After weeks of veiled jabs and escalating tensions, the ongoing feud between former Smiths bandmates Johnny Marr and Morrissey has taken a dramatic turn, with Morrissey dismissing his management team. This decision comes shortly after Marr’s camp addressed the various allegations made against him by Morrissey.
The recent reunion of Oasis has reignited speculation about other band comebacks, including The Smiths, who famously disbanded in 1987 amid growing strife between Marr and Morrissey. Despite both musicians consistently denying any plans to reunite, Morrissey hinted that a proposal for a 2025 tour had been considered.
Though fans were skeptical—especially after the passing of bassist Andy Rourke last year—Morrissey accepted the proposal, while Marr rejected it, leading Morrissey’s team to claim that Marr had “ignored” the offer.
This rejection only deepened the rift, prompting Morrissey to unleash a series of public insults and accusations against Marr. In response, Marr, who has also enjoyed a thriving solo career post-Smiths, felt compelled to defend himself, clarifying, “I didn’t ignore the offer—I said no.” This clarification seemed to further extinguish any hopes for a Smiths reunion, and it likely put Morrissey in an awkward position, as Marr successfully refuted many of his claims.
In the wake of this escalating conflict, Morrissey issued a terse statement on his website announcing that he had severed ties with Red Light Management and Pete Galli Management. This move appears to stem from dissatisfaction with how the ongoing speculation about a Smiths reunion and the public quarrels were being handled.
Throughout their tumultuous history, Morrissey has thrown numerous insults at Marr. Recently, he suggested that Marr had attempted to trademark The Smiths’ name for personal profit, a claim that was less than accurate. In response, Marr’s spokesperson clarified that in 2018, after learning that the trademark was not owned by the band, Marr had approached Morrissey to collaboratively protect the name. When Morrissey did not respond, Marr proceeded to register the trademark himself, an action that was later agreed upon with Morrissey’s lawyers to be held for their mutual benefit.
Reportedly, Marr had even offered Morrissey joint ownership of the trademark earlier this year, which Morrissey seemingly ignored. The statement added, “In January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey, but it requires Morrissey’s signature to be finalized.”
On top of the trademark controversy, Morrissey’s camp made further claims regarding the potential reunion, stating that in June 2024, AEG Entertainment had proposed a lucrative global tour for both Morrissey and Marr in 2025. Morrissey accepted the offer, while Marr allegedly ignored it. Morrissey’s team also took a jab at Marr’s solo career, noting, “Morrissey will embark on a mostly sold-out tour of the USA in November, while Marr continues to tour as a special guest for New Order.” To which Marr countered, “Regarding the tour offer, I didn’t ignore it—I said no.”