Packed house for Sir Howard tribute concert (+video and pics)

The Koro-tet George Bennett, Tai Eru, Terry Morrison and Rim D Paul perform at last night's concert. PHOTO BEN FRASER

Image 1 of 17: 240914bf2 "The Koro-tet" made up of (from left) George Bennett, Tai Eru, Terry Morrison, and Rim D Paul peform at A Knight to Remember - a tribute to Sir Howard Morrison Photo/Ben Fraser

Sir Howard Morrison is still packing out theatres, as proven by hundreds of dedicated Rotorua fans turning out for a concert in his honour.

The Rotorua Convention Centre was full last night for A Knight to Remember, the tribute concert celebrating Sir Howard Morrison's life and legacy.

The performers and audience alike were in good spirits throughout the night and each performance was met with whistling, cheering and clapping from the crowd.

Annie Crummer

The two-hour show featured music greats such as Dame Malvina Major, Carl Doy, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross, Gray Bartlett, Tony Williams, Ray Woolf, Brendan Dugan, Eddie Low, Kahurangi Maxwell and Rewa Ututaonga.

Long-time performers Tai Eru, Terry Morrison, George Bennett and Rim D Paul - "the koro-tet" - and Sir Howard Morrison's sister Rene Mitchell also had the audience cheering.

Eru said it was great to celebrate Sir Howard Morrison as he was "the best entertainer in New Zealand musical history".

"He was born in Rotorua but he was truly a New Zealand icon who deserves to be recognised."

Eru said Sir Howard was a "wonderful performer" who "has left a great legacy for the younger generation".

Sir Howard Morrison's son, Howard Morrison jnr and close friend Chris Powley spent the last three months co-ordinating the appearance of the performers.

Chris Powley's mother, Jill Powley, said Sir Howard had been "Chris' idol".

"He loved Howard and was mentored by him so tonight will be huge for Chris."

Ms Powley and friend Naomi Hoete said they had visited Sir Howard's grave before the concert.

"We wanted to say thank you for everything he had done. He was a New Zealand treasure and it is so humbling to see all these people who came out to pay tribute to his exceptional life and career."