CityLife

Mozza's magic moments

SARAH Walters takes a look back at Mozza's magic moments down the years:

Being celibate
After 22 years as alternative music's most famous abstainer, Moz announced earlier this year that, Yes!, he had in fact done "it". Apparently he's been doing it since the 1980s, and it was with an almost boyish pride that he busted all those old myths on Ringleader Of The Tormentors. The debate as to his orientation, however, still rages.

Being sued
"There was a terrible miscarriage of justice," Morrissey told the British media following his defeat at the High Court by Smiths drummer Mike Joyce after being sued by his former band-mate over royalties. "It's been really shocking and I wish the very, very worst for Joyce for the rest of his life." Hell, it seems, hath no fury like a Mozfather scorned.

Being big in America
Moz still garners huge support in the States, but nowhere more ferociously than among the Hispanic community in his former home of LA. His 1999 Oye Esteban tour was dedicated to his Latino fans and he's quoted as telling them: "I wish I was born Mexican." Some link his appeal to American culture's love of nostalgic films, styles and music, while others pin it on his status as a misfit - or an underdog - in a foreign culture.

Being back home
It must have been a nervous moment, walking out in front of 15,000 in a city you've deliberately avoided for more than a decade. Still, trust Mozza to do it in style and pick the biggest venue in Manchester to stage his homecoming. These days, there's no getting rid of him...

Being opinionated
Whether it's politics, pop music, animal rights or vegetarianism, you can always rely on Moz for a few choice words on a hot topic. In his time, he's called for the execution of Margaret Thatcher, campaigned to kick George Bush Jnr out of office, requested the head of Elton John, refused to play in Canada until it bans seal clubbing and made all manner of veggie protests, the most famous being The Smiths' Meat Is Murder album.