posted by davidt on Friday January 19 2001, @12:30PM
Link from Walter:

REM approached to duet with Morrissey at Brit Awards - NME (Jan. 19)
REM have been approached to do a duet with ex-SMITHS vocalist MORRISSEY at this year's BRIT AWARDS, NME.COM can exclusively reveal. An awards insider told NME.COM this afternoon (January 19) that the seminal US rockers are "in the running" to perform at this year's awards as part of the promotion for their forthcoming new album 'Reveal'.

He said: "REM are definitely in the running to open the event, but they're trying to pull Morrissey into doing it as well. They're frantically trying to contact him as we speak!"

If the collaboration does come off, it will mark a sensational return to the UK for the singer, who has maintained a low UK profile since his last tour in November and December 1999. Last year, he toured the US and South America, but remained outside the UK.

During the '80s, The Smiths and REM had a mutual respect, and it was reported that Stipe and Morrissey became friends. It is unclear whether the pair have remained in recent contact.

An official spokesperson for The Brit awards confirmed that REM are on their "target list" this year, but stressed that a decision on their performance was yet to be made by the band.

The official spokesperson for REM has denied the band will have any involvement with this year's awards, saying that the band have no plans to visit Europe in the near future.

The Brit Awards have a history of high profile artists collaborating on stage. In recent years PJ Harvey has duetted with Bjork, David Bowie duetted with Placebo, Jamiroquai's Jay Kay performed with Diana Ross, and Robbie Williams andTom Jones blasted through a 'Full Monty' medley in 1998.

If the REM/Morrissey duet does occur, it is unclear what song will be performed. This year's awards take place at Earl's Court in London on February 26.
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  • Morrissey! don't be dumb. pick up the phone. stop crying about your record deal. get back on TV. some of us dorks would like that.
    ideal -- Friday January 19 2001, @01:16PM (#6679)
    (User #1492 Info)
    I will surely never find a girlfriend here...
    • Re:go man go! by Birrohead (Score:1) Friday January 19 2001, @02:35PM
  • ...But also a tad unlikely, I think! Moz at the Brit awards...whatever will they think of next?? Still, what tremendous exposure it would be if there is any truth in the rumour. Just think of all those Westlife fans sitting in front of their televisions saying, "Who's that man, Daddy??!"
    However, I'm afraid the Brits' stabs at respectability are long since gone, and Morrissey would appear somewhat out of place. Still, if it was to happen, I wouldn't complain.
    Boy With The Thorn -- Friday January 19 2001, @02:36PM (#6681)
    (User #1359 Info | http://www.kraftwerk.com/)
    Reliably devious and truculent.
  • Sing with U2 instead!!!

    Morrissey, U2, and rem all on the same bill? Not too shabby...
    Anonymous -- Friday January 19 2001, @03:35PM (#6682)
  • Morrissey was in the U.K for his last tour wasn't he ?
    eamon hanka -- Friday January 19 2001, @03:49PM (#6684)
    (User #2202 Info)
  • NME writes first confusing story of the new year
    New Years day is a celebration of the spirit. Attention always turns to the first born child of the new year, and it's not just humans. On January 19th, we welcome into the world a 10 pound pile of shit birthed by it's mother the NME.

    Mother and child are resting comfortably.

    The article claims Morrissey and REM are to duet together, but end the article making the reader wonders if REM even knows what a Brit Award is.

    While many moz-soloites were happy that Moz was emerging from his dungeon to see if he sees his shadow and possibly prolonging a drought of new material, others were confused by the nature of the article.

    Dr. Carl Sagan was contacted via ouija board to explain.

    "Of all the billions and billions of stars available to perform, the NME has reported that REM and Morrissey are to perform. Later, in the same paragraph, they make it sound like Morrissey hasn't even been contacted. They later end the article by saying REM has no plans to go to Europe. I don't see how this computes."

    The author of "Contact" rules out the possibility of technology, terrestrial or otherwise.

    "I don't imagine them broadcasting the performance via satellite, and I can't imagine aliens getting involved. I do see a possibility of all performers being kidnapped and being forced to perform."

    For those who may not remember, NME was also the same magazine who said that Morrissey and Marr could reunite at Coachella in 1999.
    suzanne -- Friday January 19 2001, @04:13PM (#6687)
    (User #36 Info)
    I scare dead people.
  • Was'nt Morrissey once nominated for a Brit Award?

    P.S There's a new person in charge of the awards this year and he's a right arsehole. Caught a radio interview with him this week where he was fawning over Robbie Williams.... Prick.

    He mentioned how he was once in a band, of whom I have never heard. Once again a "failed bassist" running riot on the British music scene.
    Anonymous -- Friday January 19 2001, @04:28PM (#6689)
  • If Morrissey were to sing, then it would be a major coup for all his UK fans, of which
    I am one of the finest.

    I can just dream that Morrissey will arrive on stage - with or without REM - sing a shortened song and walk off stage, front left, leaving
    everyone in the hall wondering what happened.

    I would like to bet a pound coin that
    a song by Kirsty Macoll would be a winner.

    He's hoping that the TV is live and
    this is a night to remember, for all of us.

    hazard -- Friday January 19 2001, @06:02PM (#6696)
    (User #1827 Info)
  • "So why do smile when you think about Earls Court,
    and yet you cry when you think of all the battles you've fought and lost?"

    David Alice have you thought about this one?

    It could go on forever!
    jungfiend <[email protected]> -- Friday January 19 2001, @10:29PM (#6698)
    (User #580 Info)
  • Commenting on Paul Weller's Brit Award for Best Male Solo Artist, for which Morrissey was also nominated:

    "You probably didn't notice, but I didn't win a BPI award last week...and...I have never been so relieved in my life"

    He didn't attend the awards when nominated, so I certainly wouldn't expect him to in 2001.

    "Morrissey, Prove Me Wrong!"(please)
    Ghostface -- Saturday January 20 2001, @08:08AM (#6701)
    (User #255 Info)
  • Is'nt Morrissey "friendly" with the chairman of the Brit Awards Tony Wadsworth?
    Anonymous -- Saturday January 20 2001, @09:08AM (#6702)
  • Naw, I've changed my mind...forget REM... What I really want to see is a Morrissey-Britney duet! And isn't Britney supposed to be at the Brits anyway, unlike REM? It'd be so much easier to arrange...
    Imagine it, the sexy teenage American "virgin" with the forty-something English celibate... Now, I've just got to think what they should sing! Any ideas for a song? Or can anyone think of any other intriguing Moz duets??
    Boy With The Thorn -- Saturday January 20 2001, @10:29AM (#6704)
    (User #1359 Info | http://www.kraftwerk.com/)
    Reliably devious and truculent.
  • I think they should do a Bowie cover: "Drive in Saturday" or "Starman" - or if they want to be cool, "Always Crashing in the Same Car."

    suedehead -- Saturday January 20 2001, @12:14PM (#6708)
    (User #360 Info)
  • It would be a disaster! morrissey has principles, that's why we like him - not giving someone what they want makes them want it more.It takes gut's to be gentle and kind...
    Anonymous -- Saturday January 20 2001, @01:35PM (#6709)
  • can someone remove the drool from my mouth please???!!! what a devine idea! although i'd give my right arm for a mozz and robbie duet...But that won't happen!!! lol! but to see mozz ANYWHERE at this point is wonderful, so i say, bring it on!!!! here's hopin behbeh!!

    p.s. Morrissey and Britney Spears? what moron thought of that! she's braindead big-boobed white trash.. Our man Steven is a fully functional thought provoking old-school brit who is shagtastic! ok... i'm done!

    later days my friends :-)
    Maplefreak -- Sunday January 21 2001, @12:39PM (#6732)
    (User #1234 Info)
    And the songs we sing, they're not supposed to mean a thing...
  • http://www.remhq.com/html/news/dispatch/jan_22_01a.html

    R.E.M. official site denies that REM is considering a BRIT award appearance and wonders how these rumours get started! No mention of a duet with Moz.
    Anonymous -- Tuesday January 23 2001, @03:53PM (#6810)
  • could you imagine REM kicking it off with Orange Crush and Morrissey runs out during the guitar solo and they break into Bigmouth Strikes again.
    ands johnny Marr rips up the guitar breaks. and then they duet it's the end of the world while Morrissey wails into i an the last of the famous international playboys boths songs going at the same time All is right with the World again
    Anonymous -- Monday January 29 2001, @10:48PM (#7123)


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