March 6, 2013 21:50

Morrissey 'Rickrolls' David Bowie following photo ban

Bowie refused to let Morrissey use a picture of the two of them together on a forthcoming release

Photo Gallery: Morrissey

Morrissey has 'Rickrolled' David Bowie by replacing a photo of him with one of 1980s singer Rick Astley.

Last month David Bowie denied Morrissey the right to use an image of the pair together for the artwork on his upcoming single, a repress of 'The Last Of The Famous International Playboys'.

Morrissey has now opted to use a shot of him and singer Rick Astley instead, a photo which was taken backstage at Top Of The Pops in 1989, reports Pitchfork. The artwork is pictured above.

Morrissey is reissuing the 1989 single alongside his 1991 album 'Kill Uncle' in April. However, as revealed in a statement by Morrissey fansite True To You, Bowie refused to give permission for Morrissey to use the photo that he wanted. The statement reads:

"David Bowie has ordered EMI UK not to run the proposed artwork for Morrissey's April 8 issue of the re-mastered The Last of the Famous International Playboys single and CD. The sleeve featured a previously unseen private photograph of Bowie and Morrissey taken by Linder Sterling in New York in 1992. Although Bowie has no legal rights to the photograph, most of his back catalogue is presently licensed to EMI."

Morrissey was recently forced to pull a number of tour dates in the USA after being hospitalised. The former frontman of The Smiths was treated for concussion, a bleeding ulcer and Barrett's esophagus, and had to cancel a number of shows.

Meanwhile, David Bowie will release his first album in 10 years, 'The Next Day', on March 11.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook