Morrissey says he almost died following health problems earlier this year

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Morrissey has opened up about his recent health problems, saying that doctors had feared he might die earlier this year, as the legendary singer battled double pneumonia, a bleeding ulcer and throat condition Barrett’s oesophagus.

The Smiths frontman was forced to cancel a string of live appearance because of ill-health back in January. Now, Morrissey reflected on his difficult year with Chilean newspaper La Tercera:

“It was terrible. I had played in January in Ohio, and I was perfect, but the next night at the hotel I collapsed. I lost consciousness and when I recovered, I was covered in black blood and did not know what it was. I was taken to a hospital quickly discovered I had an ulcer, Barrett’s esophagus, and then all finished in double pneumonia.”

Moz continued:

“I spent over four weeks on a drip, but I refused a blood transfusion. I managed to do some more shows in the US, but when I arrived in Mexico the doctors told me to stop. Not being able to finish the tour was devastating, but doctors warned me: ‘A few weeks ago you almost died, and now you say you’ll do 18 shows more? Are you trying to kill yourself?’ In fact, I think that was what I was doing”.

“Seriously, I did not worry too much, because eventually we all die one day and in my case it would be better to die on stage than on a sofa covered with bread crumbs. Yes, the doctors told me: ‘Do you realise that you are dying?’ But it’s so abstract to hear you do not know what to do. Furthermore, we are all dying, even when we sleep we are dying slowly, but until that happens, you give everything you have. There will be much time to rest, once we get to the grave”.

Seeming in better health recently, Morrissey recently announced the release of a new live DVD, which was recorded at a recent concert in a Hollywood High School.

[via CMU]