NZ's 'Mr Showbusiness' dies
24 Sep 2009
One of New Zealand’s best known entertainers, Sir Howard Morrison, has died at his home in the North Island city of Rotorua.
Sir Howard, who was 74, had a singing career that spanned more than 50 years. He had a history of heart problems and had just returned from a holiday in Rarotonga.
From humble beginnings, Sir Howard gained international fame with his Howard Morrison Quartet, they produced a string of hits in the late 1950s and 1960s before Sir Howard went on to become a successful solo entertainer, never leaving the limelight until his death.
His rich crooning voice appealed to all age groups and made him one of New Zealand’s leading television and concert performers.
Iconic New Zealand entertainer
Sir Howard was awarded an OBE in 1976, and knighted in 1990 for his services to entertainment.
Among a long list of achievements, the iconic New Zealand entertainer sang for the Queen during her 1981 visit to New Zealand, shared the stage in Asia and Hawaii with Sammy Davis Junior and Andy Williams, toured with Donegan and the Everly Brothers and had a guest spot on the Dinah Shore show.
NZ Prime Minister John Key paid tribute to Sir Howard calling him "a real gentleman".
"Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success. But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand’s best loved entertainers. He will be greatly missed," he said.
Showbiz family
Of mixed Maori and Irish ancestry, Sir Howard was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills.
His father, Temuera Morrison, was a Maori All Black and his mother, Kahu Morrison, cut her own record and was a cornerstone of Maori culture and entertainment both nationally and internationally.
His son Howard Junior and daughter Donna are entertainers in their own right. Acclaimed actor Temuera Morrison is a nephew, while rising singing star Elizabeth Marvelly is a niece.
Rise to Fame
Sir Howard formed the Howard Morrison Quartet in 1958 with Noel King, Wi Wharekura and Gerry Merito. Their debut record Battle of Waikato/My Old Man’s an All Black sold 78,000 copies.
A royal command performance, national tours and Australian tours all followed before the quartet disbanded in 1964 and Morrison began making his way as a solo entertainer.
How Great Thou Art
With tunes of wide appeal, such as How Great Thou Art, Sir Howard went on to become known as New Zealand's Mr Showbusiness and embarked on many Southeast Asian tours.
Among his many plaudits, Morrison was HMV Entertainer of the Year in 1986, Entertainer of the Decade in 1989, Feltex Entertainer Award (by public vote) in 1983 and featured in a This is Your Life television programme in 1989.
His 40th anniversary tour in 1995 was a sell out and a concert last year to celebrate 50 years in show business was another resounding success.
One of Sir Howard’s most famous performances was with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in the Rotorua Millennium concert A Knight with a Dame, in February 2000.
Since its release in August, a DVD of Sir Howard’s life, Once in a Lifetime has outsold megastar, Michael Jackson’s DVDs, despite massive sales after Jackson’s death.
Youth and education
Later in life Sir Howard was also involved in youth-at-risk programmes, establishing the Sir Howard Morrison Education Foundation for Te Arawa rangatahi (youth) entering university study and was a trustee of the Books in Homes initiative as well as patron of Victim Support New Zealand.
He was also a founder and trustee of the PTE Manaakitanga Aotearoa Trust based in Rotorua, and Tu Tangata business studies programme. Sir Howard was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Waikato University.
Tributes
Tributes for Sir Howard are pouring in from throughout New Zealand and other parts of the world.
Remi Morrison, 83, who is Sir Howard's first cousin and the Koro Matua, or great grandfather of the family, says the family is in shock.
He says he expects the tangi for Sir Howard to be huge. It will be held at the Tamatekapua meeting house on Rotorua’s well known Ohinemutu marae..
"It's going to be a big occasion for Howard," said Remi.
Sir Howard was due to sing the national anthem at the David Tua v Shane Cameron heavyweight boxing match in Hamilton next week.
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