Morrissey Walks Offstage After Being Hit By Drink
- Posted on Nov 7th 2009 6:26PM by Liz Colville
- Comments (90)
At a concert at Liverpool's Echo Arena Saturday night, Morrissey walked off stage two songs into his set after an audience member threw a drink at the singer, hitting him in the head.The Liverpool Daily Post reports that Morrissey opened the night with the Smiths hit 'This Charming Man' and was following it up with 'Black Cloud' and shaking hands with audience members when he was struck in the head.
The Post describes the drink as a "half-full plastic glass," while venue officials described it as a "bottle."
The singer said "Goodbye" and left the stage along with his band, while the audience waited, chanting, "Morrissey!"
The crowd waited 15 minutes before being told by a concert official that the show would not be resuming and that they would receive full refunds for their tickets. The crowd reacted with boos.
"We know drinks get thrown at a lot of gigs but he was hit pretty hard and looked shocked when it happened," one fan told the Post. "I'm disappointed but I'm not surprised he refused to come back on. There's so many disappointed people here."
An Echo Arena spokesperson is reviewing CCTV footage, according to the Post, and added that glass containers are not permitted in the venue.
Tonight's mishap adds to what has been a troubling year for the singer. Morrissey canceled several U.S. tour dates earlier this year due to an undisclosed illness, and he was just beginning the U.K. leg of his tour two weeks ago when he collapsed onstage during a show in Swindon. He had been suffering from respiratory problems and was kept in a Swindon hospital overnight. He was advised to rest for several days, which forced him to reschedule the Swindon show and one in Bournemouth.
But he resumed the tour in good spirits last week, opening a night at London's Royal Albert Hall by jokingly falling to the stage and welcoming the audience with the quip, "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!"
The tour, in support of his B-sides release 'Swords,' moves to Europe later this month, followed by a string of dates in the U.S.
Below is a video showing Morrissey getting hit with the drink and leaving the stage.
Reader Comments(1 of 5)
Steven Brennanat 11-07-2009
Yep, I was there, front row, it was definately a plastic glass with what looked like water in it. It hit him directly on the top of his head.
I can understand him walking off, he has been ill and this was just conveyed as utter disrespect. The offender should have been ejected (I think maybe he was eventually), but Morrissey should have given the fans another chance, after all the waiting, like we did to get front row, after years of being unable to get my hands on Morrissey tickets.
He was fantastic for just 7 mins, would have liked to see the remaining 90 mins or so. Come on Morrissey, don’t take one ‘fan’s’ total lack of respect out on us all! We don’t deserve that.
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CmdKatat 11-09-2009
That's sad that you were so disappointed and lost so much after all your patience and paying out BIG MONEY for your front row tickets. I truly feel sorry for you! Being the companion of a famous performer I know how afraid they are of the fans doing such things and reaching out to shake hands is risky, to say the least. My friend has had his clothes ripped, his private parts grabbed and women kiss him on the mouth (YUK!) and now will not go any closer than 10' to the edge of the stage. You guys should have had a shot at the mutt who ruined your night. I hope you get another chance to see him!!
mariaat 11-10-2009
I AM REPLYING TO ALL OF YOU...... I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH DISREPSECT IN MY LIFE. I AM ASSUMING THAT YOU ALL ARE OF THE AGES BETWEEN 19-28. WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS SPOILED GENERATION? I MEAN REALLY... THE MAN GOT HIT AND HE DOESNT HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS CRAP FROM STUPID LITTLE FANS! IF HE NEVER DID ANOTHER CONCERT IN HIS LIFE HE WOULD STILL BE MILES AHEAD OF ALL OF YOU. I WOULD HAVE WALKED OFF AS WELL. IT GETS TIRING FOR THEM, YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST DO DUMB THINGS AND THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES. NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THIS WAS THE CURRENT GENERATION DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH CONSEQUENCES. IT DOESNT MATTER WHO DOES THE CRIME YOU ALL PAID THE PRICE. THAT IS WHAT I TEACH MY KIDS AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAUGHT GROWING UP!
GROW UP AND NEXT TIME LOOK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR AND IF THEY DO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT RIGHT SAY THE ONE LITTLE WORD THAT COULD HAVE CHANGED THAT WHOLE NIGHT. JUST SAY NO!!!
A.at 11-10-2009
Are you nuts? The "fans" don't deserve that? Screw the fans. If I was Morrissey I would have found out who hit me, knocked his a$$ out, then walked off stage. I mean he got hit in the head with a glass bottle or whatever it was on the head. No one has to put up with that! I know I wouldn't.
merletcormponeat 11-10-2009
Although fans may be disappointed, being hit by objects thrown from the audience is unacceptable to the artist on several levels. First, throwing anything toward the stage is dangerous for performers. Objects coming from the crown are difficult, if not impossible to see because of the stage lighting. Second, if an audience has such disorderly fans that they don't know the difference between a concert and a food fight, the artists enthusiasm is not enhanced. Third, if one idiot can hit a band member, security is now in question as it has failed in it's primary function.
If security is in doubt, then the management of the band must consider the possibility that the concert crowd with soccer fan mentality may endanger other shows and the health of their band. It is not just the artist's decision, the production manager, band, manager, management group, and others all have input.
billat 11-10-2009
I thought he was retired. Anyway, If anyone's interested in working online, Here's my how to video on
youtube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtmJGx4Z8P0
Cindyat 11-10-2009
A....so your solution to violence is violence....not very adult of you
Jonathan Dryat 11-08-2009
I was at the echo arena tonight. the last time I went to see Mozza was with the Smiths in 1987 at the Preston Guild Hall and guess what? He left the stage after something was thrown. I am gutted that this has happened to me again. He really is a stubborn and stupid man. 8500 people hung out to dry cos he can't swallow his pride and come back on. It was only a plastic cup! Should not have been thrown but please, lets get this into perspective. many people traveled a long way and paid a lot of money for tickets. He has no respect for his fans and for me he has lost something tonight.
destingrayat 11-10-2009
Respect is not shown. Respect is earned! He should have never given their money back after wasting his time to try and provide rude fans with his entertainment. Go sue the moron who ruined the show for your ticket money!
Alex Lincolnat 11-08-2009
I agree, it was plastic, £36 a ticket, been a Morrissey fan for years but wont be seeing him again due to his recent hissy fits, really angry, we were not told were getting a refund though
Calat 11-09-2009
Well, you are both wrong since it was a plastic bottle. IT is clear on the video. I don't blame him for walking off, except that it seems to be a pattern w/ this guy. Why are you all still fans of his? He does seem to have an ego that is out of whack and overinflated.
Mark Murphyat 11-08-2009
Totally agree with Alex, his ridiculous ego tantrums are getting out of hand. Lets not forget he also left the stage early when he played the Empire earlier in the year.
To be honest I only saw the plastic cup graze his shoulder from where i was, for the announcer to say he was hit by a bottle (which you cant take into the arena and aren't sold in the arena) demonstrates that everyone knew going off after being hit by a plastic cup was a ridiculous excuse.
Very Very sad Morrissey - your utter contempt for fans is shocking!
Am I still ill?at 11-08-2009
The blokes a disgrace. If you ask me the all thing was orchestrated. after the first song he was sweating like a rapist and panting like a Bull Dog. In my opinion he never intended finishing the set. I had a good view of the stage and it was definitely a half full plastic glass(Morrissey would see it as half empty though)End of career me thinks.
dannyat 11-09-2009
your a discrace stfu u ungratfull idiot , no one needs a fan like you .
clint ecclesat 11-08-2009
morrissey was hit on the top of his head with a plastic volvic water bottle with no lid on(i know this as i was right at the front to the left of him just as the bottle hit him).when he was hit he really looked shocked,one of the stage crew came on and picked up the bottle and wiped away the water of the stage.morrissey looked more shocked at singing to a half empty echo arena,and its my opinion that he looked dissapointed but he still put on a mint show(what we seen of it anyhow).i love this man and have waited since 87 to see him,the show was worth every penny to me i would have walked off too.mozza your over inflated ego is sometimes a menace but last night you did the right thing,only wish that a**e hole hadnt turned up
andyat 11-09-2009
that,s the third time i,ve seen him and every time he,s walked off early.i will not be going back and anyone who was there last night gives him another chance wants their heads examined.ps.the cd,s are in the bin.
garyat 11-08-2009
Don't blame him blame the thick scouser that threw the bottle, I have been to loads of gig's and payed lot's of money to see people I like and have so far resisted the temptation to throw a bottle plastic or otherwise at them. I have seen Primal Scream do the same,Funny they both happened in self pity city
Meat 11-08-2009
Gary and Marti,
Yes EVERYONE in that arena last night was a actually from Liverpool. Can you actually read, or did you decide to ignore peoples comments that they had travelled from all over the country for this gig? Were you there? Are you even Morrissey fans? Or did you just grab this opportunity to comment on our city?
Would LOVE to know what palacial areas you both live in, guess i wont find out though, eh?
By the way Gary there is no apostrophe in 'gigs' or 'lots' (but what would i know, i'm just a 'thick scouser' )
onlyahoboat 11-08-2009
At the arena they sell lager in plastic bottles, though the stewards were telling the crowd to pour the drinks into plastic "glasses" on their way in. I noticed a few of the plastic bottles got through. I'm pretty sure it was one of these that hit Morrissey.