Dear Judge Judy,
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Morrissey and Marr got greedy.' Some wouldn't say 'greedy', though it's easy to see and label them that way. Excited/surprised that they were starting to actually make money as it progressed and maybe because of their backgrounds and prior economic positions I could see (if we were to put ourselves in their shoes) that the reaction
to this change of having money and deciding on how to divide or how best to handle the situation wasn't done in a clearheaded way, they were young and they are artists (at the time no heads for numbers and paper work, I could imagine) and coming from their backgrounds should all be taken into consideration before we simply call them 'greedy'.
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But once the money started rolling in that 25% started to seem like too much.' Yes, it's hard to judge and make the call to say that they were right or wrong, but for their reasons(unknown to us) they maybe did feel it was too much of a cut to give them based on their own judgement of what they felt was due to Andy & Mike in their contributions to the songs and maybe more importantly their contributions to the overall work of the band, everything from management to the artistic vision of the band.
For the percentage given to A&M was not only based on for playing in the Smiths but for being in the Smiths ( as far as work goes in the studio and what they bring on spot to the almost already finished compositions) and the percentage is also based ( in my guessing to M&M's judgment,I could be wrong)on how much work A&M didn't have to do in regards to things other than working in the studio and performing the songs live.
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I don't think Joyce was aware of the percentage change. Since they all had the same lawyer and accountant it would have been sort of awkward to ask for details. Besides that he was busy working all the time and enjoying his status as drummer in one of the most important bands of the day.' yes, agree. But I thought he did have issues of the percentage given during the time the band was in operation.
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On top of that, once the money started coming in he was still being paid more than he had been. If you were getting 25% of a very small amount of money, and then suddenly you got 10% but the amount being divided was exponentially larger, you would be getting a lot more money.' So yes, I could see then on how one would think he wasn't aware of the percentage change. Though....
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It actually shows Mike's good character that he didn't suddenly want complete accountings to make sure he was getting paid everything he was owed.' I don't know if it would/could be called 'good character', I would call it.. he was just happy at the time that his pockets were being filled and so he wasn't aware of a percentage change if as you say is true about the Smiths bringing in more money as they progressed, which does sound feasible.
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And when they weren't on tour they were in the studio. They didn't really have time to think about the money.'
yes, agree, but one still needs money for a place to live to come back to when the tour is over, also one needs to house ones possessions.
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Also, it's established that there were two sets of alliance. One was Morrissey and Marr, but then there was Marr, Joyce, and Rourke. I'm sure that Mike felt his contributions were appreciated and he was spending long hours working in the studio.' yes, 'two alliances', three actually! in regards to Marr if you want to take into account his relationship with Angie and her contributions to the Smiths. But yes... Johnny had A LOT on his head and worked hard for his cut juggling these 'alliances' and writing songs and keeping the band together(management). And yes, I'm sure Mikes contributions were appreciated... but when working in a band as a unit ...then everyone hopes their contributions are being appreciated... and that appreciation and being involved in such a great and important band is what he should have been grateful for, but being human with all our faults, maybe he felt that wasn't enough. I don't know.
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Morrissey was working at the same time but he would have been giving interviews and doing promotion. He was rewarded for that though partly because it was what he wanted to do, and because it helped him create the career he still has today'
But I don't think he had the foresight to see or believe that the 'promotion' work he was doing at that time would benefit some future solo career. I believe I read that he felt his solo move could have flopped and was surprised that it took off in the way that it did during 'Viva' or the singles charting prior to 'Viva', I'm just saying this in regards to his belief in himself.
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Those drum parts Mike worked long hours on are part of the composition. He didn't get paid for that. So it's only fair that he get his fair share for performance royalties.' I agree he should get his 'get his fair share for performance royalties'. Though as far as 'contributions' go these 'contributions' are the duties expected of all the members in the band in contribution to what M&M already bring in. All members of the band contribute to the composition that is already there to form it and make it complete... Mike adds the drums, Andy the bass, Marr guitars,rhythm,lead,etc and Morrissey words,voice,melody lines. Now with each contribution, each band member brings their own thing to the ideas and the vision that M&M have already supplied. Each members contribution
is important,
but some of those contributions are
more needed and unique than others which is what made the Smiths stand out as they did and still do today.
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Here is what it all comes down to.' if you think so, and some of it I agree with.
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Morrissey chose to take it to court rather than make an offer. He lost. Case closed.' Lost in regards to the courts ruling yes, but when I look at the bigger picture.. who really lost? I don't see it as being Morrissey.
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If he (Morrissey)
was any sort of rational adult' God forbid that he was or will ever be a 'rational adult'!
I don't think he could have made the records he did or of be the the person he is and that we love if he was merely a 'rational adult'.
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Instead we get the never ending victim complex, horrible songs about Mike Joyce, and the destruction of The Smiths legacy at least compared to what could have been.' If you think. Though we don't know what could have been if Mike was able to see the bigger picture and not do as he did then maybe the Smiths could have reformed,which would have benefited him more,but no.
Would have, should have, could have.. we'll never know. I mean the rest of your post is just an opinion as all of our comments and replys are just that, opinions. It's hard tell what the turn out would be if the Smiths reunited now. I think M is doing very well considering the pop world climate,etc. For the case being closed? I don't know what you really mean. As far as anyone can see... Morrissey is not the one who lost, but the one who has won.