It's official: Morrissey canceled the remainder of his North American tour due to medical issues. The official statement was posted on Facebook earlier this evening:
"It is with great sadness that the remainder of the US Tour has been cancelled. The respiratory infection Morrissey contracted in Miami has worsened, and in the interest of making a full recovery, all further touring plans have been halted. Morrissey thanks his fans for their compassion, understanding, and well-wishes during this difficult period as he recuperates."
Another, more detailed, statement was posted on True To You. The statement calls out opening act Kristeen Young for allegedly spreading the respiratory virus that was too much for the crew and Morrissey to overcome:
"Morrissey announces the close down of the present U.S. tour with "unimaginable sorrow". On Saturday, June 7th, following the show at Boston Opera House, Morrissey collapsed and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where doctors treated Morrissey for "acute fever". Difficulties had arisen on May 31st following Kristeen Young's opening set at the Miami Knight Concert Hall, after which Kristeen confessed to "a horrendous cold", the symptoms of which were passed on to Morrissey resulting in the cancellation of the next show in Atlanta.
For the good of all, Kristeen was asked to step down from the immediate upcoming shows, but instead she decided to leave the tour entirely. Morrissey and the band wish her well and hope she is now in good health.
Morrissey received medical attention in Miami, and once again in Boston, but it was not enough to shake off the virus, the recovery time for which is too lengthy to meet the final 9 shows of the tour."
Kristeen Young, by the way, denies the claim of "confessing to a cold" and posted her own statement on the matter on her Facebook. The post is unavailable at the moment, however several sites, including Pitchfork, are reporting the statement as follows:
"Ok. Regarding the recent True-to-you statement from Morrissey: I did not "confess to a horrendous cold". On Monday, June 2nd, I had an allergy attack that was over within 16 hours. I went to a doctor (on Monday, June 2nd), an allergy specialist, who gave me drugs for allergies...and they worked. I explained this (early on Tuesday, June 3rd) and offered this doctor's phone number to Morrissey personally, via email, and the tour manager, Donnie Knutson (for proof....since they seemed to doubt me). But, they NEVER followed up with me or said doctor. Also....it is incorrect that I "decided to leave the tour completely". I was asked to leave. Was called (in the presence of my band as witnesses) by Morrissey's booking agent, Dave Tamaroff, and told that there would be a new support band in Boston. I am very sorry that Morrissey is not feeling well. But I will not tolerate these lies....particularly about my health. This is really too much and bizarre."
Regardless of which story you believe, the tour has been canceled and refunds are available at point of purchase.
Published June 10th, 2014 @ 11:35 PM