Stars line up for Sir Howard tribute

LEGACY LIVES ON: Sir Howard Morrison's musical career will be remembered in A Knight to Remember show. PHOTO/FILE

Preparations are well under way for a musical journey of Sir Howard Morrison's memorable career.

A Knight to Remember will celebrate Sir Howard's life and legacy in a two-hour show which will feature some of the country's legendary musicians.

His son, Howard Morrison junior, said the idea of the event came from the realisation that it was five years since his passing. The event will be held at the Rotorua Convention Centre on September 24.

"We were having a Christmas-New Year dinner up at home and were reminiscing about dad, and my sister said, 'Do you realise it will be five years this year? It was a bit of shock," he said.

Taking part in the evening included Dame Malvina Major, Carl Doy, Annie Crummer, Tina Cross, Gray Bartlett, Tony Williams, Ray Woolf, Brendan Dugan, Eddie Low, Kahurangi Maxwell and Rewa Ututaonga.

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

The MCs will be Max Cryer, Rev Tom Poata and Labour candidate Tamati Coffey.

"Unlike the tribute concert dad had in 2009 a lot of these acts weren't part of his singing career," Mr Morrison said.

"But one phone call and they didn't hesitate to come on board.

"What we've done is affiliated [the performers] to his career throughout the various decades. The comperes will be starting right back when he was born in Rotorua, his time in Ruatahuna and when his singing career started.

"We'll be moving into Ray Woolf who was breaking into the cabaret scene when dad was, then into Rewa, Tina and Annie who Dad had a lot to do with in the early 80s, Dame Malvina with their time in the early millennium and then us continuing his legacy with the The Howie Morrison Trio."

Video archive footage of Sir Howard and personal tributes from the artists will also be played in between the acts.

"There's not many shows or artists in the country now who cater for 50s to 70s and beyond age group. Touring with the trio, I've had a 90-year-old coming up to me with a ticket from 1956 saying, 'Can you sign this sonny?' Some of them with tears in their eyes," Mr Morrison said.

"Their grandchildren are taking them to watch us and they are thoroughly enjoying it. Back in the old days, entertainment was booming in this country and now it's more synchronised and young people imitating the African American culture.

"Humour was a big part of Dad's makeup, laugh a day keeps a doctor away, and at the same time he was serious and professional too. I think it is such an honour to be able to sing his music to people today."

Tickets for a A Knight to Remember can be pre-purchased for $65 through Ticketmaster either at the Rotorua Convention Centre or by phoning (07) 928 4500. It will be held on Wednesday, September 24 from 6.30pm.