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Morrissey's Early Letters Reveal Rockstar Ambitions
25 Jul
Summary
- Young Morrissey's letters detail dreams of superstardom.
- Correspondence from ages 14-20 to be auctioned in London.
- Letters offer insights into punk music and 1970s Britain.
An archive of letters written by a young Steven Morrissey between the ages of 14 and 20 is expected to achieve £22,000 at auction. These missives, addressed to a pen friend in Birmingham, showcase Morrissey's early ambition to become a rock 'n' roll star or an actor, and his declaration of being a genius.
The correspondence, spanning 1974 to 1979, documents his vivid experiences, including seeing The Sex Pistols and his less-than-favorable review of their performance. He also recounts meeting notable figures and visiting New York's CBGB's, alongside his early role as vocalist for The Nosebleeds.
Morrissey's letters also touch upon political sentiments, expressing concern over Margaret Thatcher's election as prime minister in 1979 and its potential impact on the working class. The final letter indicates his involvement with a London band that had secured a recording contract.
Auctioneers noted the prominent sense of humor and warmth in the letters, capturing the emergence of a unique talent and offering a snapshot of Britain's cultural shifts in the 1970s.
