Van Morrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Van Morrison OBE
Morrison in 2015
Background information
Birth name	George Ivan Morrison
Also known as	Van the Man The Belfast Cowboy
Born	(1945-08-31) 31 August 1945 (age 79) Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genres	Blue-eyed soul Celtic rock R&B folk blues jazz country gospel Christian
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar harmonica saxophone
Years active	1958–present
Labels	Decca Parrot Bang Warner Bros. London Mercury Exile Polydor Verve Point Blank Virgin Universal Blue Note Lost Highway Listen to the Lion EMI Manhattan RCA BMG Sony Legacy

Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison (born 31 August 1945) is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician from Northern Ireland. His music career began in the 1960s. Van Morrison's albums have been very popular in the UK and Ireland, with over 40 reaching the top 40 in the UK. He has also had success in other countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

He has achieved top ten albums in the UK for four decades in a row! Many of his albums have also made it into the top 40 in the United States. Since he turned 70 in 2015, he has released more than one album each year. Van Morrison has won many awards, including two Grammy Awards. He also received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1994. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2016, he was made a knight for his amazing contributions to music and tourism in Northern Ireland.

Morrison started performing when he was a teenager in the late 1950s. He played many instruments like guitar, harmonica, keyboards, and saxophone for different bands. Fans call him "Van the Man." He became well-known in the mid-1960s as the lead singer of the Belfast R&B band Them. With Them, he wrote and recorded "Gloria," which became a classic song. His solo career began in 1967 with the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl."

After his first producer passed away, Warner Bros. Records signed Morrison. This led to him recording Astral Weeks (1968). Even though it didn't sell well at first, this album is now seen as a masterpiece. His album Moondance (1970) made him a major artist. He continued to build his reputation through the 1970s with many popular albums and live shows.

Much of Van Morrison's music is based on soul music and early rhythm and blues. He also has many long, spiritual songs that show influences from Celtic traditions and jazz. These two styles together are sometimes called "Celtic soul."

Van Morrison's Musical Journey

Early Life and Musical Beginnings: 1945–1964

George Ivan Morrison was born on August 31, 1945, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was the only child of George Morrison, a shipyard electrician, and Violet Stitt Morrison, who used to be a singer and tap dancer. From 1950 to 1956, Morrison, who became known as "Van," went to Elmgrove Primary School.

His father had one of the largest record collections in Northern Ireland. Young Morrison grew up listening to artists like Ray Charles and Muddy Waters. He later said, "If it weren't for guys like Ray and Solomon, I wouldn't be where I am today." His father's collection introduced him to blues, gospel, jazz, folk, and country music. The first record he ever bought was by blues musician Sonny Terry.

When he was 11, his father bought him his first acoustic guitar. In 1957, at age twelve, Morrison formed his first band, a skiffle group called "The Sputniks." In 1958, the band played at local cinemas, with Morrison doing most of the singing. Other groups followed, like Midnight Special. When he heard Jimmy Giuffre playing saxophone, he convinced his father to buy him a tenor saxophone. He took lessons from jazz musician George Cassidy.

Morrison joined various local bands, including Deanie Sands and the Javelins. He played guitar and sang with them. Later, four musicians from the Javelins, plus a pianist, became the Monarchs. Morrison left Orangefield Boys Secondary School in 1960 without qualifications. He worked as a window cleaner, a job he later mentioned in his songs "Cleaning Windows" and "Saint Dominic's Preview." He continued playing with the Monarchs part-time.

At 17, Morrison toured Europe with the Monarchs, now called the International Monarchs. This band played in clubs and US Army bases in Scotland, England, and Germany. They often played five shows a night. In Germany, the band recorded a single, "Boozoo Hully Gully"/"Twingy Baby." This was Morrison's first recording, and it made it onto the German charts.

When the group returned to Belfast in 1963, they broke up. Morrison then played with the Manhattan Showband. He later joined a group called Brian Rossi and the Golden Eagles, where he was hired as a blues singer.

Them: 1964–1966

The band Them, which helped Morrison become known internationally, started in April 1964. Morrison joined other musicians to play at a new R&B club in Belfast. He formed a new band from an existing group called the Gamblers. They decided to call themselves Them, inspired by the horror movie Them!

The band's R&B performances were very energetic. Them played without a set plan, and Morrison often made up songs on the spot. They played covers and some of Morrison's early songs, like "Gloria." This song could sometimes last up to twenty minutes. Morrison felt the band's records didn't capture the excitement of their live shows.

Decca Records signed Them to a two-year contract. They released two albums and ten singles. They had three chart hits: "Baby, Please Don't Go" (1964), "Here Comes the Night" (1965), and "Mystic Eyes" (1965). But it was "Gloria," the B-side of "Baby, Please Don't Go," that became a rock classic. Many artists like Patti Smith and the Doors later covered it.

Them toured America in 1966, playing at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. The Doors were the opening act for the last week. Jim Morrison, the Doors' singer, learned a lot from Van Morrison's stage presence. On the final night, both Morrisons and their bands jammed together on "Gloria."

Towards the end of the tour, the band had problems with their manager over money. This, along with their work visas expiring, led the band to split up. Morrison then focused on writing songs for his future album Astral Weeks.

Solo Career Begins with "Brown Eyed Girl": 1967

Bert Berns, Them's producer, convinced Morrison to record solo for his new label, Bang Records. Morrison signed a contract he hadn't fully read. In March 1967, he recorded eight songs. These were released as the album Blowin' Your Mind! without Morrison's approval. He was unhappy with the album, saying he "had a different concept of it."

One song from the album, "Brown Eyed Girl," was released as a single in June 1967. It reached number ten on the US charts. "Brown Eyed Girl" became Morrison's most-played song and is considered his signature song. In 2007, "Brown Eyed Girl" was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

After Berns died in 1967, Morrison had a contract dispute that stopped him from performing or recording in New York. He moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and faced financial problems. He started recording with Warner Bros. Records. Warner Bros bought out Morrison's contract. As part of the deal, Morrison had to submit 36 original songs. He recorded them quickly, with funny lyrics about things like ringworm and sandwiches. These songs were not used at the time and became known as the "revenge" songs.

Key Albums and Musical Evolution

The Magic of Astral Weeks: 1968

Morrison's first album for Warner Bros Records was Astral Weeks. This album is a collection of mystical songs and is often considered his best work. It's also seen as one of the greatest albums of all time. When it first came out in 1968, it didn't sell well. But over time, it gained huge praise from critics. It has been described as hypnotic and having a unique musical power.

Rolling Stone magazine called it "music of such enigmatic beauty." It has appeared on many lists of the best albums ever. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it number nineteen on their list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

From Moondance to Into the Music: 1970–1979

Morrison's third solo album, Moondance, released in 1970, was his first to sell a million copies. It reached number twenty-nine on the Billboard charts. Moondance had a more positive and cheerful feel compared to Astral Weeks. It featured more structured songs and a lively R&B style.

The song "Into the Mystic" also became very popular. Moondance was praised by critics. Rolling Stone magazine called Morrison's imagination "visionary." Morrison produced the album himself because he felt no one else understood his vision. Moondance was listed at number sixty-five on Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Over the next few years, he released several more albums. His Band and the Street Choir (1970) had a relaxed sound and included the hit single "Domino," which reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 1971, he released Tupelo Honey. This album featured the hit single "Wild Night," which was later covered by John Mellencamp. The title song had a country-soul feel. Morrison said he originally wanted to make an all-country album.

Saint Dominic's Preview, released in 1972, showed Morrison moving back to a more adventurous style, similar to Astral Weeks. This album combined different music styles. Two songs, "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" and "Redwood Tree," made it onto the Hot 100 singles chart.

His next album, Hard Nose the Highway (1973), received mixed reviews. It contained the popular song "Warm Love."

During a trip to Ireland in 1973, Morrison wrote seven songs for his next album, Veedon Fleece. This album is now considered one of his most impressive and poetic works.

Morrison took a three-year break after Veedon Fleece. He felt he needed to get away from music completely. He even thought about leaving the music business for good. His next album was A Period of Transition in 1977, a collaboration with Dr. John.

The following year, Morrison released Wavelength. It became his fastest-selling album at the time and quickly went gold. The title track was a modest hit. The album used 1970s synthesizers to sound like the shortwave radio stations he listened to as a child.

Into the Music, released in 1979, was considered a classic album from his later period. Songs on this album talked about the healing power of music, which became an important theme for Morrison. "Bright Side of the Road" was a joyful song featured in the movie Michael.

Exploring New Sounds: 1980–1989

In 1980, Morrison recorded Common One in the French Alps. This album was controversial because it was very different. It had six long songs, with "Summertime in England" lasting over fifteen minutes. Critics had mixed feelings, but Morrison said it was "never meant to be a commercial album."

Morrison's next album, Beautiful Vision (1982), returned to his Northern Irish roots. It was well-received and included the song "Cleaning Windows," which referred to his old job. The instrumental song "Scandinavia" was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Much of Morrison's music in the 1980s focused on spirituality and faith. His 1983 album, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, was made for meditation, with instrumental tracks. Morrison believed that the feeling behind words was more important than the words themselves.

A Sense of Wonder, released in 1985, brought together the spiritual themes from his previous albums. In 1985, Morrison also wrote music for the movie Lamb.

His 1986 album, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher, was praised for its "genuine holiness." It included the song "In the Garden," which Morrison said was based on a meditation process. He named the album to push back against media trying to label his beliefs.

After "No Guru," Morrison's music became more like adult contemporary music. His 1987 album, Poetic Champions Compose, was a highlight of the 1980s. The romantic song "Someone Like You" was later used in several movies, including French Kiss and Bridget Jones's Diary.

In 1988, he released Irish Heartbeat, a collection of traditional Irish folk songs recorded with the Chieftains. It reached number 18 on the UK album charts.

The 1989 album, Avalon Sunset, featured a duet with Cliff Richard called "Whenever God Shines His Light." This song reached number 13 on the UK album chart. The album also included the ballad "Have I Told You Lately." It is considered a deeply spiritual album.

Success and Tributes: 1990–1999

The early to mid-1990s were very successful for Morrison. Three of his albums reached the top five in the UK charts, and his concerts sold out. The decade started with The Best of Van Morrison, a collection of his hit singles. This album was a huge success, staying on the UK charts for a year and a half.

In 1994, the live album A Night in San Francisco was released. It was well-received and reached number eight on the UK charts. Days Like This (1995) also sold very well. During this time, he also released albums that paid tribute to his early musical influences, like How Long Has This Been Going On (1996) and The Skiffle Sessions – Live in Belfast 1998 (2000).

In 1997, Morrison released The Healing Game. His next album, The Philosopher's Stone (1998), featured previously unreleased studio recordings. His 1999 album, Back on Top, was his highest-charting album in the US since 1978.

New Millennium, New Music: 2000–2009

Van Morrison continued to record and perform frequently in the 2000s. He started his own record label, Exile Productions Ltd. This allowed him to control how his albums were made.

The album Down the Road, released in 2002, was well-received. It had a nostalgic feel, with songs covering different music styles like R&B, blues, country, and folk. One song was a tribute to his late father, George.

Morrison's 2005 album, Magic Time, debuted at number twenty-five on the US Billboard 200 charts. Rolling Stone listed it as one of the top 50 records of 2005. In 2005, Morrison also donated a song called "Blue and Green" to a charity album for hurricane relief.

He released a country music album called Pay the Devil in 2006. It debuted at number twenty-six on the Billboard 200 and reached number seven on the Top Country Albums chart. In 2006, Morrison also released his first commercial DVD, Live at Montreux 1980/1974, featuring concerts from the Montreux Jazz Festival.

A new double CD collection, The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3, was released in 2007. It contained thirty-one tracks, some of which were new. In 2007, Morrison's albums from 1971 to 2002 became available on iTunes.

Still on Top – The Greatest Hits, another double CD collection, was released in October 2007. It reached number two on the UK album charts, his highest UK charting.

Keep It Simple, Morrison's 33rd studio album, was released in 2008. It featured eleven new songs written by him. Morrison promoted the album with a tour. Keep It Simple debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200 chart, his first Top Ten album in the US.

Later Works and Continued Success: 2010–Present

Morrison released two albums in the first half of the 2010s. Then, his productivity increased, and he released six more albums in just five years after turning 70. Born to Sing: No Plan B was released in 2012. It was recorded in Belfast, his hometown. A book of Morrison's lyrics, Lit Up Inside, was published in 2014.

In 2015, Morrison sold the rights to most of his music to Legacy Recordings. This made 33 of his albums available digitally for the first time. His first album with Sony was Duets: Re-working the Catalogue (2015), which featured collaborations with other artists.

Morrison's 70th birthday in 2015 was celebrated in Belfast. He performed two concerts on Cyprus Avenue, a street mentioned in one of his songs. The following year, he released Keep Me Singing, his 36th studio album.

In 2017, Morrison released Roll with the Punches. He quickly followed up with his 38th album, Versatile, in December 2017. It included covers of jazz songs and original tracks. In 2018, he released You're Driving Me Crazy, featuring collaborations with Joey DeFrancesco.

In October 2018, Morrison announced his 40th studio album, The Prophet Speaks. A year later, in November 2019, he released Three Chords & the Truth. In 2020, Faber and Faber published Keep 'Er Lit, a second book of his selected lyrics. In November 2020, Morrison and Eric Clapton worked together on a song called "Stand and Deliver."

In March 2021, Morrison announced his 42nd album, Latest Record Project, Volume 1. This album helped him achieve a UK Top Ten album in a fourth consecutive decade. In 2022, What's It Gonna Take? was released. In 2023, he returned to his musical roots with Moving on Skiffle and Accentuate the Positive.

Van Morrison's songs were used a lot in Kenneth Branagh's Oscar-winning 2021 film Belfast. Morrison received his first nomination for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Down to Joy" from the film.

Live Performances and Stage Presence

Concert Experiences: 1970s

By 1972, after performing for almost ten years, Morrison started feeling nervous when playing for thousands of people. He became anxious on stage and found it hard to look at the audience. He once said, "I dig singing the songs but there are times when it's pretty agonising for me to be out there." After a short break, he started playing in smaller clubs, which helped him regain his comfort on stage.

The 1974 live double album It's Too Late to Stop Now is considered one of the greatest live concert recordings. Morrison was in a fantastic phase as a performer during this time. The album was made from recordings during a 1973 tour of the US and Europe.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1976, Morrison performed at the farewell concert for the Band. It was his first live performance in several years. He almost didn't go on stage, but his manager encouraged him. Morrison was friends with the members of the Band. At the concert, he sang two songs: the Irish classic "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral" and "Caravan" from his Moondance album. The concert was filmed for Martin Scorsese's 1978 movie, The Last Waltz.

During his time with the Band, Morrison earned the nicknames "Belfast Cowboy" and "Van the Man."

Memorable Shows: 1990s

On July 21, 1990, Morrison joined many other artists for Roger Waters' huge performance of The Wall – Live in Berlin. He sang "Comfortably Numb" with Roger Waters and members of The Band. The audience was estimated to be between three hundred thousand and half a million people.

Morrison performed for a large crowd when US President Bill Clinton visited Belfast in 1995. His song "Days Like This" had become a symbol for the peace movement in Northern Ireland.

Concerts and Live Albums: 2000s to Present

Van Morrison continued to perform concerts regularly. He often played few of his most famous songs, showing he wasn't just a "nostalgia act."

In November 2008, Morrison performed the entire Astral Weeks album live for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The guitarist, Jay Berliner, who played on the original album 40 years earlier, joined him. A live album, Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl, was released from these performances.

In 2009, Morrison continued his Astral Weeks Live concerts in the US and London. He also appeared on TV shows. He filmed concerts at the Orpheum Theatre so his friend Farrah Fawcett, who was ill, could watch them.

Besides It's Too Late to Stop Now and Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Morrison has released other live albums. These include Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast (1984), A Night in San Francisco (1994), and The Skiffle Sessions – Live in Belfast 1998 (2000).

Morrison performed at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in Canada in 2010. He also played at the Feis 2011 Festival in London and the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2012.

In 2014, Morrison performed three concerts at his former high school, Orangefield Boys' Secondary School, before it closed. In 2015, he performed at Blenheim Palace in the UK. In 2021, he played one of the first large-scale concerts in London after the pandemic lockdowns, which was praised as a great argument for the return of live music.

Musical Collaborations

Van Morrison has worked with many artists throughout his career. He has collaborated with soul and blues legends like John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, and BB King. He has also worked with The Chieftains, Michael Bublé, and Mark Knopfler.

Collaborations in the 1980s

Morrison and the Irish folk band The Chieftains recorded the album Irish Heartbeat (1988), which featured Irish folk songs and reached the UK Top 20. His song "Whenever God Shines His Light" from Avalon Sunset (1989) was a duet with Cliff Richard. It was a hit in the UK and Ireland.

Collaborations in the 1990s

The 1990s saw more collaborations for Van Morrison. He worked closely with Georgie Fame and Brian Kennedy. He reunited with The Chieftains on their 1995 album, The Long Black Veil. Their new version of Morrison's song "Have I Told You Lately" won a Grammy Award.

He produced and performed on several tracks with blues legend John Lee Hooker for Hooker's 1997 album, Don't Look Back. This album won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. The title track, a duet with Morrison, won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Morrison also worked with Tom Jones on his 1999 album Reload, singing on Morrison's song "Sometimes We Cry."

Collaborations from 2000s to Present

Morrison sang on "The Last Laugh" for Mark Knopfler's album Sailing to Philadelphia (2000). That same year, he recorded a country music duet album, You Win Again, with Linda Gail Lewis. In 2004, Morrison was a guest on Ray Charles' album Genius Loves Company, where they performed Morrison's "Crazy Love."

In 2015, he recorded an album of collaborations called Duets: Re-working the Catalogue. It featured artists like Steve Winwood, Taj Mahal, and his daughter Shana Morrison. Morrison also formed a partnership with Joey DeFrancesco, and they worked together on several albums.

Van Morrison's Unique Artistry

His Voice

Van Morrison's voice is known for its unique growl, blending influences from folk, blues, soul, jazz, gospel, and Celtic music. Many music historians believe he is one of the most unusual and important singers in rock and roll history. Critic Greil Marcus said, "no white man sings like Van Morrison."

When Morrison started performing Astral Weeks live in 2008, people compared his voice to his younger self. His early voice was described as "flinty and tender." Forty years later, his voice was deeper and more powerful. Morrison explained that he now sings from his diaphragm to protect his vocal cords.

Songwriting and Lyrics

Morrison has written hundreds of songs. Some of his song titles come from places in his childhood, like "Cyprus Avenue" and "On Hyndford Street" (where he was born).

Starting with his 1979 album, Into the Music, and the song "And the Healing Has Begun," a common theme in his music has been his belief in the healing power of music combined with a kind of spiritual Christianity. This theme has become a key part of his work.

His lyrics show influences from famous poets like William Blake and W. B. Yeats. Morrison has described his songwriting method as something that "just comes and I sculpt it."

Performance Style

Critics say it's hard to compare Morrison's work to others because it's so unique. He crosses many musical styles, including R&B, Celtic melodies, jazz, and blues. Yet, he always sounds like himself, "on his own wavelength."

His spiritual music style first fully appeared with Astral Weeks in 1968. His live performances are very spontaneous. He controls his band with hand gestures, sometimes signaling for solos. The music and vocals build towards a hypnotic state, relying on creativity in the moment.

Morrison believes in the jazz improvisational technique of never performing a song the same way twice. He prefers to play in smaller venues or symphony halls with good sound. He has also tried to prevent people from leaving their seats during shows by banning alcoholic beverages.

Musical Genres

Van Morrison's music has covered many genres. From his early days as a blues and R&B singer, he has recorded songs influenced by pop, jazz, rock, folk, country, gospel, Irish folk, big band, skiffle, and rock and roll. Morrison describes himself as a soul singer.

His music has been called "Celtic soul" or "Caledonian soul." Morrison believes there's a connection between soul music and Caledonia (an ancient name for Scotland/northern Britain). He has used the name "Caledonia" many times in his life and career, including for his production company and in songs like "Listen to the Lion."

Influence on Other Artists

Morrison has had a big influence on many famous artists. Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello have been inspired by his writing and powerful vocals. Artists like U2's Bono, John Mellencamp, Jim Morrison, Nick Cave, Rod Stewart, Tom Petty, and Elton John have all been influenced by him. Jimi Hendrix even covered "Gloria."

Morrison often supports other artists, sharing the stage with them. On his live album A Night in San Francisco, he featured his childhood idols: Jimmy Witherspoon, John Lee Hooker, and Junior Wells. He has also helped promote the careers of musicians like James Hunter and Brian Kennedy.

Influence on the Next Generation

Morrison's influence extends to younger singer-songwriters. Artists like Damien Rice, Ray Lamontagne, James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, David Gray, and Ed Sheeran have all been influenced by him. Glen Hansard of the Frames often covers Morrison's songs in concert. Actor and musician Robert Pattinson said Van Morrison was his main influence for getting into music.

Awards and Legacy

Halls of Fame

Morrison has received many major music awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. He was the first living person to be inducted without attending the ceremony himself. In 1999, he became the first musician inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame. His third induction was into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, for being one of the most important songwriters of the past century. Ray Charles presented this award.

Three of Morrison's songs are in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll: "Brown Eyed Girl", "Madame George", and "Moondance". In 2015, the Songwriter's Hall of Fame gave Morrison the Johnny Mercer Award.

Civil Awards and Honors

Morrison received two civil awards in 1996. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. He also received an award from the French government, making him an Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He has two honorary degrees in music from the University of Ulster and Queen's University in Belfast.

In 2013, Morrison was given the Freedom of Belfast, the highest honor his hometown can give. In 2014, a "Van Morrison Trail" was created in East Belfast. This self-guided trail leads to eight places important to Morrison and his music.

Morrison was made a Knight Bachelor in 2015 for his contributions to music and tourism in Northern Ireland. The ceremony was performed by Prince Charles.

Industry Recognition

Other awards include an Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1995. In 2004, he received the BMI ICON award for his lasting influence on musicians. In 2007, he received an Oscar Wilde: Honouring Irish Writing in Film award for his music in over fifty films. Al Pacino presented the award and compared Morrison to Oscar Wilde.

In 2010, Morrison received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2014, he was given the Legend award at the GQ Men of the Year ceremony. In 2014, he also received his fifth BMI Million-Air Award for "Brown Eyed Girl," which had been played 11 million times on US radio and television. In 2017, the Americana Music Association gave Van Morrison the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting.

In 2019, a charity concert called "The Music of Van Morrison" was held at Carnegie Hall, with twenty artists performing his songs. In 2019, Morrison received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. In 2022, Morrison and his song "Down to Joy" were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the movie Belfast.

Lists and Tributes

Morrison has appeared on many "Greatest" lists. TIME magazine included Astral Weeks and Moondance on their list of The All-Time 100 Albums. In 2000, VH1 ranked him twenty-fifth on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll." In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Van Morrison forty-second on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Paste ranked him twentieth on their list of "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" in 2006. Q ranked him twenty-second on their list of "100 Greatest Singers" in 2007.

There have also been several tribute albums dedicated to Van Morrison's songs:

• No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van Morrison (1994)
• The Van Morrison Songbook (1997)
• Into the Mystic: An Instrumental Tribute to Van Morrison (2000)
• Vanthology: A Tribute to Van Morrison (2003)
• The String Quartet Tribute to Van Morrison (2003)
• Smooth Sax Tribute to Van Morrison (2005)
• Mystic Piano: Piano Tribute to Van Morrison (2006)

Van Morrison's Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Morrison lived in Belfast until 1964, when he moved to London with the band Them. Three years later, he moved to New York. To avoid deportation, he married his American girlfriend, Janet (Planet) Rigsbee. They had a daughter in 1970, Shana Morrison, who also became a singer-songwriter. Morrison and his family lived in different places in America, including Boston and Woodstock, New York. His wife appeared on the cover of his album Tupelo Honey. They divorced in 1973.

Morrison moved back to the UK in the late 1970s. He later bought a studio in Bath. He also has a home in the Irish village of Dalkey.

Morrison met Irish socialite Michelle Rocca in 1992. She also appeared on one of his album covers, Days Like This. They married and had two children. They divorced in 2018. Morrison's father passed away in 1988, and his mother, Violet, passed away in 2016.

Spirituality

Morrison and his family have connections to St Donard's Parish Church in Belfast. His parents were open-minded, with his father being an atheist and his mother connected to Jehovah's Witnesses at one point. Van Morrison was briefly linked to Scientology. Later, he became cautious about organized religion. He believes it's important to tell the difference between spirituality and religion. He sees spirituality as a personal journey, different from organized churches.

Discography

See also

In Spanish: Van Morrison para niños

• List of people on the postage stamps of Ireland