2. Jeff BuckleyGrace
Morrissey’s early musical crushes – the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Nico et al – are fairly well documented, but information on his admiration for the late Jeff Buckley is rather more scarce. Buckley, however, was vociferous in his devotion to The Smiths, frequently covering classic tracks such as ‘The Boy With The Thorn In His Side’ and ‘I Know It’s Over’ in concert – the latter also made an appearance on the 2007 posthumous compilation So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley. His mother Mary Guilbert even opined after its release: “Jeff was a huge Smiths fan. He thought Morrissey was a living legend, so this song was a very meaningful choice’.
Quite what influence – if any – Buckley had upon Morrissey is unclear; indeed, it’s tempting to interpret Moz’s decision to give the nod to Grace as a returning of the favour for Buckley’s earnest adoration.
