Earlier this week, Morrissey canceled the remainder of a U.S. tour that was leading up to the release of his new record, World Peace Is None of Your Business, on July 15. He blamed a respiratory infection and claimed that it had been passed to him by opening act Kristeen Young, who had then decided to leave the tour. In response, Young released a statement denying the charges (she claims she had allergies, not a cold), and said that she was asked to leave.
Now, Morrissey's guitarist, Jesse Tobias, has posted a statement on True to You that blasts Young and producer Tony Visconti, who's worked with both Morrissey and Young in the past. The letter reads:
It's been quite Disheartening to see the "Facebook" Hatred thrown about by Our Former Friends/ Working Partners Kristeen Young and Tony Visconti.
I do feel that Someone needs to Speak Up for Moz in this situation as it is unbearable to watch people you once trusted , Attack and Pick Away at your Friend.
In my experience ANYONE associated with the Morrissey Camp know they are solely there because of Morrissey himself.
He chooses to tour/ work with certain people.
For Kristeen and Tony Visconti to go on about Her being better off now, without considering Morrissey's 9 years of help and promotion is Very Disappointing.
Only speaking from my experience, with the crew and Moz falling ill in Miami, for Kristeen to deny she was truly sick seems disingenuous.
I was told after the show in Miami by Crew and Security that there was some concern because Kristeen was obviously unwell.
Our crew then tried to keep her at a reasonable distance but being in such close quarters for months these things sometimes happen.
I am Upset that in this situation Kristeen could not take the tour as a whole into consideration and just comply with the postponement announcement.
One could only assume it was necessary for her to justify herself and ultimately receive some promotion out of the matter.
This combined with Tony Visconti's Parrot Like affirmation on "Facebook" that "she is better off, is Morrissey Capable of being handled?" is Repulsive.
This is a MAN who worked closely with us on a record and several sessions that Suddenly flips into Schoolgirl mode with "yeah you tell em" Chatter...??
Good Riddance to False Friends.
Jesse Tobias
The letter appears to reference the fact that Visconti—whose Facebook is actually him—apparently "liked" Young's statement on Facebook. (Is this really what we're beefing over these days: Facebook likes?)
Watch a spoken word clip for "Istanbul", from Morrissey's new record:
