New Zealand music legend Sir Howard Morrison died overnight at his home in Rotorua. He was 74.
Sir Howard Morrison, OBE was half Maori, half Irish. He started the Howard Morrison Quartet in 1956 and continued the group through to 1964.Morrison was one of New Zealand’s most prolific and well-known entertainers, having done thousands of concert and television appearances during his career.
One of his greatest successes was the protest song ‘My Old Man’s An All Black’, written about Maori football players who were banned from playing in South Africa.
A recent 50th anniversary concert by Morrison was released on DVD. It has been in the New Zealand Top 10 for the past 5 weeks.
Howard Morrison received his OBE in 1986 and was Knighted in 1990. He became ill last week when he was in Raotonga. He died at home in his sleep.
Speaking from New York where he is attending the United Nations conference, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said, “Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career.
“But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand’s best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.”
“I pay tribute to a real gentleman. My thoughts are with his whanau at this time. Sir Howard Morrison will be greatly missed.”
