[tweetmeme]As we await word as to whether The Smiths will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year, news from the band’s former leaders: Johnny Marr on Monday canceled the remainder of his U.S. tour dates over a “serious close family illness,” while Morrissey revealed in an interview that he’s written a new album and will record it in February.
Over the weekend, Marr initially canceled a trio of dates in Victoria and Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle over the illness, but on Monday scrubbed the remaining nine dates of his tour, all on the West Coast. Tickets can be refunded at the point of purchase, and Marr promised “we will do everything we can to rescheduled the dates.”
The guitarist released the following statement:
“I’m really disappointed to not be able to play the shows. The touring has been so enjoyable for me and the band and the audiences have been great everywhere. If it was about just me being unwell I would’ve found a way to continue as I did when I broke my hand earlier in the year, but to not be there for one of my family is not right. Thank you to everyone for the kind messages. See you soon. Johnny. x”
See Marr’s canceled dates below.
As for Morrissey, the singer, who is on tour in Europe, reveals in an interview with Serbian website b92 (via Morrissey-solo.com) that he’s already working on a follow-up to World Peace Is None of Your Business, which suffered from a highly publicized dispute between the singer and his label last summer.
“We wrote a new album and I hope that we will record in February,” Morrissey said.
Johnny Marr’s canceled tour dates:
Dec. 6: Sugar Nightclub, Victoria, BCDec. 7: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BCDec. 8: Neumos, Seattle, WADec. 10: Wonder Ballroom, Portland, ORDec. 11: Wow Hall, Eugene, ORDec. 12: Ace of Spades, Sacramento, CADec. 14: The Independent, San Francisco, CADec. 15: The Independent, San Francisco, CADec. 16: Glass House, Pomona, CADec. 18: Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CADec. 19: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CADec. 20: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
