Letters written by a teenage Morrissey to a pen pal have emerged five decades on, showing the future Smiths frontman savaging fellow musicians and declaring himself a genius. The collection of 66 letters, penned between 1974 and 1979, is being sold by the family of the recipient, Birmingham poet Simon Pitt, at Dawsons Auctioneers in Maidenhead and could fetch more than £22,000 in August.
Criticizing Fellow Musicians
In an April 1975 letter when he was 15, Morrissey wrote: “Ringo Starr is very overrated and I don't like his beard. A Barry White gig would be murder. Patti Smith is disgraceful looking.” He also shared his disappointment after seeing the Sex Pistols live twice at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall in 1976, calling them “pathetic” and “just plain bad. Period.”
Self-Confidence and Stardom
Morrissey had a high opinion of himself, announcing he was “all set for superstardom” after joining his first band, The Nosebleeds, in 1976. “I'm in showbusiness,” he wrote. “I'll spring on this unsuspecting world yet! But then, I've always been a star, haven't I?” In another letter, he wrote: “I always said I was a genius but nobody listened.”
Political Views and Admiration
The letters also capture his political views. He bemoaned Margaret Thatcher's 1979 General Election win, writing: “Did you vote? Labour, I hope? God knows what tortures that miserable Thatcher has prepared for us working class folk.” Among the few performers he admired were Don McLean and Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople. He said: “Wouldn't mind going to see Don McLean. Ian Hunter has a hit on his hands.”
Auction Details and Expert Comment
Peter Mason, auctioneer and senior valuer at Dawsons, said: “It is exceptionally rare for an archive of this depth and intimacy to emerge. These letters offer a previously unseen insight into the formative years of one of Britain's most distinctive and influential lead singers, years before he found international fame as the frontman of The Smiths. What struck me most was just how funny Morrissey is. Running through almost every letter is a wonderful sense of humour and genuine warmth that makes him an incredibly endearing character.”
