'Bush should have died, not Reagan': Morrissey

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Monday, 7th June 2004

MANCHESTER music legend Morrissey sparked controversy when he announced Ronald Reagan's death live on stage during a concert - and then declared he wished it was George Bush who had died instead.

Thousands of fans at Dublin Castle, in Ireland, cheered when the ex-Smiths frontman made the announcement that the former American president, who had battled with Alzheimer's Disease, had passed away.

And an even bigger cheer followed when Morrissey - who is no stranger to controversy - then said he wished it had been the current President, George W Bush, who had died.

Fan Tony Murray said: "He commented about the death of Ronald Reagan and when he wished that it was George W instead the crowd went wild."

The Dublin concert was the latest leg of Morrissey's European tour, which began at the M.E.N. Arena last month when the ever-popular performer made his first appearance in the city for 12 years.

He is due to appear at the Move festival at Old Trafford cricket ground next month.

A spokesman for Morrissey's record label, Sanctuary Records, said: "We do not have a recording of the gig, but as far as we can tell, Morrissey was just alerting the audience to the fact that Ronald Reagan had died.

"He then simply followed that up with his comment about George Bush, which was his own opinion. He is no stranger to controversy."

© Copyright 2004 GMG Regional Digital.

Morrissey comments spark Bush fire

Wednesday, 9th June 2004

MORRISSEY has caused outrage in America with his controversial remarks to a concert audience about the death of Ronald Reagan.

The ex-frontman of Manchester band The Smiths announced the death of the former US president at a concert in Dublin - then said he wished it had been President George W Bush who had died instead.

A report of his remarks in the M.E.N. was picked up from this website by the US website the Drudge Report and has spread like wildfire across the internet.

Now Morrissey, who once sang of having the "21st century breathing down my neck" has found himself facing a 21st-century backlash.

Support

Record numbers of internet users in America contacted our website to complain about the 45-year-old singer's comments.

However, there were also some messages of support for Morrissey.

The story has been viewed nearly 500,000 times in just 24 hours.

ManchesterOnline editor Sarah Hartley, said: "We have never had such a response to a single item before.

"It says a lot about news in the 21st century that something said in Ireland and reported in Manchester is now big news in Washington."