New Wave Outpost Forum

This has always been a baffling phenomenon for me, but the article makes reference to the importance of his 'image' as a greaser, with the 50's haircut, B&W photo images, etc. This 'look' is popular with that demographic apparently. Maybe it's enough so that it over-rides his anti-immigration politics. (Actually, in the 50's people often WERE anti-immigration... think West Side Story....so Morrissey is stll in-line with that image).

Is your love for an artist enough to overlook his/her politics? It will be interesting to see if Kanye West takes any kind of hit among the critics and fans following his support for Trump. Maybe (although doubtful) all his fans are already Trump supporters so it will bolster his popularity? The critics have always adored his albums. Let's say he puts out his very best album ever, without question. Will it still get praised by left-minded critics?

In the 80's, without the internet, there were fewer opportunities for fans to know the politics of their idols. If Sinead hadn't ripped up the pope on SNL, you wouldn't have known her views. Likewise, if the Dixie Chicks hadn't spoke against Bush in concert, they still might get played on country radio. You had to do something big to get your politics noticed. NOW, you just need to type a couple sentences on twitter....then watch the parade!

And here I was, thinking that it was just a thing they made up for Ant-Man and the Wasp.

bpdp3 wrote:
Is your love for an artist enough to overlook his/her politics?

Sound Opinions explored this very question last year:
https://soundopinions.org/show/615

I don't think his popularity has waned over there. He appeared to be touring over in Southern America just this last year. There's been a recent movement to really reject his past accomplishments on his current dumbass comments. I think he's always made controversial and contrarian comments on purpose. It's just how he is. I can agree that Japan's desire to kill exotic animals for food is crude and inhumane without agreeing with that it discards them as a whole people. He's always said anti-meat statements that have riled up countless people and I both agree and disagree with those at the same time. He's also been protective of the UK identity and anti-monarchy simultaneously. In many way he's a conservative but also not.

Being a Morrissey fan means loving the guy still and think he can be self-destructive and idiotic at the same time. In our PC culture that has made him a bit of an outcast but when have the Smiths ever not been somewhat of an underground band and left of center? Anyway I still love him, even if he occasionally sounds like a racist uncle.