Pieces of Morrissey: Adventures with the Mozarmy

Morrissey is a figure cult. But what drives his fans devotion? What makes them trek halfway round the world to catch his shows in the US or South America when he is playing in their city a few months later? Why do they fight over pieces of his shirt, thrown each night into the crowd? Is this healthy? Should they seek help? Is Moz messainic or does he calculatedly whip the mob into a frenzy to maintain his status? And what of Morrisseys own adolescence and his obssessions with 50s rock n rollers and stars such as Bowie and Patty Smith. And what about the places of pilgrimage, venues such as Salford Lads Club or Southern Cemetry’s gates. Why do these places give fans a special connection with their hero? Morrissey devotee (and proud owner of an intact Moz shirt) Matt Jacobson examines his own obssession and that of his fellow fans to discover the lengths some will go to, from risking physical injury to ending long friendships, to get closer to their hero.