12 months ago
Morrissey Selling Stake in The Smiths' Assets for Potential Big Money
Imagine a famous band called The Smiths broke up a long time ago.
Now, the singer, Morrissey, who helped create the band's music, wants to sell his part of the band.
This means whoever buys his part would get to use the band's name, music, and even sell their stuff.
It could be worth a lot of money!
Morrissey feels tired of dealing with the other members of the band.
The guitarist, Johnny Marr, once tried to trademark the band's name.
Even though there was a reunion offer, Marr declined.
Morrissey is now taking offers, and it's a big deal in the music world!
Morrissey is selling his stake in The Smiths, including the name and music rights.
The sale could potentially earn Morrissey tens of millions of dollars.
Morrissey cites burnout from band connections as his reason.
Johnny Marr trademarked the band's name in 2018 and later signed a joint ownership to Morrissey.
A reunion tour was considered but rejected by Marr.
- Who
- Morrissey, the lead singer of The Smiths, is selling his stake in the band.
- What
- Morrissey is selling his rights to The Smiths' name, music, and merchandise.
- Where
- N/A
- When
- Morrissey announced the sale in recent news.
- Why
- Morrissey stated he is burnt out by connections to his former bandmates.
Morrissey's View
Johnny Marr's View
Band Relationships
Morrissey's View
Morrissey feels burnt out by connections to former band members.
Johnny Marr's View
N/A
Trademark
Morrissey's View
Morrissey claimed Marr trademarked The Smiths name without consultation.
Johnny Marr's View
Marr stated that Morrissey did not respond to a trademark, leading him to register it, and later signing joint ownership to Morrissey.
Key facts
- What's for Sale?
- Morrissey's 50% stake in The Smiths' name, artwork, merchandise, songs, publishing, and recordings.
- Seller
- Morrissey
- Potential Earnings
- Possibly running into the tens of millions
- Band's Breakup
- 1987
- Offer from AEG Entertainment Group
- For a reunion tour that was declined by Johnny Marr.
- Johnny Marr trademark
- Registered the trademark of The Smiths in 2018 and later signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey in January 2024
Quotes
Marr
Smiths guitarist
“A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself.”
deadline.com
“It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey’s lawyers that this trademark was held for the mutual benefit of Morrissey and Marr.”
deadline.com
Morrissey
The singer and former frontman of The Smiths
“has no choice but to offer for sale all of his business interests in ‘The Smiths’ to any interested party / investor.”
deadline.com
“I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce.”
deadline.com
Johnny Marr
Smiths guitarist
“It was a little bit about principles, but I’m not an idiot.”
deadline.com
“I just think the vibe’s not right.”
deadline.com
