Steven Morrissey (b.1959), songwriter and former singer with The Smiths: a five-page handwritten letter from Morrissey to his pen pal, Simon Pitt, May (or June) 1977 (although he has dated it ' February 32nd, 1942'), signed 'Steve'.

He has included a passport photograph of himself - the only one that exists in this collection of letters - with the caption 'Poseurs of the world unite! S.M. in the UK 1977. Or, if your glasses don't fit then why should your face?'

The letter begins, 'Hello you, Thank you, O bearded one, for your most recent attempt at letter-writing. I must admit, your letters aren't too bad these days, why just the other day I almost read one right the way through. Well, what better way to start a letter than to have a pic of me (remember me?).... I'm not being vain (although I'm sure you'll find some use for it...hmmmm!?) I just thought I'd let you know that I still look quite human. Are you surprised? And no, you don't have to send me a foto of yourself - not until you shave that beard off, you ol' hippie.'

Following comments on various music artists, the letter continues, 'Yes, I do have plans to leave my job. I am presently in the process of (at last!!!) finalising plans to get back to the States. A company called Brook Street Bureau are helping me. God, I'm excited!! Wouldn't you like to live the land of milk and honey? Or don't you like honey?..

'Actually, my man, I shall send you 'Shy Talk' next letter so you can get a good idea of what's happening here. They have accepted me as a contributor, but I'm too lazy to bother. Ah, how success ruins a body...'

'For Christs sake Simon, where were the Ramones in your Top Ten? Eleven? Oh I've been through so much toil trying to get you to recognise the Dolls and Patti's genius and I fear I've got to cover the same ground for the Ramones.'

Following Morrissey listing his current favourite singles and albums, he writes a review of the Ramones (and Talking Heads) gig, at the Electric Circus in Manchester. This event is seen as a pivotal moment in the burgeoning UK Punk scene: '[Talking Heads] seemed to be on stage for two weeks. They reminded me of 'Alpen' - lovely, but two bowls full? Mmmm. The Ramones were incredible. 29 songs in 50 minutes. Joey Ramone's head brushed off the ceiling, every song began 'one, chew, tree, faw'. Four encours [sic], people rushed the stage, Beatlemania all over again. Highlight came when Joey held a banner bearing those immortal words: 'Gabba, Gabba, Hey'. If you weren't there - your [sic] square. We swam in perspiration.'

Morrissey then refers to a Television and Blondie concert, as well as another by The Heartbreakers, before ending with 'By all means keep 'Penetration'. God knows what you can do with it though. Do you still like the Runaways? Have you heard Patti's 'My Generation'? What of The Sex Pistols toon? Did you buy it? Love the B-side. I've got a huge promotion poster on my wall, my mother hates it! Ha! Presently writing to a 30 year old female non-conformist who lives for Patti Smith in a cottage called Kimberly in Wolverhampton. I found her via R.M. Just bought 3 t-shirts - one Blondie, one Sex Pistols, one Gabba Gabba Hey. Oh, it's expensive being a, ahem, punk. Be well and write whenever. Steve'

Part of an extensive archive of letters received from Morrissey, by Simon Pitt, of Birmingham. Retained by Simon's family.

At the age of 16 (in 1974), Simon sought a penpal with similar interests and was paired with Steven Morrissey. United by their forthright views on music and their enthusiasm for writing, the two corresponded regularly. While Morrissey ultimately entered the music industry, Simon’s aspirations centred on writing. His first role was in the library at the University of Birmingham, but he later left to pursue his ambition, completing a Creative Arts degree with a specialism in creative writing.

Following his degree course, he applied for the Government’s Enterprise Allowance Scheme to launch his career as a children’s poet and storyteller. His performances took him across the UK and Europe, from theatres and schools to more unconventional spaces like tents, buses, and boats.

He was appointed a “troubadour” for a poetry initiative supported by West Midlands Arts, the Poetry Society, and local councils bringing poetry to communities and making it accessible to all.

Simon’s poetry and short stories found their way into print through various anthologies as well as his own published collections.

One of Simon’s proudest achievements was being named Birmingham’s Poet Laureate in 2000 and in 2002, he was commissioned to create a series of poems for the new Bull Ring shopping complex words carved into stone that remain there to this day.

In recent years, as arts funding declined and opportunities became scarce, Simon, determined to stay true to his craft and struggling with his mental health gradually withdrew from public life. He sadly passed away in 2025 aged 67.

Simon described himself as a poet, raconteur, rapper, and writer - a rebel in a cardigan.