Morrissey to be launch pad for Decca revival.

Decca harkens back to Sixties heyday on the back of Morrissey signing

Decca is to use the signing of Morrissey as a launch pad to return the label to its eclectic Sixties heyday, as it looks to open itself up again to a variety of musical genres.

Morrissey last week signed an open-ended deal with Universal Classics and Jazz, which commits him to a minimum of three albums with Decca. In the UK, the record will be distributed via Polydor.

His label mates will include classical singers such as Andrea Bocelli and Jose Carreras, as well as crossover acts including Russell Watson and Hayley Westenra.

However, Decca Music Group managing director Bogdan Roscic says that the signing marks a change in attitude for Decca. "Obviously we're incredibly happy that he'll be a Decca artist. Decca is changing its approach to look at a much wider core of artists," he says.

"In the Sixties we had The Rolling Stones, the Small Faces and the most brilliant opera recordings all on the label at the same time. It was a very eclectic place looking to sign lots of quality music across many genres.

"I think it's fair to say the label narrowed down the repertoire it focussed on, but I'm looking to expand that. I think it is very well placed to do this again and this is where we're going. I think Morrissey can help bring the label back to where it was."