This is Morrissey’s first correspondence to his Scottish pen-pal Robert Mackie, from 1980.
21-year-old Morrissey was writing in response to a personal ad placed in Sounds magazine, and his message, written on the back of a postcard featuring a picture of James Dean reads:
Steven Morrissey
384- Kings Rd
STRETFORD
Manchester- M32 8GWDear Person,
So nice to know there’s another soul out there, even if it is in Glasgow.
Does being Scottish bother you? Manchester is a lovely little place, if you happen to be a bedridden deaf mute.
I’m unhappy, hope you’re unhappy too.
In poverty,
Steven
Morrissey and Mackie remained pen-pals for 18 months, shortly before the formation of The Smiths in 1983.
With thanks to Letter of Note