Morrissey, the Kray Twins, and the Glamour of Violence

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" was a critique of the media's idolizing tendencies that, decades later, has consistently gotten worse. This episode unravels the depths of Morrissey's third single and its dark ties to real-life gangsters (Ronnie and Reggie Kray), the glamorization of violence, and the media’s obsession with infamy. This story traces the song’s roots in British crime history, its place in Morrissey’s post-Smiths identity, and the dangerous allure of being seen, even if it means becoming the villain.

Watch the episode on YouTube and go deeper with more video episodes. 

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Poetic Wax is a weekly music history series hosted by Andy Fenstermaker, where he digs into the record collection he's been building since the 1990s to uncover the sometimes little told stories behind the artists, albums, and songs from within.