Time to throw our arms around Morrissey: He turns 50 years old today. (What's the over-under on how many song titles I can work into a blog item? Oh, what differences does it make? And don't panic, I'm sure I can't come up with 50 of them.)

Born Steven Patrick Morrissey on this date back in 1959 in Davyhulme, Urmston, Lancashire, this charming man still has legions of fans who follow every album and tour long after his days with the Smiths ended. Though I'm still miffed that the sweet and tender hooligan tends to get sick and cancel shows every time his tour reaches Florida. Perhaps it's a circulatory problem with his Irish blood and English heart. I know, I know, that joke isn't funny anymore.

So beloved is Moz that fans have created the Happy Birthday Morrissey Web site. Check out all the fan well-wishing going on there. How will the birthday boy celebrate? By playing a gig tonight at the Apollo in Manchester.

And you can stop looking for more song-title puns -- did you really think I could work Piccadilly Palare or Dagenham Dave into a blog item? I've obviously started something I couldn't finish.