Pieces of Morrissey

MORRISSEY IS A CULT FIGURE. But what drives his fans’ devotion? What makes them trek halfway round the world to catch his shows in the US or South Americawhen he is playing in their city a few months later? Why do they fi ght over pieces of his shirt, thrown each night into the crowd?Is this healthy? Should they seek help? Is Moz messianic or does he calculatedly whip the mob into a frenzy to maintain his status? And what of Morrissey’s own adolescence and his obssessionswith 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 placesgive 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 physicalinjury to ending long-term friendships, to get closer to their hero.