Happy Birthday to Legendary Rocker Van Morrison
He turns 79 today
Happy Birthday to Legendary Rocker Van Morrison
Known for his distinctive voice, genre-defying sound, and introspective lyrics, with a career that now spans over six decades, Sir George Ivan Morrison was born on August 31st, 1945, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Van Morrison grew up in a working-class family in Belfast. His father, a shipyard electrician, had a diverse record collection that exposed young Van to a wide array of musical influences, from jazz and blues to country and gospel. By the age of 12, Morrison was already playing guitar and saxophone, performing with local bands around Belfast.
Van Morrison became famous as the leader of Northern Irish band Them when they released their single “Baby Please Don’t Go” that featured the B-Side Garage Rock song “Gloria” which became their staple and signature song. It has been covered over the years by names such as The Doors, Patti Smith, The Jimi Hendrix Experience among many others. Aside of the mentioned songs, Them also scored hits with “Here Comes the Night”, “Mystic Eyes” both from 1965 and “It’s All Over Baby Blue” a Bob Dylan cover in 1966. During their residency at the Sunset Strip Whiskey A-Go-Go in 1966, Van Morrison meets Jim Morrison of The Doors, back then the local opening band for Them, it has been said that he had a strong influence on the way that Jim Morrison developed his stage persona, this was noted by The Doors drummer John Densmore in his book “Riders on The Storm”. Musicologist Brian Hinton relates how “Jim Morrison learned quickly from his near namesake’s stagecraft, his apparent recklessness, his air of subdued menace, the way he would improvise poetry to a rock beat, even his habit of crouching down by the bass drum during instrumental breaks.” On the final night of their residency at the Whiskey, the two Morrisons and the two bands jammed together on “Gloria” the song became later a staple on The Doors live concerts.
In 1967, Van Morrison launched his solo career with the release of “Blowin’ Your Mind!” which included the iconic hit “Brown Eyed Girl.” However, it was his 1968 album, “Astral Weeks,” that truly cemented his place in music history. Although not a commercial success at the time, “Astral Weeks” is now considered one of the greatest albums ever recorded, celebrated for its poetic lyrics, complex arrangements, and emotional depth.
Morrison continued to evolve his sound throughout the 1970s with albums like “Moondance” (1970) and “Tupelo Honey” (1971), which blended rock, folk, jazz, and blues. His ability to effortlessly cross musical genres made him a unique figure in the music industry, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
Van Morrison’s later career has been marked by consistent productivity, with over 40 studio albums to his name. He has explored various musical styles, from Celtic and folk to jazz and blues. Albums like “Wavelength” (1978), “Avalon Sunset” (1989), and “The Healing Game” (1997) demonstrate his enduring creativity and passion for music.
Today, Morrison remains an active artist, releasing new music and performing live. He released his 36th studio album in September 2016 “Keep Me Singing” and his 2019 album “Three Chords & the Truth” was received with widespread praise. His latest album “Latest Record Project, Volume 1” was released in 2021 and Morrison makes no plans to stop.
Van Morrison has been married several times and has children from his marriages. Despite his fame, Morrison has maintained a reputation for being enigmatic and reserved, preferring to let his music speak for itself.
A living legend of music, throughout the years, Morrison has received numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Check the Van Morrison photo gallery
Watch Van Morrison with Them performing “Mystic Eyes” and “Gloria” in France 1965
Listen to a selection of Van Morrison and Them songs compiled by Pop Expresso on Spotify
Watch more music related videos
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