Most music catalogue sales begin with quiet conversations behind the scenes, and perhaps a media leak or two to drum up interest.
Not in the case of The Smiths frontman Morrissey, who opted for a blog post to announce plans to sell his business interests in the pioneering British band.
“I am burnt out by any and all connections to [bandmates] Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations,” wrote Morrissey.
“With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution.”
The post said that the sale will include the band’s name, artwork, merch rights, compositions, recordings, sync rights and contractual rights for Smiths publishing.
An entertaining (“the musty whiff of a yard sale”) but also well-researched piece by Music Ally contributor Eamonn Forde in the Guardian explains some of the potential challenges, including the fact that Morrissey is not the sole owner for many of these rights.
