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Is charming man Morrissey’s memoir canceled?

Morrissey performs at Staples Center.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Singer Morrissey has certainly got some stories to tell. But the 660-page book that promised to share at least a few of his secrets has been pulled on the eve of its publication in the U.K.

Morrissey’s “Autobiography” was said to be slated for publication Monday. But “a last-minute content disagreement between Penguin Books and Morrissey has caused the venture to collapse,” according to Morrissey fan site true-to-you.net.

The solo artist and frontman of the Smiths has long been an enigmatic figure. He may have been the first vegan pop star, making a hit record titled “Meat Is Murder” in 1985. He was famously celibate -- although there was endless speculation about whether he might be bisexual or gay. And, of course, he wrote and sang some of the most memorable songs of the 1980s.

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His fans have always been, and remain, devoted. His latest tour included a sold-out Staples Center show in March.

On that same tour, performing in New Jersey, he had seemed to indicate that his memoir was on its way. And he circuitously confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he’d been working on a book, saying, “I’ve never felt fully present in my own life. I’ve always felt like a ghost drifting through. I’m not actually flesh. So autobiography is a therapeutic act of self-loyalty, even if, like me, you end up with chapters of self-disgust rather than reams of narcissism. If the book doesn’t come out soon, I’ll burn it.”

According to the site, Morrissey is seeking a new publisher. Penguin did not respond to our request for comment.

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