Richard Martin writes:

I don't know if anyone has noticed this already, but the Guardian newspaper are planning to release a Morrissey interview in mid-February. An exact date was not given, but as it came from the Sunday magazine part of the newspaper, i presume it will be 15th Feb. They mentioned last week that the inteview was conducted in his current recording studio, and focuses on life in L.A. and reasons why he considers this album one of his most important ever.

Ruffian writes:

Extract from the Times on-line Obituary. Attention to last paragraph.

Hal Shaper, songwriter, was born on July 18, 1931. He died on January 8, 2004, aged 72.

South African songwriter whose vast output included hits for several generations of stars

In A career of almost half a century, Hal Shaper wrote songs that were covered by most of the biggest names in the business. He wrote more than 650, and those who recorded them included Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Barbra Streisand and Dusty Springfield. He composed for films, shared the writing of a brace of hit West End musicals and was also an astute businessman who had a successful second career as a publisher of other people’s songs. In later years, he returned to his native South Africa and devoted his energy to the cultural promotion of “the rainbow nation”.

Anonymous writes:

Folk rock genius Stephen Duffy, currently visiting LA has mentioned on his website www.thelilactime.com (Feb. 2, 2004) that he spotted Morrissey in Amoeba records yesterday. Heres an extract ...

  "just as i'd decided that i really needed to hear what adam peters cello was up to with the bunnymen on the rhino re-issue of "ocean rain" a bedenimed figure in a kangol cap brushed past. Morrissey certainly wasn't in the mood for emotional rescue. i deliberated with ric as to whether i should approach him and tell him that up in the hills we speak fondly of him and refer to his work regularly. chris had only informed me yesterday that he had listened to the smiths entire cannon in alphabetical order whilst in georgia (i assumed the georgia that used to be a bit of the ussr but now i'm not sure)."

boz b writes:

In the February issue of Interview Magazine, Morrissey is mentioned in the article "Shots in the Dark" by Graham Fuller. Here is the excerpt:

          "For each young actor or actress who realizes his or her dreams of becoming a star, thousands more fall by the wayside--some after tantalizingly getting a hand on the golden ring. The singer Morrissey understood the special pain of a failed actor when he told the story of a TV has-been in the haunting "Little Man, What Now?": "Too old to be a child star/Too young to take leads," Morrissey sang. "Four seasons passed/And they axed you/Nervous juvenile/(Won't smile!)/What became of you?/Did that swift eclipse torture you?/A star at 18/And then--suddenly gone."
          "The recurring line in the song, though, is "Oh, but I remembered," the point being that once an actor touches us, his face takes up permanent residence in our hearts."

I couldn't agree more, and the same could be said for young singers. I mean, how many Morrissey fans still picture him in his younger years?

Rob of So. Cal writes:

Moz and The Smiths have been an influence on many of the bands who have gained acclaim in recent years. Regardless of their genre or style, many have mentioned being fans of the Moz. I have known for a while now that the Deftones were influenced by The Smiths (they even covered Please,Please,Please...), but I was also pleasantly surprised to find there influence on the band 311's homepage. Vocalist Nick Hexum has a list on there of what he calls the 10 best albums of all time and Louder than Bombs is number 4. I just thought that this was an interesting fact. It is also evident that even if you don't listen to Morrissey or The Smiths, you more than likley listen to someone who does.

carnal artist writes:

Just saw this on the pop gossip website: www.popbitch.com

No idea if it is true but thought it might be of interest.

"Never one for controversy
Morrissey's new album features a song called Munich Air Disaster, 1958"

For those who don't know: The Munich Air disaster involved a plane carrying most of the Manchester United football team. Many talented young sportsmen lost their lives.