Morrissey ‘under medical supervision’ as former Smiths singer cancels arena concerts

Morrissey is “under medical supervision” after cancelling two arena gigs at short notice.

The 64-year-old former frontman of The Smiths was scheduled to perform two shows in Southern California this week, but the venues announced that “unforeseen circumstances” had led to the cancellations.

In a statement shared on social media, a spokesperson for Morrissey announced that the singer was receiving medical treatment after suffering from “physical exhaustion.”

“He has been ordered to rest for two weeks and will remain in Zurich,” wrote Donnie Knutson.

The concerts were scheduled to take place on Friday (January 27) and Saturday (January 28) at the Honda Center in Anaheim and the Kia Forum near Los Angeles.

It is not yet known whether the performances will be postponed to a later date.

Morrissey is expected to perform seven more scheduled shows in Mexico and South America next month.

At his final show in Los Angeles, Morrissey left the stage at the city’s Greek Theater after just 20 minutes, with a bandmate telling the crowd: “Sorry, but due to unforeseen circumstances the show will not go ahead. Very sorry. See you next time. Sorry.”

At this week’s cancelled concerts, the British artist was supposed to perform his 2004 album. You are the prey in full length to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the recording.

You are the prey contains some of Morrissey’s best known songs released as a solo artist, including “Irish Blood, English Heart”, “First of the Gang to Die” and “Let Me Kiss You”.

In August, Michael Imperioli, star of The Sopranosclaimed that Morrissey had been “let down” by the music industry and compared him to the late Irish musician Sinead O’Connor.

Imperioli, who is also guitarist and singer of the band Zopa, said The guard: “He is uncompromising and very true to his art and to himself. As a lyricist, for me he is on the level of Bob Dylan and Lou Reed: his intelligence, his wit and his point of view.

“I thought what he wrote about Sinead O’Connor was spot on and brilliant – how quickly she was let down by the music industry. He was let down just as much,” Imperioli added.

After O’Connor’s death last year, Morrissey published a commentary on his personal website lamenting the media’s treatment of the singer.

“She was dropped by her label after selling seven million albums for them. She became crazy, yes, but uninteresting, never. She had done nothing wrong,” he wrote.

“…You are ONLY praising her now because it is too late. You did not have the courage to support her when she was still alive and looking for you.”