Profession: Singer-Songwriter
Biography: Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician, widely recognized as an iconic figure in rock and folk music, particularly for his solo career. He first gained international fame as the lead singer of the rock band Them, with hits like "Gloria" (1964) and "Here Comes the Night" (1965).
One of his most famous albums, Astral Weeks (1968), is often cited as one of the greatest albums in the history of rock music. His 1970 hit single "Moondance" brought him enduring fame, and he continued to produce critically acclaimed albums and singles, including songs like "Brown Eyed Girl" (1967) "Into the Mystic" (1970) and "Tupelo Honey" (1971).
Van Morrison has won numerous awards throughout his career, including six Grammy Awards and a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and, in 2016, he was knighted for his services to music and tourism in Northern Ireland.
Morrison's musical talent is widely respected and he has collaborated with many other famous musicians, including Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, BB King, Eric Clapton, and Michael Bublé.
Born: August 31, 1945
Birthplace: Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Age: 78 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Virgo
Historical Events
- 1976-11-25 The Band's farewell concert at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom, San Francisco, California; guest performers include Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and the Staples Singers; concert film "The Last Waltz" directed by Martin Scorcese
- 1982-06-18 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Van Morrison and Jackson Browne headline; other performers include: Osibisa, Judie Tzuke, Richie Havens, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Thompson Twins, Climax Blues Band, Talisman, and Incubus
- 1987-06-19 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Elvis Costello, and Van Morrison headline; other performers include: New Order, The Robert Cray Band, Los Lobos, Ben E. King, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, Courtney Pine, Hüsker Dü, The Woodentops, The Mighty Lemon Drops, Michelle Shocked, and World Party
- 1989-06-16 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, and Suzanne Vega headline; other performers include: Bhundu Boys, Fairground Attraction, Hothouse Flowers, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, Yossou N'Dour, Pixies, The Proclaimers, Throwing Muses, The Waterboys, Lucinda Williams, Womack & Womack, and Flaco Jiménez
- 1990-07-21 Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is performed where the Berlin Wall once stood; charity concert led by Roger Waters, with guests Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, The Scorpions,; Sinéad O'Connor, Bryan Adams, The Band, Van Morrison, The Hooters, and others
- 1993-01-12 8th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Ruth Brown; Cream; Creedence Clearwater Revival; The Doors; Etta James; Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers; Van Morrison; Sly and the Family Stone; Dinah Washington; Dick Clark; and Milt Gabler
- 1993-06-25 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: The Black Crowes, and The Kinks headline; other performers include Winton Marsalis, Robert Plant, Velvet Underground, Hothouse Flowers, Van Morrison, John Prine, Rolf Harris, Lenny Kravitz, and Barenaked Ladies
- 1997-06-27 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: The Prodigy, and Radiohead headline; other performers include Smashing Pumpkins, Ray Davies, Van Morrison, Sting, Beck, Phish, and Nanci Griffith
- 2005-06-24 Glastonbury Festival in Pilton, England opens: The White Stripes, and Coldplay headline; other performers include The Kaiser Chiefs, Taj Mahal, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, and Primal Scream
- 2016-02-04 Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison knighted by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace
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