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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Morrissey celebrates half-century | Morrissey celebrates half-century |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Singer Morrissey has marked his 50th birthday with a sell-out gig and a rapturous reception from fans in his hometown of Manchester. | Singer Morrissey has marked his 50th birthday with a sell-out gig and a rapturous reception from fans in his hometown of Manchester. |
| Friday's show at the Apollo saw Morrissey in high spirits as he cracked jokes and shook hands with the crowd. | Friday's show at the Apollo saw Morrissey in high spirits as he cracked jokes and shook hands with the crowd. |
| A noisy standing ovation welcomed Morrissey as he first came on stage and announced: "Fifty gruesome years!" | A noisy standing ovation welcomed Morrissey as he first came on stage and announced: "Fifty gruesome years!" |
| The gig featuring both Smiths' classics and Morrissey's solo work was part of an ongoing sell-out world tour. | The gig featuring both Smiths' classics and Morrissey's solo work was part of an ongoing sell-out world tour. |
| Smartly dressed in black suit and tie, the singer began the gig with This Charming Man - an iconic track from his time with The Smiths. | Smartly dressed in black suit and tie, the singer began the gig with This Charming Man - an iconic track from his time with The Smiths. |
| Other Smiths' hits on the night included Girlfriend In A Coma, Ask, How Soon Is Now? and Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. | Other Smiths' hits on the night included Girlfriend In A Coma, Ask, How Soon Is Now? and Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. |
| While from his solo playlist, Morrissey sang I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris and First Of The Gang To Die. | While from his solo playlist, Morrissey sang I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris and First Of The Gang To Die. |
| He also sang his latest single Something Squeezing My Skull - and then complained about its poor performance in the charts. | He also sang his latest single Something Squeezing My Skull - and then complained about its poor performance in the charts. |
| "You would need a miner's helmet and a degree in anthropology to find it in the shops," he told the crowd. | "You would need a miner's helmet and a degree in anthropology to find it in the shops," he told the crowd. |
| 'I love you' | 'I love you' |
| During the gig, the band broke off from the agenda to play Happy Birthday, to which the audience sang along. | During the gig, the band broke off from the agenda to play Happy Birthday, to which the audience sang along. |
| "I'm not 50, I'm actually 40-10," responded the singer. | "I'm not 50, I'm actually 40-10," responded the singer. |
| Throughout the evening, Morrissey teased his audience. | Throughout the evening, Morrissey teased his audience. |
| He would point the microphone at individuals, asking them if they wanted to say anything, then pull it away before they got the chance. | He would point the microphone at individuals, asking them if they wanted to say anything, then pull it away before they got the chance. |
| Finally he gave in, allowing two fans to speak. | Finally he gave in, allowing two fans to speak. |
| "I can't quite believe it. Happy birthday Morrissey, mate," said one man. | "I can't quite believe it. Happy birthday Morrissey, mate," said one man. |
| A young woman then declared: "I love you, you handsome devil." | A young woman then declared: "I love you, you handsome devil." |
| Tickets for the special homecoming gig had sold out in 15 minutes. | Tickets for the special homecoming gig had sold out in 15 minutes. |
| The occasion was marked inside the Apollo with drapes over the bar featuring a backdrop of Morrissey on stage with the words: "Who Put the M in Manchester?" | The occasion was marked inside the Apollo with drapes over the bar featuring a backdrop of Morrissey on stage with the words: "Who Put the M in Manchester?" |
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| A selection of famous "Morrissey moments" through the ages | A selection of famous "Morrissey moments" through the ages |
| Morrissey has remained close to his roots despite his global fame. | Morrissey has remained close to his roots despite his global fame. |
| He formed The Smiths with guitarist Johnny Marr in 1982. | He formed The Smiths with guitarist Johnny Marr in 1982. |
| The group went on to achieve huge success and a loyal fanbase with their very particular angst-ridden sound and lyrics. | The group went on to achieve huge success and a loyal fanbase with their very particular angst-ridden sound and lyrics. |
| The band split in 1987 and lead singer Morrissey released the solo album Viva Hate just a few months later. | The band split in 1987 and lead singer Morrissey released the solo album Viva Hate just a few months later. |
| Several albums have followed including 2009's Years Of Refusal. |