Morrissey has unleashed a scathing online tirade targeting Johnny Marr over an upcoming BBC documentary that promises to dig up the dirt on their infamous feud. This latest salvo is the latest in a long-standing battle of wits, with both musicians trading blows like heavyweight champions going toe-to-toe.
The singer's lengthy statement, since removed from his website, lambasted the documentary as a 'timeworn tale' designed to take potshots at Morrissey. He accused Marr of hijacking the spotlight, claiming he's spent years dividing The Smiths fans into two camps: Marr die-hards and Morrissey loyalists. Furthermore, Morrissey alleged that Marr has taken ownership of the band's name – a move he claims was always meant for him to bear.
This is just the latest instalment in a decades-long soap opera that began when Marr left The Smiths in 1987. Previous snipes included Morrissey's allegations last August that Marr turned down a lucrative reunion tour offer and nixed a Greatest Hits album – claims Marr vehemently denied, insisting he'd said no to the reunion but hadn't ignored it.
Morrissey also took aim at producer Grant Showbiz, labelling his contributions to the documentary 'slanderous'. He claimed that Marr and other critics might be harbouring secret admiration for him, stating: "Those who spew out the same tired vitriol decade after decade are half in love with their targets – hence their romantic obsession."
The BBC documentary is set to air on 13th July, according to Morrissey's original post. The ongoing public spat has cast a shadow over the band's remarkable legacy, which continues to inspire and influence new generations of music fans. Morrissey has previously expressed a desire to sever all ties with his former bandmates, stating he was 'burnt out' by any connection to them.