5 years on: Tribute to Sir Howard revealed

By Mike Watson

Rotorua Daily Post·

8 Aug, 2014 11:00 PM2 mins to read

Sir Howard Morrison.

It is being billed as a night to remember a revered Rotorua knight.

Sir Howard Morrison's legacy will be celebrated next month on the fifth anniversary of his death in a two-hour show - A Knight to Remember - featuring guest artists closely linked to his long career.

Sir Howard's son, Howard Morrison junior, has spent the last three months co-ordinating the appearance of many well known performers at the Rotorua Convention Centre on September 24.

CELEBRATION: Howard Morrison junior will help mark the fifth anniversary of his father's death next month. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

"It will follow the early days of his career when he started with his first professional group, The Trio, as an 18-year-old through to his quartet, cabaret and solo days," said Mr Morrison.

Well known singers who accompanied Sir Howard through his long career will give guest performances.

"We have Eddie Low, Toni Morrison, Ray Woolf, Gray Bartlett, Dame Malvina Major and Annie Crummer."

Each artist would represent a different time frame of Sir Howard's musical career, he said.

Howard Morrison junior will perform with Russell Harris and Chris Powley in the Howard Morrison Trio.

A special performance will be given by one of Sir Howard's grandchildren Kahurangi Morrison, and Rewa Ututonga, to highlight his involvement nurturing talented youth.

Also appearing will be Tai Eru, Terry Morrison, George Bennett and Rim De Paul - "the koro-tet", said Mr Morrison.

Carl Doy and his 10-piece orchestra will also be on stage.

"Each artist will be introduced with a short 20 to 30-second video featuring a personal memory of working with Sir Howard," Mr Morrison said.

"It's definitely going to be a fun night, not a morbid one.

"It could be the last time we have the opportunity to get everyone who sang with him up on the stage at one time."

There are limited ticket sales at $65 each, which will go on sale through Ticketmaster in the coming week. Doors open at 5.30pm, with the concert scheduled from 6.30pm to 9.45pm.