The audience was loving Morrissey in San Jose Wednesday night, until "one or two" wild fans ended up tackling the former lead singer of The Smiths to the ground, ending the concert and leaving one devotee hoping that the 54-year-old '80s singer is OK.
James Fleishman, 44, of Santa Clara took a minute-long video of the tussle, which he said happened about 10:30 p.m. at the City National Civic in San Jose, where Morrissey was performing - a boon to those who adore him, and were tired of his repeated cancellations, mostly due to health reasons.
The video shows a string of supporters hopping on stage during the second encore song, "One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell," to hug the singer, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey.
Then, 55 seconds into the video, one or two fans hug Morrissey so hard, he fell to the ground.
"It just created a melee," said Fleishman, who has been a Morrissey fan since high school, and who recently wrote a book, "Inside Story," after being falsely convicted of being a Wall Street inside trader. "He ended up hitting the floor and the lights came on within seconds, it was a very abrupt ending. I hope he's OK."
Before that, Fleishman said the concert was great. He had seen Morrissey in Berkeley in 1986, and in Oakland in 2009, and said that on Wednesday, the singer seemed to have "even more energey" that he did five years ago.
In classic Morrissey fashion, the singer had also invited people up to the stage during the show to come introduce the band members. "People had been very gentle, very orderly," he said.
Unfortunately, Fleishman it got unruly just at the end.
"No one was trying to hurt him," Fleishman said. "I don't know, they seemed drunk or out of control. It was no fault of Morrissey. Maybe he needs more security, but that's part of the Morrissey experience. People have been storming his stage for 30 years."
According to Morrissey's "Solo" tour website, he is scheduled to sing in Santa Ana today at 8 p.m. and in Los Angeles on Saturday.
