Illness forces Morrissey cancellations

A nagging viral infection has forced Morrissey to cancel several shows on his US tour.

According to concert promoters, the British alt-rock icon recently saw an ear, nose and throat specialist, who ordered him off the stage until July 7, when Morrissey expects to resume the tour with a makeup date in Boston. A revamped itinerary is included below.

The singer was seven songs into his set at Boston's Bank of America Pavilion June 26 when he had to halt the concert, according to a press release. Following doctors' orders not to sing for five days, Morrissey postponed shows in Northampton, MA; Philadelphia; and New York City.

He resumed the tour July 2 in Vienna, VA, but the show apparently took a toll on his voice, prompting the singer to seek further medical attention--and cancel more gigs.

Shows July 3, 5 and 6 in Baltimore; Atlantic City, NJ; and Holmdel, NJ, respectively, were postponed.

"An announcement will be made as soon as possible as to whether it is possible to reschedule any of these shows and, in the meantime, ticket holders should maintain possession of their tickets," organizers said in a prepared statement.

Morrissey launched his nearly 50-date US tour in late April. The former Smiths vocalist is supporting his eighth solo album, "Ringleader of the Tormentors," which peaked at No. 27 on The Billboard 200. A few songs from the set are streaming at Morrissey's MySpace page.