SO happy birthday Morrissey - 50 today and celebrating with the first of two sell-out shows at the 'Ardwick Apollo'.
"Fifty gruesome years," is how he gets the party started, wry as ever, before launching straight into This Charming Man.
If anything, it's that song which tells us how much he's changed since forming The Smiths 27 years ago.
It bemoans the fact that he wouldn't be going out because he doesn't "have a stitch to wear" and yet here he is, birthday suited and booted, looking just like the coolest uncle at the family do.
Alongside This Charming Man, the set list includes Ask, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others and Girlfriend In A Coma.
Highlights from his nine albums as a solo artist include Throwing My Arms Around Paris, First Of The Gang To Die and Irish Blood, English Heart.
Proving his enduring relevance, that recent classic includes the line "sick to death of Labour... and Tories."
Hell, it could be Thatcher's Britain all over again.
But I can't help feeling that the night lacks icing on the cake.
Save for a souvenir birthday laminate and an impromptu - not to mention unrehearsed - rendition of happy birthday from his backing band, there's nothing to really mark it out from many other
gig.
Golden moments
That's not to say that he isn't good, with plenty of stuff from The Smiths and some golden moments from his solo career.
And lest we forget, Morrissey's fans are so loyal that he could have come on signing George Formby songs and they'd still lap it up.
At times the Moz Pit resembles an angry sea, with fans desperate to surf on to the stage to touch the flesh of their hero.
Morrissey revels in it - rewarding their endeavours with a touch of his hand.
Some of his disciples get to speak through the microphone - although they don't really have much to say.
There's plenty of material from the latest album, Years Of Refusal, and he sparks feeding frenzies on no fewer than three occasions by throwing his sweat soaked shirts into the crowd.
But there are some flat bits.
Then he hasn't been well of late - cancelling some shows on this tour - and we should happy that he's turned up at all.
There are signs of strain on the voice, but he looks to be in good physical shape and I doubt that many people will have left the building feeling too disappointed.
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It was "fifty gruesome years". Top reporting there.
WHO IS HE ????????????
WHO CARES ??????????????????
"Mr Manchester" Hes proud of being a mancunian."He couldnt wait to move to america".
In returning from America he might reflect upon the differences since he was here last, and be thinking heaven knows i’m miserable know.
Bearing in mind 3 of the 4 comments are having a dig at him it's nice to know that you're still that concerned you feel the need to post something derogatory. I'm sure he'll not sleep tonight after your comments!!!
Well, I went last night and it was one of the best gigs he has ever done. For 50, he looks amazing and has the energy of a 20 year old. What a fantastic night !
Aah, he was lovely last night, and so was the crowd. Truly a night to remember for the rest of my life. The love was palpable, and those who moan on here really don't know what they are talking about. So what if he moved to America? He moved away from America, too! Why so bitter?
Be proud of him, he's done well!
Still ill but frankly, Mr Shankly, is it really so strange? Some may paint a vulgar picture or oscillate wildly but the boy with the thorn in his side could stop me if you’ve heard this one before since this charming man is a handsome devil returning back to old house near rusholme ruffians. Accept yourself since half a person asleep goes nowhere fast in a panic. A miserable lie to a vicar in a tutu well i wonder what she said but William, it was really nothing.
Mozza the best wordsmith ever.
Come on manchester! Who the eck is he outside of manchester?
He doesn't even look the part never mind having a great singing voice?
Try asking your corner music shop owner on any street in california: Is morrisy a huge hit in the music world and they will look you in the eyes and say: Who?
Hmmm - Paul, you might not like him and that's fair enough but if you actually did your homework and checked, you would find he is very well known from Australia to South America.
He has actually put Manchester on the map as hundreds of American fans come over to our city every year to tour the places Morrissey has highlighted throughout his career.
He must of been pretty good because you thought the need to write anything good or bad, he made you move and use the keyboard. The man from Manchester made you write !
Happy Birthday....When are you coming to Sydney?
paul t, bolton
We take your wise words onboard sir,bearing in mind you're from that hotbed of popular music....Bolton! Mozza will never make it as big as the 'Houghton weavers' will he?
'Try asking your corner music shop owner on any street in california: Is morrisy a huge hit in the music world and they will look you in the eyes and say: Who?
paul t, bolton'
Pssst Paul. In 2007, Morrissey had a 10 day run of concerts at the Hollywood Palladium. Hollywood is in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is in California. Morrissey lived in LA for several years.
Doh!
The first thing a lot of people mention in America when you tell them you're from Manchester is either United, or Morrissey. Couldn't have picked a worse State to say he's unknown in, he's an icon in California, especially amongst the Latinos.