Registered History Facts: Sire Records
Registered Historical Facts* is my regular series on Morrissey and the Smiths’ appearances in pop culture.
Just Say Sire (2017)
I just learned that Sire Records’ former top executive Howie Klein has died on Christmas eve to pancreatic cancer, at the age of 77.
During his time, he worked with everyone from The Smiths to Depeche Mode to Madonna. The man knew a hit song when he heard it. He would later moved onto greener pastures as president of Warner’s Reprise Records from 1989 to 2001. Toward the later years of his life, he was involved in political activism and anti-censorship.
Say what you will, but The Smiths probably wouldn’t have been as big as they were without Sire. Sure, in England, they were signed to Rough Trade Records… which is smaller, in terms of marketing department and staff, compared to Sire Records. Sire was the record label that pushed “How Soon Is Now?” to American radio – a song that clearly defines the Smiths. The song was originally a throwaway B-Side to William It Was Really Nothing… so I’m happy that others re-examine the song and decided to make that a real single, instead of a B-Side.
Having said that, it was released in the USA as an A-Side, accompanied with a music video and an image of The Smiths (as a band on the cover of the promotional record)… but unfortunately, the song failed to chart.
Rest in peace, Howie Klein.
Read more Musicians Who Died.
Merry Morry (Dec 25, 2025)
According to msn.com:
On Instagram and his website last night (Dec. 18), Morrissey revealed that he’d signed a new deal with Sire by sharing a photo of the label’s logo. Moz didn’t make any additional remarks beyond some celebratory emojis, but a rep for the singer did confirm the signing is official.
There’s no word yet on when Morrissey will drop new music on Sire, but it could happen soon. The singer-songwriter hasn’t released a solo album since 2020’s I Am Not a Dog on a Chain, but he’s repeatedly teased two follow-up albums, which have yet to be released.
It might not be a full-blown record deal, but rather a means for Morrissey to finally release his Bonfire of Teenagers album that was originally recorded in 2020-2021 with Iggy Pop, Chad Smith, Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, and Miley Cyrus (although she quietly asked to be removed due to Morrissey’s political views).
By the way, this is possible because Morrissey paid the exit fee to Capitol Records so that they can return Bonfire and World Peace Is None of Your Business back in 2024. Since then, he’s been shopping around for a record label to release his music.
I have previously mentioned that Moz should just release the music directly. He has a big fanbase that can (and will) support him. Selling direct, particularly doing special printing – maybe autographs or other incentives – might make Morrissey more money than what a label can offer in return.
Of course, Morrissey is from the old world. He wants his name in lights. He wants to hear his music on terrestrial radio. He wants his face on the television… But it’ll never happen. And I’ll tell you, you just haven’t earned it yet, baby.
* The title comes a line in The Queen is Dead:
So, I checked all the registered historical facts
and I was shocked into shame to discover
how I’m the 18th pale descendent
of some old queen or other
has the world changed, or have I changed?
and I was shocked into shame to discover
how I’m the 18th pale descendent
of some old queen or other
has the world changed, or have I changed?
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