David Bowie Refuses to Let Morrissey Use His Image

Morrissey and Bowie used to be pals, even touring together during in 1995. But now, it seems their feud continues. Morrissey is set to release a re-mastered version of the 1989 single "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" April 8. According to a Morrissey fanzine, however, when Bowie heard that the artwork of the new CD was to feature a previously unseen image of him and the Smiths singer, he asked EMI not to run it.

The image in question is a photograph by Linder Sterling taken in 1992 and is licensed to EMI (which also owns Bowie's back catalog). Is it similar to this one from June 2, 1991? It's a grainy, black-and-white concert photo that shows the two singing, Morrissey dressed in a see-through black top, during a duet of Cosmic Dancer in Los Angeles.

As some may recall, the original record featured a photograph of 7-year-old Steven Morrissey climbing a tree. The song, which mythologizes the gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray, went to number six in the Top 40 in 1989.

Morrissey hasn't commented yet, since he's currently hospitalized with ulcer-related issues.

But to get you out of the negative mood, go ahead and watch the video for "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" below: