Howard Morrison

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use New Zealand English Template:See also Template:Infobox person Sir Howard Leslie Morrison Template:Post-nominals (18 August 1935 – 24 September 2009) was a New Zealand entertainer. From 1964 until his death in 2009, he was one of New Zealand's leading television and concert performers. Morrison was also known for his active support for Māori youth.

Early life

Of Māori (Te Arawa), Irish, and Scottish descent,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Morrison was born to Temuera Leslie Morrison, a Māori All Black who worked for the Māori Affairs Department, and Kahurangi Morrison (née Gertrude Harete Davidson) who was known for her work in culture and entertainment.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_2898355">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Morrison grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna near Waikaremoana. He attended a "native school" in the Urewera before going to Te Aute College and Rotorua Boys' High School.<ref name="musicnet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After leaving school he had a variety of manual jobs including survey chainman, electricity meter reader and storeman at the Whakatu freezing works.

Family

Morrison and his three surviving sisters, Judy Tapsell, Rene Mitchell and Linda Morrison, lost their oldest brother Laurie in 1974. Another brother, Charlie, died in infancy and youngest sister Atareta Maxwell died suddenly in January 2007 from a heart attack. Their mother Kahurangi died in 1995, and their father Temuera when they were young. <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career

File:Howard Morrison Quartet at the Crystal Palace Ballroom, Mt Eden Road, 1959 (cropped).jpg

Morrison performing with the Howard Morrison Quartet in 1959

In 1955, Morrison assembled vocal groups to entertain at Rotorua rugby club socials, and the following year, won the 1956 Rotorua Soundshell Talent Quest with the original Howard Morrison Quartet members and their extended whānau, leading him to decide to pursue music as a career.<ref>Tebbutt, Leah. (8 March 2019). 'Remembering Soundshell: A building of many purposes'. Rotorua Daily Post.</ref><ref name="Morrison Funeral">'Maori warriors lead Sir Howard Morrison's whānau'. Stuff (website).</ref> In the same year, Morrison was a member of the successful Aotearoa Concert Party that toured Australia. In this group was Gerry Merito who with Morrison formed the Ohinemutu Quartet which was later renamed "Howard Morrison Quartet". Other original members of the quartet were Morrison's brother Laurie and his cousin John, but they left and were replaced by Wi Wharekura and Noel Kingi<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> who were fixtures in the quartet at its heights. In 1966 he appeared in the John O'Shea film Don't Let It Get You. From 1977 to 1989 he was spokesman, often with Ray Woolf<ref>'Ray Woolf'. 8 June 2022. NZ on Screen</ref> for Bic products such as lighters and pens, appearing in many television commercials for the brand.<ref>"Bic Flik!" Ad (circa 1988)'. YouTube.</ref><ref>'New Zealand gets the flick from Bic'. Stuff (website)</ref>

Following Morrison’s Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II in 1981, the hymn "How Great Thou Art" (Whakaaria Mai) became his de facto theme song for the latter part of his career, after a recording of it by Morrison became one of the country's biggest selling singles, spending five weeks at No 1 on the New Zealand charts.<ref name="NZ History">Howard Morrison - How Great Thou Art. History of New Zealand. nzhistory.govt.nz official site.</ref> From 1970 to 1983, Morrison hired as his musical director, Wayne Senior whose orchestral arrangement of "How Great Thou Art" featured in the 'Howard Morrison Special' concert he conducted at Founders Theatre in 1982.<ref>Wayne Senior. SouNZ Centre for New Zealand Music: sounz.org.nz official website.</ref><ref>'Howard Morrison Special - Hamilton'. NZ on Screen.</ref> In the same year, Morrison toured New Zealand with his 5-piece Rotorua Māori showband led by bassist Bundy Waitai,<ref>'Tama Renata WORKSHOP at the 24hr Telethon 1980s'. Performing with Bundy Waitai (Bass) and Dale Renata (Drums). YouTube.</ref><ref>'Te Reo o Ngā Manu Tioro - Bundy Waitai'. 2022 Radio interview: Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori.</ref> that included Pākehā keyboards player Derek Williams, jocularly dubbed 'Albino Māori' by Morrison.<ref>Skiffington, Toni. (1 February 1997). 'Derek came out to find success and become a role model'. Page 14 (full page). The Daily Post (Rotorua, New Zealand)</ref>

Tu Tangata

Morrison was a consultant on youth development for Te Puni Kōkiri (Department Of Maori Affairs) and used his profile to improve self esteem, promote achievement and encourage participation in higher levels of learning by young Māori, visiting many schools in the process. He developed wānanga (education programmes) on marae and used his entertainment skills to promote the Tu Tangata, or ‘Stand Tall’ programme. Morrison’s nationwide Tu Tangata tour in 1979 brought the Quartet together again, with Toni Williams replacing Wi Wharekura, and the Morrison family, including Howard's mother, Kahu, joining the tour.<ref name="NZ History" />

Honours and achievements

File:Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre 157.jpg

The Civic Theatre in Rotorua was renamed the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre

In 1970, he received the Benny Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Morrison's profile in the Pacific Rim area was used by the New Zealand Trade Commission to help promote the region.<ref name="NZ History" /> As a result, in the 1976 New Year Honours, Morrison was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to entertainment,<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref> and he was made a Knight Bachelor in the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours, also for services to entertainment.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

In March 2006, Morrison was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Waikato, joining such alumni as Janet Frame, Dame Malvina Major, Hare Puke, Tui Adams, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Neil and Tim Finn, Michael King, Margaret Mahy and Rotorua historian Don Stafford in receiving the award.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the 2007 Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi awards Morrison received the Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi Award for Maori Artists.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 14 October 2009, Morrison was selected by Te Aute College to be a part of its 1st XV leaders group at a function at Te Papa in Wellington. The honour is given to former pupils over the age of 55 who have made a significant contribution to Māori society. Morrison attended Te Aute College from 1949 to 1952.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Other awards

• 1966 Entertainer of the Year<ref name=":0" />
• 1982 Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, Golden Microphone<ref name=":0" />
• 1983 Feltex Awards (New Zealand) Best Television Entertainer<ref name=":0" />
• 1986 Nominated for Best Performer in an Entertainment Programme: for Now is the Hour - HMV Entertainer of the Year<ref name=":0" />
• 1994 New Zealand Film and Television Award for the Best Entertainment Programme for Howard Morrison: Now Is The Hour<ref name=":0" />

Death

Morrison died in his sleep from a heart attack and was found by one of his grandchildren on taking him his morning cup of tea. He died in Ohinemutu and lay in state in Tamatekapua, the premier meeting house of Te Arawa at Te Papaiouru Marae in Rotorua.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was survived by his wife Rangiwhata Ann Manahi (born 1937,<ref name=STUFF1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> married 1957) known as Lady Kuia, two sons and a daughter Donna Mariana Grant, Richard Te Tau Morrison and Howard Morrison Jr.<ref name=NZH>Template:Cite news</ref> He was also uncle to movie actor Temuera Morrison and kapa haka performer Taini Morrison.

Attendees at his tangihanga (funeral) included Rotorua mayor Kevin Winter, Chinese ambassador Zhang Limin, Sir Michael Fay, MPs Tariana Turia, Georgina te Heuheu, Hekia Parata, Steve Chadwick and Rotorua MP Todd McClay, then former MP Winston Peters,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Te Puni Kokiri chief executive Leith Comer<ref name=STUFF1/> and Māori king Tūheitia Paki.<ref name="Morrison Funeral" />

Morrison was buried at Kauae Cemetery in Ngongotahā, Rotorua. His grave lies alongside those of his parents and other close whānau.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Discography

The Howard Morrison Quartet

Singles

Released on Zodiac Records

• "Po Kare Kare Ana" (1959)
• "Hawaiian Cowboy Song" (1960)

Released on La Gloria Records

• "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (1961)
• "George, the Wilder N.Z. Boy" (1964)

Released on unknown label

• "Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art)" (1981)<ref>List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand)</ref>Template:Circular reference

Albums and EPs

Released on Zodiac Records

• 4 – The Fabulous Howard Morrison Quartet EP (1960)
• "The Battle of the Waikato" (1960)

Released on La Gloria Records

• Four Popular Maori Songs Volume One (1960)
• Pot-Pourri (1960)
• On Stage – Off Stage (1960)
• These Were Their Finest (1960)
• Maori Songs (1962)
• Alive! Need We Say More? (1962)
• Hits of the Road (1962)
• Mind If We Sing? (1962)
• Laugh Along EP (1964)
• Take Ten (1967)
• Born Free (1968)
• Power Game (1969)
• Return of a Legend: Joe Brown (1975)
• Morrison Magic (1979)

Solo

Studio albums

Year	Title	NZ peak <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982	Spectacular	6
1990	Live in Concert	13
1992	Music of the Night	42
1994	Christmas Collection	13
1995	This Is My Life	22
2002	Ol' Brown Eyes: Golden Songs of Sir Howard & The Fabulous Howard Morrison Quartet	11
2011	The Definitive Collection	5
2015	How Great Thou Art: The Very Best Of	4

Other albums

• Howard Morrison (1982)
• Songs of New Zealand (1985)
• Give Your Love – On Stage Off Stage (1998)<ref name="musicnet"/>
• This Is My Life (2009)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Video

• Once in a Lifetime: He kotuku rerenga tahi (DVD, 2009)<ref>Template:Cite video</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

External links

• Biography at Music.net.nz
• Biography on NZHistory.net.nz
• A number of full-length documentaries featuring Howard Morrison are available online from NZ On Screen including This Is Your Life – Sir Howard Morrison (1989)
• Pickmere, Arnold. (24 September 2009). Sir Howard Morrison's obituary. New Zealand Herald.
• Howard Morrison - Discogs