Cliff Richard: I’m going to make it difficult for Morrissey to follow me

Sir Cliff Richard has spoken about his forthcoming support slot with Morrissey, addressing their opposing beliefs regarding the monarchy and vegetarianism. Despite their differences, however, Richard has said he’s grateful to be opening for the former Smiths frontman at New York’s Barclays Centre on 21 June.

“It’s a great honour for me to be asked by someone like him because no one would expect him to ask me, and that’s what I like about it,” Richard told the BBC. His manager had called him in Barbados with the request from Morrissey, to which Sir Cliff replied that his answer would be “yes but can you check that it’s not a joke, an ulterior motive in any way?”

Richard also said the chances of him playing to 15,000 people in New York were “pretty well nil” without the support of Morrissey, but stated he was determined to make his one-hour set the best he possibly could: “I’m just going to make it really difficult for Morrissey to follow me.”

In the past, Morrissey has asked venues to refrain from serving meat on dates when he’s scheduled to perform, but Richard admits he isn’t planning to go vegetarian for the day, adding: “If I found he was offended by people eating meat then I won’t eat it in front of him. But I’ll have a chicken curry afterwards.”

However, Richard seemed more preoccupied with deciding what to call Morrissey. “I found out his name is Patrick [Morrissey’s name is actually Steven Patrick], but I’m not quite sure whether he likes to be called Morrissey, Mr Morrissey or Pat,” he said. “All I can say is “Thank you, Patrick, or Morrissey” – I’m not quite sure how to refer to him – and I’m so grateful that he’s thought of having me on the show.”

The True to You fansite revealed tour posters for Morrissey’s two confirmed US concerts on Thursday. The first show will be in May and is due to feature Sir Tom Jones and songwriter Kristeen Young, while Sir Cliff will join Young for the Barclays Centre date.

Source: The Guardian