The Manchester music scene of the 1980s, incorporating The Smiths, Happy Mondays, New Order and The Stone Roses to name a few (plus Simply Red who don't tend to get lumped in with them but who sometimes made quirky music), was a fantastic period in pop culture history. In the late 80s and early 90s there was Liverpool band The La's too.
Manchester, and parts of West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, have a history of having sensitive loners. Hills and old mills buttress the landscapes. Big cities sit side by side with market towns. Generally not the cliched kind of market town you get in North Yorkshire but one offs. Further south, there's Shropshire which is a county unto itself as well with many buildings that are 700 or more years old.
The West has a habit of making the individual be able to be removed, by its landscapes, from any cliche. Thus people like Morrissey can thrive if they achieve the confidence and/or talent to break out of their natural, quaint, shell.

Because he was in one of the best bands of all time!

Is this a joke?
There is a girl who had a slightly famous father (famous for defending a murderer). We only even know who she is because she made and circulated her own sex tape! And she isnt the only untalented celebrity who is famous for nothing but being disgusting and/or deceptive. Famous for being famous! Sad but we live in a free society, to each his/her own, I suppose!
Morrissey has a beautiful and unique singing voice and style. His songs also quite unusual, delightfully tongue-in-cheek many times. Unhappy Birthday, one great example! Though many might call it 80s music I think Smiths/Morrissey is timeless it spoke to a generation and now decades later many genertions. Even got my 60+ mother into him. I personally love his stuff even more now than I did in the 80s.
He is an interesting talented unique person who is anything but a sellout! A lot to be famous for!
She's a gross English titty vampire.
Deb on Dexter SII

His voice/music/lyrics defined an era. It's called New Wave It was composed of a generation of misfits, many plagued with depression, who couldn't quite find their place in the world.
Morrissey/The Smiths was the voice of that generation. I always felt that Morrissey could feel my pain and I identified with his music.
He lost me after Kill Uncle. You're the One For Me, Fatty wasn't quite feeling my pain anymore.
(Just like The Cure lost me after Friday, I'm in Love.)
But his early stuff, especially w/ The Smiths.. now that was epic (for me, anyway)

• Who knows who wrote that song of summer that black birds sing at dusk?

Moz may be famous, but at least he doesn't do those sucky ballads like Justin Bieber. I f-ing love Moz!!!

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He's famous because he has a big mouth and feels the need to make the most disgraceful comments every now and then.
It was stated here that his opinions push the boundaries of what people consider to be popular belief, that is the understatement of the century. Would anybody out there care to defend his comments about the shooting in Norway? He also said that he loved seeing the violence metered out to the car carrying Prince Charles, but he doesn't like it done to him. The big baby walked off stage for a bit of a cry when a plastic bottle hit him!

"Not that good a songwriter"
He is one of the most literary songwriters around.

He's famous because he does what he does a lot better than you apparently can, ryanupton..otherwise you'd be just as iconic as he.
"Don't believe everything you hear on the radio." - Charles Foster Kane

Oh dear if you can't see why he is famous then I really do despair of you! But then again, I perceive that you may be secretly intrigued, because otherwise you wouldnt have bothered posting the question of why he is famous in the first place!?! And yes, he is VERY famous! An icon! A legend in his own life time!
And, I believe, this is why:
Morrissey is an extremely intelligent human being, who has written lyrics tantamount to genius: witty, passionate, realist, truthful, funny, creative, clever, moving, tender, warm etc
In interviews, he is legendary, always pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and always giving interesting responses regardless of what is considered popular or politically correct he really does make one think deeply about life and death!
His voice is beautiful too, and he does have a great range. Listen to him live you will be astounded at the hypnotic factor to his voice very powerful indeed!!
Also, the musicians and producers he has worked with have been fantastic every album and single he has ever released has been superb! (Alright, there are one or two songs that are a bit dodgy, but I forgive him!!)
As a live performer well know one beats him he has all the talent and charisma, on top of a beautiful face and body sexy is an understatement!! The lovely blue eyes and pale face, and silky black hair
Hes NOT a whore though beep RESPECT that celibate man hes got soul and a true sense of who he is.
Moz the man is artistically an enigma; how can someone be THAT bloody good!! However, as a man, he is flesh and blood nevertheless! I think he is very real always ready to speak his mind and have an opinion, which I always think is genuine.
Long live Moz and long may the world listen to his music!! XXX

because he sings brilliantly. writes the best lyrics. and he rules