List of Morrissey band members

Last updated

Morrissey and band performing in 2016 Morrissey - 29887267776.jpg
Morrissey and band performing in 2016

Morrissey is an English singer and songwriter who, since the break-up of the Smiths, has worked with several musicians throughout his career as a solo artist. His current touring band consists of guitarist Jesse Tobias (since 2005), drummer Matt Walker, bassist Solomon Walker (both of whom first joined in 2007), keyboardist Camila Grey and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg (both since 2023)

Contents

History

Several months after the Smiths broke up in 1988, Morrissey enlisted Smiths producer Stephen Street to help begin his solo career. His debut album Viva Hate (1988) featured Street on bass and guitar, Vini Reilly on guitar and keyboards and Andrew Paresi on drums. [1] His first solo performance happened on 22 December of the same year, at which he was backed by former Smiths bandmates, Craig Gannon (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). [2] [3] The three continued to play on Morrissey's singles until 1989 and 1990.

Morrissey hired a new band from 1991's Kill Uncle , consisting of Mark E. Nevin (guitar), Mark Bedford (bass), Andrew Paresi (drums, percussion), Seamus Beaghen and Steven Heart (keyboards), Nawazish Ali Khan (violin) and Linder Sterling (backing vocals). For live performances in the same year he was joined by guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, bassist Gary Day and drummer Spencer Cobrin. [4] Day and Cobrin were replaced by Jonny Bridgwood (who Day had originally replaced) and Woodie Taylor in 1993. [5] Spencer Cobrin returned in 1995. [6]

In 1999, Day returned alongside new drummer Spike T. Smith. [6] Dean Butterworth replaced Smith in 2003, joining alongside keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Manning was replaced by Michael Farrell in 2004. [7] Guitarist Jesse Tobias also joined in 2005. [8] Matt Chamberlain replaced Butterworth in 2005. [8] Day was also replaced by Solomon Walker in 2007, [9] who brought in his brother, Matt Walker on drums. [9]

Manning returned in 2008 [10] and Whyte left in 2009. Gustavo Manzur also replaced Manning in 2009, [11] as well as Mando Lopez replacing Solomon Walker on bass. [12] Walker returned in 2021, alongside Whyte and new drummer Brendan Buckley, replacing Lopez, Boorer and Matt Walker respectively. [13] Juan Galeano replaced Walker in 2022. [14] Camila Grey replaced Manzur in 2023, [15] as well as Carmen Vandenberg replacing Whyte. [16] The Walker brothers both returned in 2024. [17]

Members

Current members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
HopFarm2011-0702-036.jpg
Morrissey 1988–presentlead vocalsall releases
Jesse Tobias 1999 (cropped).jpg
Jesse Tobias 2005–presentguitarall releases from Live at Earls Court (2005) to present
Matt Walker (drummer).JPG
Matt Walker
  • 2007–2020
  • 2024–present
drumsall releases from Years of Refusal (2009) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Morrissey05 (5964429515).jpg
Solomon Walker
  • 2007–2014
  • 2021
  • 2024–present
bass
  • Years of Refusal (2009)
  • World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014)
Uh Huh Her 1.JPG
Camila Grey 2023–presentkeyboardsnone to date
Carmen Vandenberg.png
Carmen Vandenberg guitar

Former members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Stephen Street
  • 1988
  • 1989–1990
  • bass
  • guitar
  • keyboards
AndrewMcGibbon26July07.jpg
Andrew Paresi drums
Durutti column.jpg
Vini Reilly 1988
  • guitar
  • keyboards
Viva Hate (1988)
The Smiths BW (cropped).jpg
Andy Rourke 1988–1990bass
  • "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" & "Interesting Drug" (1989)
  • "November Spawned a Monster" & "Piccadilly Palare" (1990)
Mike Joyce.jpg
Mike Joyce 1988–1989drums"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" & "Interesting Drug" (1989)
Craig Gannon guitar
Neil Taylor 1989
Matthew Seligman, Alexandra Arms, Cambridge, UK (April 2018).jpg
Matthew Seligman 1989 (died 2020)bass"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" (1989)
Kevin Armstrong. 2014.jpg
Kevin Armstong 1989–1990guitar
  • "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" (1989)
  • "November Spawned a Monster" & "Piccadilly Palare" (1990)
Mark E. Nevin 1990–1991Kill Uncle (1991), "Sing Your Life" (1991)
Bedders.JPG
Mark Bedford bassKill Uncle (1991)
Morrissey08 (5964986920).jpg
Boz Boorer 1991–2020
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all releases from "Sing Your Life" (1991) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Tierecke-alain-whyte.jpg
Alain Whyte
  • 1991–2009
  • 2021–2023
Spencer Cobrin
  • 1991–1993
  • 1994–1997
drums
  • Your Arsenal (1992)
  • Beethoven Was Deaf (1993)
  • Southpaw Grammar (1995)
  • Maladjusted (1997)
Jonny Bridgwood
  • 1991
  • 1993–1997
bass
Garyday.jpg
Gary Day
  • 1991–1993
  • 1999–2006
Woodie Taylor1993–1994drums
Memoriam RudE 2022 11.jpg
Spike T. Smith1999–2002none
Dean Butterworth2003–2005all releases from You Are the Quarry (2004) to Live at Earls Court (2005)
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr..jpg
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
  • 2003–2004
  • 2008
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • You Are the Quarry (2004)
  • Years of Refusal (2009)
Michael Farrell 2004–2008all releases from Live at Earls Court (2005) to Years of Refusal (2009)
Little Barrie live at Paradiso, opening for Primal Scream Barrie Cadogan and his Guitar (6120964701).jpg
Barrie Cadogan 2004guitarnone - substitute for Alain Whyte [18]
Morrissey - 116581522 (cropped).jpg
Matt Chamberlain 2005–2007drumsRingleader of the Tormentors (2006)
Morrissey09 (5964430219) (cropped).jpg
Gustavo Manzur2009–2023
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • guitar
all releases from World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Mando Lopez2014–2020bassall releases from Low in High School (2017) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Brendan Buckley2021–2024drums Without Music The World Dies (TBC)
Juan Galeano2022–2024bass

Timeline

List of Morrissey band members

Recording timeline

RoleAlbum
Viva Hate
(1988)
Kill Uncle
(1991)
Your Arsenal
(1992)
Vauxhall and I
(1994)
Southpaw Grammar
(1995)
Mal-
adjusted

(1997)
You Are the Quarry
(2004)
Ringleader of the Tormentors
(2006)
Years of Refusal
(2009)
World Peace
(2014)
Low in High School
(2017)
I Am Not a Dog on a Chain
(2020)
Guitars Vini Reilly, Stephen Street Mark E. Nevin Alain Whyte, Boz Boorer Alain Whyte, Boz Boorer, Jesse Tobias Boz Boorer, Jesse Tobias
Bass Stephen Street Mark Bedford Gary Day Jonny Bridgwood Gary Day Solomon Walker Mando Lopez
Drums Andrew Paresi Spencer CobrinWoodie TaylorSpencer CobrinDean Butterworth Matt Chamberlain Matt Walker
Key-
boards
Vini ReillySeamus Beaghen, Steven HeartNone Roger Manning Michael Farrell Roger Manning, Michael FarrellGustavo Manzur

Line-ups

PeriodMembersReleases
October – December 1988

(session only)

  • Morrissey  – vocals
  • Stephen Street  – bass, guitar
  • Vini Reilly  – guitars, keyboards
  • Andrew Paresi  – drums
  • Richard Koster – violin
  • Fenella Barton – violin
  • Rachel Maguire – cello
  • Mark Davies – cello
  • Robert Woolhard – cello
  • John Metcalf – viola
December 1988none – one live performance
January 1989
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Craig Gannon – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass
  • Mike Joyce – drums
  • Stephen Street – keyboards
April 1989
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Craig Gannon – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass
  • Mike Joyce – drums
  • Stephen Street – keyboards
  • Neil Taylor – guitar
  • Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals
November 1989
April 1990
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Kevin Armstrong – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass guitar
  • Mary Margaret O'Hara – vocals
October 1990
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Kevin Armstrong – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass guitar
1990 – 1991
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums, percussion
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Mark Bedford – bass guitar
  • Seamus Beaghen – keyboards
  • Steven Heart – keyboards
  • Nawazish Ali Khan – violin
  • Linder Sterling – backing vocals
1991
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums, percussion
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Mark Bedford – bass guitar
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
1991 – 1993
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Spencer Cobrin – drums
1993 – 1994
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
  • Woodie Taylor – drums
1994 – 1998
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
  • Spencer Cobrin – drums
1999 – 2002
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Spike T. Smith – drums
none – live performances only
2003 – 2004
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2004 – 2005
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Sessions@AOL (2004)
2005
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
2005 – 2007
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums
none – live performances only
2007
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums
  • Solomon Walker – bass
2007 – 2008
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar (live only)
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
2008 – 2009
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar (live only)
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2009 – 2014
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2014
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
2014 – 2021
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Mando Lopez – bass
May 2021 – late 2021
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
none – live performances only
May 2022 – March 2023
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
  • Juan Galeano – bass
July 2023 – February 2024
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
  • Juan Galeano – bass
  • Camila Grey – keyboards
  • Carmen Vandenberg – guitar
none – live performances only
June 2024 – present
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Camila Grey – keyboards
  • Carmen Vandenberg – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
none to date

Other musicians

Studio personnel

Solo Writing Credits

with Alain Whyte:-

with Boz Boorer:-

with Jesse Tobias:-

with Stephen Street:-

with Mark E. Nevin:-

with Gustavo Manzur:-

with Mando Lopez:-

with Gary Day:-

with Clive Langer:-

with Spencer Cobrin:-

with Andy Rourke:-

with Kevin Armstrong:-

with Andrew Watt:-

with Michael Farrell:-

Not Credited To Morrissey (ie Cover Versions):-

References

  1. Bret 2004, pp. 102–103.
  2. Greene, Andy (5 March 2019). "Flashback: Morrissey Plays 'Suedehead' at His First Solo Concert". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. Martins, Chris (24 May 2013). "Watch the Smiths Back Morrissey at His First Solo Gig in 1988". Spin. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. Bret 2004, p. 143.
  5. Goddard 2012, p. 53.
  6. 1 2 Goddard 2012, p. 76.
  7. Goddard 2012, p. 126.
  8. 1 2 Goddard 2012, p. 355.
  9. 1 2 Goddard 2012, p. 92.
  10. Goddard 2012, p. 245.
  11. Gittins, Ian (30 November 2014). "Morrissey review – great voice, shame about the lyrics". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  12. "Morrissey's bassist on compassionate leave". Express.co.uk. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  13. Buckley, Brendan (22 October 2021). Brendan Buckley w/ Morrissey "Back On The Chain Gang" (Sep 2021) . Retrieved 8 October 2024 via YouTube.
  14. "Line Up. - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - Line Up". MORRISSEY CENTRAL. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  15. "New keyboard player. - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - New keyboard player". MORRISSEY CENTRAL. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  16. Laing, Rob (24 July 2023). "Carmen Vandenberg is now playing guitar in Morrissey's live band". MusicRadar. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  17. "Rhino - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - Rhino". MORRISSEY CENTRAL. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  18. Klotschkow, Paul (1 August 2005). "Interview: Little Barrie". leftlion. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  19. Krol, Charlotte (12 December 2022). "Morrissey announces recording of new album 'Without Music The World Dies'". NME. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

Bibliography