Steven Patrick Morrissey (born May 22, 1959) is a singer and songwriter from Stretford, Manchester, England. He rose to prominence as the vocalist of the highly influential British group The Smiths. When the band broke up in 1987, Morrissey began a successful solo career and has had the distinction of charting top ten British singles in three separate decades. Detractors usually describe his work as depressing, while fans point to the sardonic humour and acidic wit.