Over the weekend, to the surprise of absolutely no one, Morrissey put his foot in his mouth… again. Yes, the Smiths legend and protector of all creatures (besides humans) has let his PETA-fueled rage get out of control. This time, he took his anger out on the Chinese people as a whole. But, as anyone who’s followed Moz’s career knows, they’re hardly the first to feel his sharp-tongued, asexual wrath. After the jump, we give you the rundown on 10 people or groups Morrissey hates. Add your favorite Moz takedowns in the comments.
The entire population of China: “Did you see the thing on the news about their treatment of animals and animal welfare? Absolutely horrific. You can’t help but feel that the Chinese are a subspecies.” – The Guardian, 2010
Damien Hirst: “I dislike the ‘use’ of animals in art, such as in the work of Damien Hirst. But in your latest performance piece, ‘Your Actions Are My Dreams,’ you have a woman serenely sitting atop a calmly satisfied horse, which is, of course, alive and healthy. Do you agree that Hirst’s head should be kept in a bag for the way he’s utilized —and sold — dead animals?” – Morrissey interviewing the artist Linder, Interview , 2010
Immigrants: “Although I don’t have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears. So the price is enormous. If you travel to Germany, it’s still absolutely Germany. If you travel to Sweden, it still has a Swedish identity. But travel to England and you have no idea where you are.” – NME, 2007
NME editors, for implying that he’s racist: The magazine’s staff is “devious, truculent and unreliable” – Statement, 2007
Madonna: “I wouldn’t be surprised if she made that African boy she adopted into and a coat and wore him for 15 minutes, then threw it away.” – PETA benefit concert, 2007
Canadians: “I fully realise that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter – which is the largest slaughter of marine animal species found anywhere on the planet… The Canadian Prime Minister says the so-called ‘cull’ is economically and environmentally justified, but this is untrue.” – Statement about his boycott of the country, 2006
Ravers: “Rave is the refuge for the mentally deficient. It’s made by dull people for dull people.” – Details, 1992
Elton John: “He is pushing his face in all the time and telling us about his private life. Nobody’s interested. He should just go away.” – NME, 1987
Contemporary black musicians – even Stevie Wonder: “But, ultimately, I don’t have very cast iron opinions on black music other than black modern music which I detest. I detest Stevie Wonder. I think Diana Ross is awful. I hate all those records in the Top 40 – Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston. I think they’re vile in the extreme. In essence this music doesn’t say anything whatsoever.” – Melody Maker, 1986
Himself: “I see myself rather like an old discarded dishrag.” – Select, 1994