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 (since 2021), bassist Juan Galeano (since 2022), 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). 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, as well as Mando Lopez replacing Solomon Walker on bass. Solomon returned in 2021, alongside Whyte and new drummer Brendan Buckley, replacing Lopez, Boorer and Matt Walker respectively. Juan Galeano replaced Walker in 2022. Camila Grey replaced Manzur in 2023, as well as Carmen Vandenberg replacing Whyte. Matt Walker returned in 2024, with Solomon Walker serving as a fill-in bassist across three shows the same year.

Members

Current members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions Morrissey 1988–present all releases Jesse Tobias 2005–presentguitar all releases from Live at Earls Court (2005) to Make-Up Is a Lie (2026)Matt Walker drumsall releases from Years of Refusal (2009) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020) Juan Galeano 2022-present bassMake-Up Is a Lie (2026) Camila Grey 2023–present keyboardsCarmen Vandenbergguitar

Former members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsStephen StreetAndrew Paresidrums Vini Reilly 1988 Viva Hate (1988)Andy Rourke1988–1990bassMike Joyce1988–1989drums"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" & "Interesting Drug" (1989) Craig Gannonguitar Neil Taylor 1989Matthew Seligman1989 bass"Ouija Board, Ouija Board" (1989) Kevin Armstong 1989–1990guitar Mark E. Nevin 1990–1992Mark Bedford1990–1991 bassKill 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 Bridgwood bass Gary Day Woodie Taylor 1993–1994drums Spike T. Smith 1999–2002 none Dean Butterworth 2003–2005 all 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 Matt Chamberlain 2005–2007drums Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006)Solomon WalkerbassGustavo Manzur all releases from World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014) to Make-Up Is a Lie (2026)Mando Lopez2014–2020bassall releases from Low in High School (2017) to I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)Brendan Buckley drums Make-Up Is a Lie (2026)

Timeline

Recording timeline Role Album 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 Is None of Your Business(2014) Low in High School(2017) California Son(2019) I Am Not a Dog on a Chain(2020) Make-Up Is a Lie(2026)GuitarsVini Reilly, Stephen StreetMark E. NevinAlain Whyte, Boz BoorerAlain Whyte, Boz Boorer, Jesse TobiasBoz Boorer, Jesse TobiasJesse Tobias, Carmen VandenbergBassStephen StreetMark BedfordGary DayJonny BridgwoodGary DaySolomon WalkerMando LopezJuan GaleanoDrumsAndrew ParesiSpencer CobrinWoodie TaylorSpencer CobrinDean ButterworthMatt ChamberlainMatt WalkerBrendan BuckleyKey-boardsVini ReillySeamus Beaghen, Steven Heart NoneRoger ManningMichael FarrellRoger Manning, Michael FarrellGustavo Manzur Gustavo Manzur, Roger ManningCamila Grey

Line-ups PeriodMembersReleasesOctober – 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 Viva Hate (1988)December 1988 Morrissey – vocals Craig Gannon – guitar Andy Rourke – bass Mike Joyce – drumsnone January 1989 Morrissey – vocals Craig Gannon – guitar Andy Rourke – bass Mike Joyce – drums Stephen Street – keyboards "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" (1989)April 1989 Morrissey – vocals Craig Gannon – guitar Andy Rourke – bass Mike Joyce – drums Stephen Street – keyboards Neil Taylor – guitar Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals "Interesting Drug" (1989)November 1989 Morrissey – vocals Andrew Paresi – drums Kirsty MacColl – backing vocals Kevin Armstrong – guitar Matthew Seligman – bass Steve Hopkins – piano "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" (1989)April 1990 Morrissey – vocals Andrew Paresi – drums Kevin Armstrong – guitar Andy Rourke – bass guitar Mary Margaret O'Hara – vocals "November Spawned a Monster" (1990)October 1990 Morrissey – vocals Andrew Paresi – drums Kevin Armstrong – guitar Andy Rourke – bass guitar "Piccadilly Palare" (1990)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 Kill Uncle (1991)1991 Morrissey – vocals Andrew Paresi – drums, percussion Mark E. Nevin – guitar Mark Bedford – bass guitar "My Love Life" (1991) Morrissey – vocals Mark E. Nevin – guitar Andrew Paresi – drums Boz Boorer – guitar Jonny Bridgwood – bass "Pregnant for the Last Time" (1991)1991 – 1993 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Gary Day – bass Spencer Cobrin – drums At KROQ (1991) Your Arsenal (1992) Beethoven Was Deaf (1993)1993 – 1994 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Jonny Bridgwood – bass Woodie Taylor – drums Vauxhall and I (1994) "Boxers" & "Sunny" (1995)1994 – 1998 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Jonny Bridgwood – bass Spencer Cobrin – drums Southpaw Grammar (1995) Maladjusted (1997)1999 – 2002 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Gary Day – bass Spike T. Smith – drumsnone 2003 – 2004 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Gary Day – bass Dean Butterworth – drums Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards You Are the Quarry (2004)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 Live at Earls Court (2005) Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006)2005 – 2007 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Gary Day – bass Michael Farrell – keyboards Jesse Tobias – guitar Matt Chamberlain – drumsnone 2007 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar Michael Farrell – keyboards Jesse Tobias – guitar Matt Chamberlain – drums Solomon Walker – bass2007 – 2008 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Alain Whyte – guitar (live only) Michael Farrell – keyboards Jesse Tobias – guitar Solomon Walker – bass Matt Walker – drums Years of Refusal (2009)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. – keyboards2009 – 2014 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Jesse Tobias – guitar Solomon Walker – bass Matt Walker – drums Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards2014 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Jesse Tobias – guitar Solomon Walker – bass Matt Walker – drums Gustavo Manzur – keyboards World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014)2014 – 2021 Morrissey – vocals Boz Boorer – guitar Jesse Tobias – guitar Matt Walker – drums Gustavo Manzur – keyboards Mando Lopez – bass Low in High School (2017) California Son (2019) I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020)May 2021 – late 2021 Morrissey – vocals Jesse Tobias – guitar Gustavo Manzur – keyboards Alain Whyte – guitar Solomon Walker – bass Brendan Buckley – drumsnone May 2022 – March 2023 Morrissey – vocals Jesse Tobias – guitar Gustavo Manzur – keyboards Alain Whyte – guitar Brendan Buckley – drums Juan Galeano – bassnone July 2023 – February 2024 Morrissey – vocals Jesse Tobias – guitar Brendan Buckley – drums Juan Galeano – bass Camila Grey – keyboards Carmen Vandenberg – guitarnone July 2024 – present Morrissey – vocals Jesse Tobias – guitar Juan Galeano - bass Camila Grey – keyboards Carmen Vandenberg – guitar Matt Walker – drums Make-Up Is a Lie (2026)

Other musicians From Viva Hate Richard Koster, Fenella Barton — violins Rachel Maguire, Mark Davies, Robert Woolhard — cellos John Metcalf - viola From Bona Drag Kirsty Maccoll - backing vocals on "Interesting Drug" Mary Margaret O'Hara - backing vocals on "November Spawned a Monster" Stephen Hopkins - piano on "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" From Kill Uncle Seamus Beaghen and Steven Heart – keyboards Nawazish Ali Khan – violin From Ringleader of the Tormentors Ennio Morricone - string arrangement on "Dear God Please Help Me" Laura Adriani, Gaia e Andrea Baroni, Niccolo Centioni, Julia D'Andrea, Alice e Ester Diodovich, Marco Lorecchio, Charlotte Patrignani - Children's choir on "The Youngest Was the Most Loved", "The Father Who Must Be Killed" and "At Last I Am Born" From Years of Refusal Roger Joseph Manning Jr. – keyboards Mark Isham – trumpet on "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris", "When Last I Spoke to Carol" and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell" Jeff Beck – guitar on "Black Cloud" Michael Farrell – keyboards, accordion, cowbell on "That's How People Grow Up" Kristopher Pooley – Backing vocals on "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed", "When Last I Spoke to Carol" and "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell" Kristeen Young – additional vocals on "That's How People Grow Up" Chrissie Hynde – backing vocals on "Shame Is the Name" From World Peace Is None of Your Business Kristeen Young – backing vocals From Low in High School H.E.R. – violin on "The Girl from Tel-Aviv Who Wouldn't Kneel" and "Israel" Steve Aho – orchestration Songa Lee – violin Kathleen Sloan – violin Erik Arvinder – viola Andy Martin – trombone Fred Simmons – trombone From California Son Steve Aho – orchestration on "Loneliness Remembers What Happiness Forgets" and "Lady Willpower" Billie Joe Armstrong – backing vocals on "Wedding Bell Blues" Brigette Bryant – group vocals on "Wedding Bell Blues" Ed Droste – backing vocals on "Only a Pawn in Their Game"