Hailing from Northern Ireland, Van Morrison, born George Ivan Morrison in late August of 1945, is an acclaimed singer-songwriter with a reputation for incredible live performances and an R & B-infused style…
The Early Years…
Born in Bloomfield, Belfast, Morrison was the son of an electrician who also boasted one of the most comprehensive record collections in his town. His mother was a singer/tap dancer named Violet.
During his early childhood, he began to be called “Van”, and he spent a lot of his free time listening to classic soul and blues albums: these inspired him to get his first acoustic guitar at the tender age of 11.
By the age of 12, Van Morrison had started his first band, Sputnik – the first of many groups he fronted. He also learned to play the saxophone and sat in with other local musicians at all-ages jams in Bloomfield.
Unwilling to settle for the working-class existence he was expected to embrace, he left high school with no qualifications whatsoever and grudgingly took a job cleaning windows in order to finance his lifestyle and music – his struggles during his late teens inspired several of his later compositions.
Early Adulthood…
By the age of 17, he went on tour in Europe with a new band, The International Monarchs, that performed at army bases and clubs all over Germany and the UK. With this band, he recorded a single (as Georgie and The Monarchs) that made it onto the lower echelons of the German charts.
In the early 60’s, Morrison formed the band Them – the group’s name was borrowed from a German horror flick of that time period. During this phase of his career, Morrison began to develop the signature style that would soon rocket him into international prominence.
He was a spontaneous, energetic live performer who enjoyed making things up as he went along. This creative approach led to some dazzling shows – he would write songs as he sang and played them. He also played the harmonica and took turns sharing vocals with another of the band’s members.
Them were signed to Decca Records, and they began to record singles that made their way onto the charts. One of their b-sides, Gloria, became one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most beloved songs.
Throughout the years, Gloria has been covered by other illustrious artists, such as U2(Rattle and Hum), The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix. In fact, according to Doors member John Densmore, Van Morrison inspired Jim Morrison’s unique stage presence. Jim enjoyed Van’s earthy spontaneity and he soon added elements of this style to his own live performances.
Morrison Goes Solo…
After Them disbanded in 1965, Morrison began a solo recording career that would place him among the greats of all time. Morrison later expressed distaste for his first solo album, Blowin’ Your Mind, but it contained a true gem – the classic Brown-Eyed Girl…this song climbed to number 10 on the American charts, and it remains a true perennial at radio stations all over the world. Even decades later, it retains its laid-back, summery charm and timeless, romantic feel…
Problems with record companies, royalties, and contracts plagued Morrison during the late Sixties. His difficulties during this period included a grueling contract clause that forced him to deliver 31 songs per year to a music publishing company owned by a former producer’s widow.
In true Van Morrison fashion, he rebelled by sending in “nonsense” songs that were deemed unusable. He started working with Warner Bros., and it was during this time period that he recorded one of his most critically-acclaimed albums – Astral Weeks.
The “enigmatic beauty” of this recording was lauded by Rolling Stone Magazine. Van Morrison’s wistful reverence for his lost childhood was one recurrent theme in his work. Celtic influences were also present in his lyrics and music. A sense of nostalgia came through clearly in this important recording, and it continues to inspire fellow musicians and listeners.
Through the Seventies and Eighties, Van Morrison continued to record successful albums and tour throughout the world. However, by 1972, he suffered from occasional stage fright that made it hard for him to connect with live audiences. As of this writing, Van Morrison continues to play the music he loves in front of fans, despite his anxiety. He is slated to appear at the Edmonton Folk Festival in August of this year…
Celtic Influences Inspire Music, Poetry…and Design
If you enjoy Irish-born musicians and the work they create, you may also be interested in having a look at today’s Irish jewelry designs. These pieces are also inspired by the legacy of the ancient Celts – they feature symbols that are thousands of years old. They capture the sense of romanticism and nostalgia that is evoked in Van Morrison’s work…
This Celtic Pearl and Trinity Knot Ring features one of the most ancient and enduring symbols of the British Isles. The delicate Trinity Knot is a symbol of the Holy Trinity, and its interwoven effect is an example of Celtic interlace (also known as knot work). This style also appears on Irish art treasures, such as the Book of Kells.
For a look at more affordable silver Irish jewelry designs, please visit our online Irish jewelry store.