Morrissey has exploded a classic The Smiths myth in a new rant addressing the way his former bandmate Andy Rourke was fired from the group.
Rourke was temporarily axed from the cult British act in 1986 over his drug abuse issues, and for more than 20 years he has insisted he was informed of the decision in a handwritten note placed on his car.
But Morrissey has finally dismissed the rumour - because he is "irked" the tale has become part of the band's folklore. In a statement, the singer says, "I am forced to defend myself - again - from a comment made by Andy Rourke... It is a recurring comment whereby Andy confirms that his dismissal from the Smiths was made via a handwritten postcard from me telling Andy 'you have left the Smiths.'
"I would like to state to anyone interested in the truth of this matter that no such postcard was ever written by me, and no dismissal postcard was ever placed on Andy's car with my knowledge or consent, and I am naturally irked that such an alleged deed has gone down in the fairy tale footnotes of Smiths lore. If such a postcard ever existed, it is likely that an unfunny stunt was played on Andy by someone attempting Morrissey-scrawl - easily done.
"Secondly, Andy's 'dismissal' from the Smiths would not be a decision solely made by me, and would not be announced by me on a note bearing only my name, and it would also not be executed by a handwritten note carelessly thrown onto the hood of a car (or window-wipers, as has often been reported.)"
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