Sir Howard Morrison dies
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Iconic New Zealand entertainer Sir Howard Morrison has died, according to reports.
Sir Howard, 74, who had a history of heart problems, died at his home in Rotorua. He had just returned from a holiday in Rarotonga.
He was awarded an OBE in 1976, and knighted in 1990 for his services to entertainment, becoming Sir Howard.
He had a singing career for more than 50 years, gaining fame as his Howard Morrison Quartet ran up a string of hits in the late 1950s and 1960s.
He married Rangiwhata Ann Manahi in 1957.
Of mixed Maori and Pakeha ancestry, Sir Howard was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills. They had two sons and a daughter.
He said Sir Howard had made an immense contribution to New Zealand music over more than 50 years.
Prime Minister paid tribute to Sir Howard from New York, where he is at the United Nations, calling him “a real gentleman”. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career.
“Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story.
Sir Howard received his knighthood in 1990 for services to entertainment.
“But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand’s best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group.
“My thoughts are with his whanau at this time.
“My thoughts are with his whanau at this time. .”
RISE TO FAME
The boy from Ruatahuna, via Ohinemutu, son of a Maori All Black, the boy who was never going to follow in his father’s footsteps because, while he thought he was “crash hot”, never made the school First XV or even Second XV, who had won a Christmas talent quest fronting the Ohinemutu Quartet, as it was known then, was smoking.
A year later, the foursome were on the road, their first national tour ending in a sellout gig at the Auckland Town Hall, where The Battle of the Waikato, Merito’s parody of the Lonnie Donnegan hit The Battle of New Orleans, was premiered. Hoki Mai, a Maori version of There’s a Goldmine in the Sky, Pokarekare Ana, Hare Ra E Hine and Marie followed in quick succession.
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The rellies moved on, replaced by on-again-off-again vocalist Wi Wharekura and Noel Kingi, who was straight out of school