Morrissey has called off all of the remaining dates for his US tour.
The announcement came through a press statement that read:
It is with great sadness that the remainder of the US Tour has been cancelled. The respiratory infection Morrissey contracted in Miami has worsened, and in the interest of making a full recovery, all further touring plans have been halted. Morrissey thanks his fans for their compassion, understanding, and well-wishes during this difficult period as he recuperates.
A lengthier statement was posted at True-to-You.com that points the finger at tour opener Kristeen Young as the source for the illness.
Morrissey announces the close down of the present U.S. tour with “unimaginable sorrow”.
On Saturday, June 7th, following the show at Boston Opera House, Morrissey collapsed and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where doctors treated Morrissey for “acute fever”.
Difficulties had arisen on May 31st following Kristeen Young’s opening set at the Miami Knight Concert Hall, after which Kristeen confessed to “a horrendous cold”, the symptoms of which were passed on to Morrissey resulting in the cancellation of the next show in Atlanta.
For the good of all, Kristeen was asked to step down from the immediate upcoming shows, but instead she decided to leave the tour entirely. Morrissey and the band wish her well and hope she is now in good health.
Morrissey received medical attention in Miami, and once again in Boston, but it was not enough to shake off the virus, the recovery time for which is too lengthy to meet the final 9 shows of the tour.
Morrissey and the band are otherwise delighted and very grateful for their experiences on the U.S. tour, some shows of which they considered to be their best-ever, most notably:
1 BOSTON Opera House
2 LOS ANGELES Sports Arena
3 BEAUMONT Julie Rogers Theater
4 NASHVILLE Ryman Auditorium
5 MEMPHIS Orpheum Theater
Kristeen Young has responded to Morrisey’s allegation, writing:
Ok. Regarding the recent True-to-you statement from Morrissey: I did not “confess to a horrendous cold”. On Monday, June 2nd, I had an allergy attack that was over within 16 hours. I went to a doctor (on Monday, June 2nd), an allergy specialist, who gave me drugs for allergies…and they worked. I explained this (early on Tuesday, June 3rd) and offered this doctor’s phone number to Morrissey personally, via email, and the tour manager, Donnie Knutson (for proof….since they seemed to doubt me). But, they NEVER followed up with me or said doctor. Also….it is incorrect that I “decided to leave the tour completely”. I was asked to leave. Was called (in the presence of my band as witnesses) by Morrissey’s booking agent, Dave Tamaroff, and told that there would be a new support band in Boston. I am very sorry that Morrissey is not feeling well. But I will not tolerate these lies….particularly about my health. This is really too much and bizarre.
The singer’s last U.S. tour was also cancelled halfway through due to illness.
Some things are certain in life…death, taxes and Morrissey having to postpone some shows.
After putting off appearances in Atlanta (for the fourth time!) and Atlantic City, an unknown virus has forced Moz to cancel additional dates in Baltimore tonight and Washington tomorrow night.
The postponements first came to light on the 9:30 Club’s Facebook page:
IMPORTANT INFO: At the advice of Morrissey Official’s medical team, Baltimore at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is now rescheduled for June 24 and the The Lincoln Theatre in Washington DC is rescheduled for June 25. All tickets previously purchased will be honored for the new dates. #MozMeyerhoff #MozLincoln
His next scheduled show is Friday in Chicago.
As with Morrissey’s tours over the last couple of years, this one has had a number of problems, including the current illness. In addition, the tour opener, Kristeen Young, abruptly left the tour the tour last Thursday, saying “We won’t be continuing as opening band for the Morrissey tour. Thanks to all who showed up early and gave us such life-sustaining enthusiasm. Thanks to Morrissey for his years of support and generosity. There are lots of plans and lots of possibilities and we can’t wait to tear into them.”
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