JOSEPH NAMSINH & MORRISSEY

PASADENA, CA.

1991

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It seemed a simple enough question from the waiter in the Pasadena bar:

“Can I take your order please?”

But fan Joe was in a mild panic.

What on earth would his new drinking partner want to drink?  Morrissey and his band members played pool nearby, It’s not everyday that you get to buy your idol a beer. Joe didn’t want to make a bad choice and present Morrissey with the wrong tipple. Was it vodka or Tizer? He couldn’t quite remember...    

Luckily help was at hand from Morrissey’s guitarist Boz Boorer:

“Joe, just get him a dark ale.” 

As Joe nervously handed the cold drink to his idol,

Morrissey smiled approval and said

“Thanks.”

For a few extraordinary weeks in the early 1990s, Joe Namsinh’s love of

rare vintage clothes and second hand records opened all kinds of doors. Through mutual friendship with Boz Boorer, Morrissey soon got to hear about the vinyl loving Californian kid who spent his days hunting out collectable threads.   And when Morrissey finally caught up with Joe he had some questions:

“Do you think you could find some Timi Yuro or Buffy Saint Marie records?

And where did you find your vintage Levi’s jacket?”

Joe, dressed in a mint condition 1950s Levi’s was stunned to find himself chatting to his hero about mutual passions.

“I’d been collecting rare clothes and records most of my life. And when I met Morrissey it was just two collectors sharing information on the things we liked.

“He was impressed about my knowledge of vintage collecting and I was welcomed into the private circle and invited to hang out at some concerts.”

Growing up in Montebello, California, Joe first heard The Smiths in the mid 1980s and fell in love with them. The keen artist followed Morrissey’s solo career from the other side of the Atlantic never dreaming he would ever befriend the star. It was Joe’s artwork that first grabbed attention and almost granted him an early audience with the singer.

The radio station KROQ ran a Morrissey painting competition. An artistic fan that could come up with the best portrait of Morrissey would meet the star. Not only that, the winner would have his or her work adorn the forthcoming Interlude single.  Joe created a dramatic blue portrait of his idol and he won the competition.

But success was short lived. Because of touring commitments, the prize of meeting Morrissey never materialised and then a further blow – the winning painting was never even used on the record sleeve.

Joe: “At that time I was really sad that I missed out on meeting him and also missed out on my painting being used on the record sleeve.

My heart dropped twice that month.

“But I always say things happen for a reason and if it wasn't meant to be at that time, then maybe I’d meet him at some other point...”

Fast forward a few months and amazingly Joe wasn’t just meeting Morrissey, he was hanging out with him.

“Morrissey played a concert in Pasadena and as I knew Boz Boorer I was invited to tag along. After the concert I got to hang out with the band and played pool with them.”

Joe went on to meet Morrissey on several occasions. The singer’s band put on a rockabilly show in Van Nuys, California and Joe stood with Morrissey just watching the guys perform.

Joe: “I had many friends who were amazed that I was hanging out with Morrissey and they always asked to come along...

“But it just wouldn’t have been right. I was just honoured to be in Morrissey’s company so didn’t really want to mess it up.   

“The little time I had talking to Morrissey was short and sweet. He was very quiet but sometimes really funny. He had some great one-liners.”

But what did Joe say to Morrissey?

“Well, I tried not to say too much or go and embarrass myself. I just kept it simple and friendly. I was just in awe and very happy.

“It was an amazing experience, something I can't really explain in words. I was an honoured guest invited into Morrissey’s world and I hold the memories dear to my heart.” 

THEN: Joe was in his early 20s and hoping that his

artwork would take him places...

NOW: Joe, 40, has spent a lifetime being in the right place at the right time. He has carved his name out of meeting the biggest names in film, TV and music. Joe promotes his art to famous celebrities, their signature then becomes part of the artwork. Joe: “I've met hundreds of celebrities over the years and no-one holds a candle to Morrissey. He is top on my list, my best musical artist, legendary idol and mentor. I really thank Morrissey and Boz for their friendship and kindness. Those few weeks in 1991 were among the greatest of my life.”