Morrissey Cites “Physical Exhaustion” For Canceling Arena Shows In Southern California – Update

UPDATED, 6 PM: A spokesman for Morrissey said today the singer “is receiving medical supervision for physical exhaustion.” The news comes a day after the ex-Smiths frontman canceled a pair of Southern California arena concerts scheduled for tonight and tomorrow, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”

“He has been ordered to rest for two weeks, and he will remain in Zurich,” Donnie Knutson said in a message posted on social media. No word yet on whether the respective shows that had been set for Friday and Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim and Kia Forum near Los Angeles will be rescheduled.

PREVIOUSLY, January 25: Heaven knows that thousands of Southern California Morrissey fans are miserable now.

The former Smiths frontman’s weekend concerts at the Kia Forum near Los Angeles and Honda Center in Anaheim were canceled abruptly today. The news comes after the singer walked off the Greek Theatre stage after 20 minutes during his most recent Los Angeles show 14 months ago.

Both arenas cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason this week’s concerts were scuttled. The Anaheim gig was set for Friday and the Inglewood one for Saturday. Ticketmaster’s website said refunds would be made automatically, adding, “Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event.”

His remains slated to play seven shows in Mexico and South America next month.

Morrissey had planned to perform his 2004 album You Are the Quarry in full during both shows, marking the 20th anniversary of the disc that made his best U.S. chart showing. The record features four singles that made the UK Top 10: “Irish Blood, English Heart,” “First of the Gang to Die,” “Let Me Kiss You” and “I Have Forgiven Jesus.”

The English singer-songwriter co-founded The Smiths in 1982 and fronted the group until its breakup five years later. The group had four smash albums in the UK, with the last two — 1986’s The Queen Is Dead and 1987’s Strangeways, Here We Come — going gold in U.S. despite lackluster chart performances. Its best-known songs include “How Soon Is Now,” “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and “William, It Was Really Nothing.”

Since going solo with his 1988 album Viva Hate, Morrissey has released a dozen albums — all of which went Top 10 in the UK.

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