For as well-read as Morrissey is, has he never come across the phrase 'The Show Must Go On'?
The 65-year-old former Smiths crooner is prolific at finding reasons to either not show up to a gig or why to leave.
This latest impromptu adios happened deep in the heart of Dallas on Saturday (11/2) during the second show of his U.S. Tour.
Moz's departure came a little after a minute in to the first song in the encore, "First of the Gang to Die," from his seventh solo LP, You Are The Quarry, which is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year.
Fans jumped on the Fair Park Music Hall stage, first at a casual pace, then a few a bit more aggressively and the British legend peaced-out while surrounded by security.
While wrestling with the over-excited Texans, one of the security guards hopped off the stage favoring his right foot.
Some say the show annoying adoration reminded them of one of his gigs in NYC in 1992, but fans rushing the charming man are far from a rarity, even this late in his career.
It happens so often one might think that although he seems to be grimacing any time he's being embraced, he might miss it if it stopped. Quite the conundrum.
Over the years Moz has stopped shows early for a number of reasons including illness, which is fair, but almost exactly two years ago he cut a gig short because it became chilly.
It's hard to know how much of this is just preening and being precious or if he truly is sickly and hyper sensitive because he hasn't talked much about the times he has stopped shows short or canceled them entirely.
In this most recent case he could easily say that way back in 1991 at UCLA authorities blamed him when he encouraged fans to come closer and a sudden rush injured 45 people.
But so far he has kept mum, which is normal for him. Yet odd because as we know from his unique lyrics and fascinating autobiography, Moz has a way with words.
According to a website that keeps a vigilant tally on this matter, Dallas' show is now the 346th Morrissey concert that has either been cancelled, cut short or postponed.
On the bright side, Morrissey is appearing at these shows.
Not only that, but he has dusted off "Dear God Please Help Me," which he brought back out on Halloween in Houston and has now performed on all three nights of this autumn tour of the States.
Also Morrissey has been playing a new song from Bonfire of Teenagers, an album he recorded years ago but his record label, Capitol, refused to release it.
"I Ex-Love You," is a delightful song he live debuted in Houston and it makes one wonder if there are more songs on that album and another one, Without Music the World Dies, which is also waiting to greet its public.
Morrissey told NME in 2021 that Bonfire of Teenagers was "the best album of my life," which makes one wonder why he doesn't do a tour where he plays all or half of it for the first half of the show and dole out the hits for the second half?
Create the demand for the record(s). It shouldn't be too hard for the singer. Look at all the attention he's getting for walking off stage two or three songs early.
Just imagine the stir he could create if he gave audiences songs they agree are his best yet?
About a dozen shows remain on the tour. Go here for tickets.
Morrissey US 2024 Autumn Tour
11/06 – Birmingham, AL @ Alabama Theatre
11/07 – Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre
11/09 – Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
11/12 – Baltimore, MD @ The Lyric Baltimore
11/13 – Newark, NJ @ Performing Arts Center
11/15 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Ocean Resort
11/16 – Rochester, NY @ Kodak Center
11/19 – Niagara Falls, ON @ Fallsview Resort
11/20 – Flint, MI @ Capitol Theater
11/22 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
11/23 – Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
