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Legendary New Zealand entertainer Sir Howard Morrison has died aged 74.
Family confirmed that Sir Howard died in Rotorua this morning. He has had health problems for some time, including heart trouble.
Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's most renowned television and concert performers for more than 50 years. He was knighted in 1990 for his services to entertainment.
Sir Howard was born in Rotorua and first came to prominence singing as a member of the Howard Morrison Quartert which began performing live and making records in 1956.
The quartet continued until 1964 when it was disbanded.
The original members of the quartet also included Gerry Merito, Morrison's brother Laurie and his cousin John.
Sir Howard was the uncle of movie actor Temuera Morrison.
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New Zealand entertainment icon
Sir Howard Morrison's entertainment career spanned five decades.
He married his wife Kuia at age 22 and it was a year later that he formed the Howard Morrison Quartet.
Early gigs included performing at promoter Joe Brown's Miss New Zealand shows.
The quartet's records topped the charts, the most memorable being My Old Mans an All Black, and they became New Zealand's first popular band.
After the Howard Morrison Quartet disbanded in 1964, Howard launched a successful solo career. He became a star with his performance in the 1966 movie Don't let it Get You and then spent a number of years abroad, entertaining in hotels in Asia.
In 1978 he returned home to work as a National Youth Development Director with the Maori Affairs Department.
A month after he was knighted in 1990, Sir Howard rode his horse Nero on the Ride for Life - a 45 day journey from Invercargill to Cape Reinga, to raise money for drug education.
In later years Sir Howard continued to perform despite facing a number of health issues.
Prime Minister John Key says it is with great sadness that he has learned of the death of one of New Zealand's greatest and most loved entertainers
Family confirmed that Sir Howard died in Rotorua this morning. He has had health problems for some time, including heart trouble.
Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's most renowned television and concert performers for more than 50 years. He was knighted in 1990 for his services to entertainment.
Sir Howard was born in Rotorua and first came to prominence singing as a member of the Howard Morrison Quartert which began performing live and making records in 1956.
The quartet continued until 1964 when it was disbanded.
The original members of the quartet also included Gerry Merito, Morrison's brother Laurie and his cousin John.
Sir Howard was the uncle of movie actor Temuera Morrison.
Advertisement
New Zealand entertainment icon
Sir Howard Morrison's entertainment career spanned five decades.
He married his wife Kuia at age 22 and it was a year later that he formed the Howard Morrison Quartet.
Early gigs included performing at promoter Joe Brown's Miss New Zealand shows.
The quartet's records topped the charts, the most memorable being My Old Mans an All Black, and they became New Zealand's first popular band.
After the Howard Morrison Quartet disbanded in 1964, Howard launched a successful solo career. He became a star with his performance in the 1966 movie Don't let it Get You and then spent a number of years abroad, entertaining in hotels in Asia.
In 1978 he returned home to work as a National Youth Development Director with the Maori Affairs Department.
A month after he was knighted in 1990, Sir Howard rode his horse Nero on the Ride for Life - a 45 day journey from Invercargill to Cape Reinga, to raise money for drug education.
In later years Sir Howard continued to perform despite facing a number of health issues.
Prime Minister John Key says it is with great sadness that he has learned of the death of one of New Zealand's greatest and most loved entertainers
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