Morrissey's guitarist criticises support act Kristeen Young and producer Tony Visconti

16 June 2014, 10:53 | Written by Luke Morgan Britton

(News)

(Morrissey)

As is often the case, Morrissey’s recent North American tour was not without its controversies. First, Moz abandoned a show due to a stage invasion, then he attempted to cancel a rival gig in the same venue that he was performing and now he’s scrapped his tour altogether due to a virus he says he caught from opening act Kristeen Young.

While Young has denied these claims, the singer’s own guitarist Jesse Tobias has come out to defend him. In a statement issued to True to You, Tobias criticises both Young and Bowie/former Morrissey producer Tony Visconti - the former for disingenuousness and the latter for getting involved at all.

You can read the full statement below, via Pitchfork:

It’s been quite Disheartening to see the “Facebook” Hatred thrown about by Our Former Friends/ Working Partners Kristeen Young and Tony Visconti.
I do feel that Someone needs to Speak Up for Moz in this situation as it is unbearable to watch people you once trusted , Attack and Pick Away at your Friend.
In my experience ANYONE associated with the Morrissey Camp know they are solely there because of Morrissey himself.
He chooses to tour/ work with certain people.
For Kristeen and Tony Visconti to go on about Her being better off now, without considering Morrissey’s 9 years of help and promotion is Very Disappointing.
Only speaking from my experience, with the crew and Moz falling ill in Miami, for Kristeen to deny she was truly sick seems disingenuous.
I was told after the show in Miami by Crew and Security that there was some concern because Kristeen was obviously unwell.
Our crew then tried to keep her at a reasonable distance but being in such close quarters for months these things sometimes happen.
I am Upset that in this situation Kristeen could not take the tour as a whole into consideration and just comply with the postponement announcement.
One could only assume it was necessary for her to justify herself and ultimately receive some promotion out of the matter.
This combined with Tony Visconti’s Parrot Like affirmation on “Facebook” that “she is better off, is Morrissey Capable of being handled?” is Repulsive.
This is a MAN who worked closely with us on a record and several sessions that Suddenly flips into Schoolgirl mode with “yeah you tell em” Chatter…??