Morrissey's Manchester - Softcover

Gatenby, Phill

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1901746283 ISBN 13: 9781901746280

Publisher: Empire Publications, 2002

Synopsis

'I came back to my old city... and I couldn't find my way back to the station, it's all changed', so complained Morrissey on 'Heir Apparent' and it's not surprising as Manchester has changed so much since The Smiths heyday of the mid 1980s.

Now Morrissey's Manchester, a publication devoted exclusively to the city that shaped the life and lyrics of The Smiths, has been produced so that fans of the group can visit many of the sights remaining, including Salford Lads Club, concert venues and Morrissey's old house in Kings Road, Stretford.

Musically Manchester has become a victim of its own success. While it hasn't produced figures as ubiquitous as 'The Fab Four' or 'The King', there isn't another city in the world that, for the past forty years, has consistently influenced the music scene so persuasively. In this guide is contained all the information needed to plan a visit to the home of one of the greatest British bands ever. Fans of The Smiths are obsessive about every detail regarding their heroes. So whilst some local guide books briefly mention places of musical interest concerning Manchester music in general; devotees of Morrissey can expect and demand more.

Included here are two comprehensive tours of the Manchester area. One which can be taken on foot in the city centre and the other stretching across the suburbs that affected the band's history.

In particular the guide relates to the places Morrissey wrote about or which formed an influential part of the group's history, such as concert venues, meeting places and sites captured on film.

About this title

About the Author:

Although this is Phill Gatenby's first book, he has been involved with writing for various publications since 1988. A staunch supporter of Manchester City FC, he became one of the main contributors for 'Blue Print'; a fanzine dedicated to the strain and the pain of supporting City.

When ‘Blue Print' folded in 1992, he then produced his own fanzine entitled 'This Charming Fan', which ran for three years.

Since then, he has contributed articles for several football books including 'Survival Of The Fattest' (Volumes 1 and 2 in 1995 & 96), and Maine Road Voices (2002).

Away from football, Phill produced articles for the short lived independently produced Manchester 'What's On' guide magazine, 'Whatever' (1998), looking at local issues effecting local people and scrutinising council policy. He also has a short piece in The Smiths fans' book 'All Men Have Secrets' (1995).

Aged 39, Phill counts himself extremely fortunate to have seen The Smiths in concert five times. He lives in north Manchester and has two daughters, Rohannah and Leah, aged 10 and 8 respectively.

About this edition

• Publisher: Empire Publications
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1901746283
• ISBN 13: 9781901746280
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 120