Concert promoter: ‘Morrissey cost me $300,000’

A gig promoter has accused Morrissey of leaving him $300,000 (£193,000) out of pocket by cancelling two concerts as the sickly singer’s poor health has left him uninsurable. The former The Smiths star axed two shows in Peru and several more in Chile earlier this month (Jul13) after falling ill with food poisoning, while he previously axed his entire North American tour in March (13) due to complaints including double pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer.
Now a promoter of the shows which were due to take place in Lima, Peru has spoken out to allege he has suffered losses totalling $300,000 as he was unable to insure the singer for the gigs because of his health woes.
Cristian Pereira, chief financial officer of concert promotions company Colors Chile, says, “I have not (sic) the final figure… However, the loss costs – subject to lease by the Jockey Club (venue in Lima), hotel, transfers, taxes – comes to $300,000… That issue (Morrissey’s health) was our concern. When hired as Morrissey’s (concert) company, we wanted to take out insurance and we noticed with surprise that he is uninsurable (because of) the health problems.”
Pereira admits he considered taking legal action against the star but decided not to, as he hopes to promote future Morrissey concerts in South America.
He adds, “We could have taken legal action against his people, but… because we want to maintain a good relationship with the artist (we declined)… We will ask the agent (for) Morrissey to reimburse us the money we gave him… The loss is huge.”