Happy Birthday, Liza with a Z!

March 12th is Liza Minnelli's birthday. She turns 67 this year. The daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, the goddaughter of Kay Thompson, she came into our world to be a gay icon.

In fact, Liza loves gay men so much, she married (and divorced) four of them: the late Peter Allen, Jack Haley Jr. (son of the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, her mama's co-star Jack Haley), Mark Gero and David Gest. Yet, Liza still believes in the sanctity of the institution of marriage, apparently, as she was last seen on the silver screen, as herself in Sex and the City II, singing the Beyonce song, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" at a same-sex wedding.

Of her marriage to Peter Allen, she told The Advocate:  "I married Peter and he didn't tell me he was gay. Everyone knew but me. And I found out... well, let me put it this way: I'll never surprise anybody coming home as long as I live. I call first!" Obviously that plan didn't work either.

Liza recorded with the Pet Shop Boys. The album was Results. It's considered a classic but, at the time of its release (1989), was considered a bit of a disappointment domestically. It spawned three major club hits, especially for her international gay fans: the disco version of "Losing My Mind" from the Stephen Sondheim musical, Follies; a cover version of Yvonne Elliman's "Love Pains"; "Don't Drop Bombs" and the ballad, "So Sorry I Said."

The "Don't Drop Bombs" video is one of the most fabulous ever. Not available on-line, but you can get it as part of Results/Visual Results cd/dvd set. Available at Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Results-Visual-Liza-Minnelli/dp/B0002TLBRU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1394665419&sr=1-1&keywords=liza+minnelli+results

Oddly, Liza visibly took offense (her reaction recorded in the audience) to Ellen's gay joke at the 2014 Oscars. "Hello to the best Liza Minnelli impersonator I've ever seen. Good job, sir!" DeGeneres said, looking at Liza from the stage. Ms Minnelli was obviously not amused. Liza ran out of estrogen three decades ago. She shouldn't be so sensitive at this stage.

She later told NBC's Today show: "I was really fine until she said 'sir,' and then I thought, 'Ouch! Ouch' a little. But I looked at my sister [Lorna Luft] and she was laughing. I thought, 'Well, they just didn't give her the rest of the cue card.' No. I know Ellen, she would have said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, my friend, Liza.' I guess it wasn't supposed to be like that."

Liza has recorded numerous hit albums, starred in numerous smash films (most notably her Oscar-winning and iconic performance as Salley Bowles in Cabaret), has won an Oscar, Emmys, Grammys and Tonys. She is a most divine diva, Hollywood royalty, gay icon, a unique multi-talent and an all-time superstar.

Liza Minnelli, we love you. Happy Birthday!