Sir Howard Morrison dies

Sir Howard Morrison died

Entertainer Sir Howard Morrison died this morning, aged 74.

Sir Howard's family confirmed the singer's death to the Herald.

A family member said Sir Howard had become ill while visiting Rarotonga last week.

His condition had not improved since his return a few days ago.

The Herald understands that his son and daughter had taken a group to the Cook Islands on an educational tour.

NewstalkZB said the family was distraught at news of Sir Howard's death.

No details of his tangi have been announced.

Sir Howard will be remembered for his rich crooning voice.

Click here for great Sir Howard Morrison video moments

Showbiz family

Of mixed Te Arawa and Irish ancestry, he was born in 1935 into a Rotorua family renowned for its entertainment skills.

His mother was Kahu Morrison (nee Gertrude Harete Davidson), who 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.

Sir Howard grew up in Rotorua and in Ruatahuna - near Waikaremoana - where his father Temuera Morrison, a Maori All Black, was working for the Maori Affairs Department.

Sir Howard attended a "native school" in the Urewera before going on to Te Aute College in Hastings and Rotorua Boys High School.

He left without School Certificate and worked as a storeman in the Hawkes Bay and at the Whakatu freezing works. They were the first among several jobs including survey chainman and electricity meter reader.

Sir Howard married Rangiwhata Ann Manahi in 1957. They had two sons and a daughter.

Clive Trio to Howard Morrison Quartet

With the Clive Trio from 1954 - teaming up with Isobel and Virginia Whatarau, who were known as the Clive Sisters - he performed spirituals, Latin American and Neapolitan numbers, and Mario Lanza-style show songs.

But it was with another group formed with Noel King, Wi Wharekura and Gerry Merito, who died earlier this year, that Morrison enjoyed his first storming success.

In 1958 the Howard Morrison Quartet's debut record Battle of Waikato/My Old Man's an All Black sold a massive 78,000 copies.

The part-time quartet became full-time professional entertainers two years later and made an early live television performance in 1961.

A royal command performance, national tours, Australian tours all followed before the quartet disbanded in 1964 and Morrison began making his way as a solo entertainer.


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Oh that's so sad it was only a few weeks ago I was watching his birthday celebrations on Good Morning (I thought it was his 80th but must have got the wrong end of the stick seeing he was only 74 when he died!)