ejcmp writes:

There is a Q&A section (May 2004) in the Pet Shop Boys website and when asked about Vertinsky, Neil Tennant had this to say.....

to listen to his songs walking the side-streets in the centre when they are empty it is easy to imagine that horse with carriage may appear from behind the corner.!Vertinsky was a star, famous almost like you;) but some years earlier, approximately since 1916-1917.It was very fashionable to fall in love with him among girls (even intelligent). It was also fashionable to poison oneself because of unhappy love.

Answer:
Thankfully, that's less fashionable these days. Now Morrissey makes albums as an alternative to this. N

He has mentioned moz before. Actually he says a couple of songs are sung from Moz's point of view.....