List of Morrissey band members explained

Morrissey is an English singer and songwriter who, since the break-up of The Smiths, has worked with several musicians throughout his career as a solo artist. His current touring band consists of guitarist Jesse Tobias (since 2005), drummer Matt Walker, bassist Solomon Walker (both of whom first joined in 2007), keyboardist Camila Grey and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg (both since 2023)

History

Several months after The Smiths broke up in 1988, Morrissey enlisted Smiths producer Stephen Street to help begin his solo career. His debut album Viva Hate (1988) featured Street on bass and guitar, Vini Reilly on guitar and keyboards and Andrew Paresi on drums. His first solo performance happened on 22 December of the same year, at which he was backed by former Smiths bandmates, Craig Gannon (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums).[1] [2] The three continued to play on Morrissey's singles until 1989 and 1990.

Morrissey hired a new band from 1991's Kill Uncle, consisting of Mark E. Nevin (guitar), Mark Bedford (bass), Andrew Paresi (drums, percussion), Seamus Beaghen and Steven Heart (keyboards), Nawazish Ali Khan (violin) and Linder Sterling (backing vocals). For live performances in the same year he was joined by guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, bassist Gary Day and drummer Spencer Cobrin. Day and Cobrin were replaced by Jonny Bridgwood (who Day had originally replaced) and Woodie Taylor in 1993. Spencer Cobrin returned in 1995.

In 1999, Day returned alongside new drummer Spike T. Smith. Dean Butterworth replaced Smith in 2003, joining alongside keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Manning was replaced by Michael Farrell in 2004. Guitarist Jesse Tobias also joined in 2005. Matt Chamberlain replaced Butterworth in 2005. Day was also replaced by Solomon Walker in 2007, who brought in his brother, Matt Walker on drums.

Manning returned in 2008 and Whyte left in 2009. Gustavo Manzur also replaced Manning in 2009,[3] as well as Mando Lopez replacing Solomon Walker on bass.[4] Walker returned in 2021, alongside Whyte and new drummer Brendan Buckley, replacing Lopez, Boorer and Matt Walker respectively.[5] Juan Galeano replaced Walker in 2022.[6] Camila Grey replaced Manzur in 2023,[7] as well as Carmen Vandenberg replacing Whyte.[8] The Walker brothers both returned in 2024.[9]

Members

Current members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Morrissey1988–presentlead vocalsall releases
Jesse Tobias2005–presentguitarall releases from Live at Earls Court (2005) to present
Matt Walkerdrumsall releases from Years of Refusal (2009) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Solomon Walkerbass
Camila Grey2023–presentkeyboardsnone to date
Carmen Vandenbergguitar

Former members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Stephen Street
Andrew Paresidrums
Vini Reilly1988Viva Hate (1988)
Andy Rourke1988–1990bass
Mike Joyce1988–1989drums"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" & "Interesting Drug" (1989)
Craig Gannonguitar
Neil Taylor1989
Matthew Seligman1989 bass"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" (1989)
Kevin Armstong1989–1990guitar
Mark E. Nevin1990–1991Kill Uncle (1991), "Sing Your Life" (1991)
Mark BedfordbassKill Uncle (1991)
Boz Boorer1991–2020all releases from "Sing Your Life" (1991) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Alain Whyte
Spencer Cobrindrums
Jonny Bridgwoodbass
Gary Day
Woodie Taylor1993–1994drums
Spike T. Smith1999–2002 none
Dean Butterworth2003–2005all releases from You Are the Quarry (2004) to Live at Earls Court (2005)
Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Michael Farrell2004–2008all releases from Live at Earls Court (2005) to Years of Refusal (2009)
Barrie Cadogan2004guitarnone - substitute for Alain Whyte[10]
Matt Chamberlain2005–2007drumsRingleader of the Tormentors (2006)
Gustavo Manzur2009–2023all releases from World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Mando Lopez2014–2020bassall releases from Low in High School (2017) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)
Brendan Buckley (drummer) Brendan Buckley2021–2024drumsWithout Music The World Dies (TBC)
Juan Galeano2022–2024bass

Timeline

Recording timeline

RoleAlbum
Viva Hate
(1988)
Kill Uncle
(1991)
Your Arsenal
(1992)
Vauxhall and I
(1994)
Southpaw Grammar
(1995)
Mal-
adjusted

(1997)
You Are the Quarry
(2004)
Ringleader of the Tormentors
(2006)
Years of Refusal
(2009)
World Peace
(2014)
Low in High School
(2017)
I Am Not a Dog on a Chain
(2020)
GuitarsVini Reilly, Stephen StreetMark E. NevinAlain Whyte, Boz BoorerAlain Whyte, Boz Boorer, Jesse TobiasBoz Boorer, Jesse Tobias
BassStephen StreetMark BedfordGary DayJonny BridgwoodGary DaySolomon WalkerMando Lopez
DrumsAndrew ParesiSpencer CobrinWoodie TaylorSpencer CobrinDean ButterworthMatt ChamberlainMatt Walker
Key-
boards
Vini ReillySeamus Beaghen, Steven Heart NoneRoger ManningMichael FarrellRoger Manning, Michael FarrellGustavo Manzur

Line-ups

PeriodMembersReleases
October – December 1988(session only)
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Stephen Street – bass, guitar
  • Vini Reilly – guitars, keyboards
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Richard Koster – violin
  • Fenella Barton – violin
  • Rachel Maguire – cello
  • Mark Davies – cello
  • Robert Woolhard – cello
  • John Metcalf – viola
December 1988 none
January 1989
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Craig Gannon – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass
  • Mike Joyce – drums
  • Stephen Street – keyboards
April 1989
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Craig Gannon – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass
  • Mike Joyce – drums
  • Stephen Street – keyboards
  • Neil Taylor – guitar
  • Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals
November 1989
April 1990
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Kevin Armstrong – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass guitar
  • Mary Margaret O'Hara – vocals
October 1990
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Kevin Armstrong – guitar
  • Andy Rourke – bass guitar
1990 – 1991
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums, percussion
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Mark Bedford – bass guitar
  • Seamus Beaghen – keyboards
  • Steven Heart – keyboards
  • Nawazish Ali Khan – violin
  • Linder Sterling – backing vocals
1991
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Andrew Paresi – drums, percussion
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Mark Bedford – bass guitar
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Mark E. Nevin – guitar
  • Andrew Paresi – drums
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
1991 – 1993
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Spencer Cobrin – drums
1993 – 1994
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
  • Woodie Taylor – drums
1994 – 1998
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Jonny Bridgwood – bass
  • Spencer Cobrin – drums
1999 – 2002
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Spike T. Smith – drums
none
2003 – 2004
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2004 – 2005
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Sessions@AOL (2004)
2005
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Dean Butterworth – drums
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
2005 – 2007
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Gary Day – bass
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums
none
2007
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Chamberlain – drums
  • Solomon Walker – bass
2007 – 2008
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar (live only)
  • Michael Farrell – keyboards
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
2008 – 2009
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Alain Whyte – guitar (live only)
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2009 – 2014
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards
2014
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
2014 – 2021
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Boz Boorer – guitar
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Matt Walker – drums
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Mando Lopez – bass
May 2021 – late 2021
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
none
May 2022 – March 2023
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Gustavo Manzur – keyboards
  • Alain Whyte – guitar
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
  • Juan Galeano – bass
July 2023 – February 2024
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Brendan Buckley – drums
  • Juan Galeano – bass
  • Camila Grey – keyboards
  • Carmen Vandenberg – guitar
none
June 2024 – present
  • Morrissey – vocals
  • Jesse Tobias – guitar
  • Camila Grey – keyboards
  • Carmen Vandenberg – guitar
  • Solomon Walker – bass
  • Matt Walker – drums
none to date

Other musicians

Studio personnel

Solo Writing Credits

with Alain Whyte:-

with Boz Boorer:-

with Jesse Tobias:-

with Stephen Street:-

with Mark E. Nevin:-

with Gustavo Manzur:-

with Mando Lopez:-

with Gary Day:-

with Clive Langer:-

with Spencer Cobrin:-

with Andy Rourke:-

with Kevin Armstrong:-

with Andrew Watt:-

with Michael Farrell:-

Not Credited To Morrissey (ie Cover Versions):-

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greene . Andy . 2019-03-05 . Flashback: Morrissey Plays 'Suedehead' at His First Solo Concert . 2024-10-08 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  2. Martins . Chris . May 24, 2013 . Watch the Smiths Back Morrissey at His First Solo Gig in 1988 . 8 October 2024 . Spin.
  3. News: Gittins . Ian . 2014-11-30 . Morrissey review – great voice, shame about the lyrics . 2024-10-08 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  4. Web site: 2014-11-07 . Morrissey's bassist on compassionate leave . 2024-10-08 . Express.co.uk . en.
  5. Brendan Buckley w/ Morrissey “Back On The Chain Gang” (Sep 2021) . 2021-10-22 . Buckley . Brendan . 2024-10-08 . YouTube.
  6. Web site: May 6, 2022 . Line Up. - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - Line Up. . 2024-10-08 . MORRISSEY CENTRAL.
  7. Web site: May 6, 2023 . New keyboard player. - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - New keyboard player. . 2024-10-08 . MORRISSEY CENTRAL.
  8. Web site: Laing . Rob . 2023-07-24 . Carmen Vandenberg is now playing guitar in Morrissey's live band . 2024-10-08 . MusicRadar . en.
  9. Web site: June 8, 2024 . Rhino - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - Rhino . 2024-10-08 . MORRISSEY CENTRAL.
  10. Web site: Klotschkow . Paul . 1 August 2005 . Interview: Little Barrie . 15 August 2024 . leftlion.
  11. News: Krol . Charlotte . 12 December 2022 . Morrissey announces recording of new album 'Without Music The World Dies' . 4 January 2023 . NME . en-GB.