Morrissey Challenges Madonna to Strip Down Her Stage Show Like Piaf

Morrissey has challenged modern female pop stars to strip down their stage show and just perform - like his heroine Edith Piaf.

The former The Smiths star admits he's not a huge fan of dramatic acts like Madonna, Lady Gaga and others who can only perform amid a sea of dancers - and he wants great singers to step forward.

He tells Billboard.com, "I say without bitterness that it is nothing new. I like the idea of women who are in full control, but I am tired of seeing singers who cannot deliver a song without the aide of 750 frenzied dancers assuming the erotic. It is actually fraudulent, and the exact opposite of erotic.

"Edith Piaf was seven inches high, always wore a modest black dress, and sang without stage sets or lights, and her voice roared above the wind, with the most incredible powers of communication. I'd like to see McDonna (Madonna) attempt that."