Songwriter Steven Morrissey auctioning off personal belongings, seeming to monetize his life experiences.
Stephen Morrissey, co-founder and lead singer of the influential indie-rock band The Smiths, has announced his decision to sell the rights to the band, including the name, lyrics, music, publishing deals, and merchandise rights. The news, shared on Morrissey's social media with the caption "Soul for Sale," has sparked a flurry of interest and speculation.
The complexity and potential lucrative nature of the deal are noted, with the potential value being estimated in the tens of millions of dollars by InterMedia founder Evgeny Safronov. This offer could appeal to major corporations or smaller, yet established and savvy companies like Hipgnosis. However, the identity of the potential buyer remains uncertain, depending on Morrissey's asking price.
The long-standing conflict with former band members is reportedly the reason for Morrissey's decision. The deal, if successful, would create a special fund to distribute royalties among all participants, including the organiser and producer. It might be seen as Morrissey's way of saying 'fuck you' to his former band members.
Morrissey is known for his principled positions, sometimes controversial and somewhat 'cancelled' due to his views in Europe, particularly the UK. His eccentric behavior is noted by music critic Petr Pochechuk, who suggests that the deal may not go through due to the perceived prominence of the sale and Morrissey's ideological stance.
The Smiths, an influential band of the 1980s, released four albums and sold over 4 million copies. Their most successful album, "The Queen Is Dead," sold over 725,000 copies and was included in NME's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list in 2013.
A dedicated team would manage all monetizable assets if the deal goes through, ensuring the band's work reaches the public. Morrissey is open to selling his stake in the group to any investor, but no specific buyer or transaction price has been publicly disclosed yet.
This potential sale has sparked a range of reactions among fans and critics alike. As the story unfolds, one thing is certain: The Smiths' legacy will continue to captivate music lovers for years to come.
