One of New Zealand's music greats, Howard Morrison, has died aged 74.
Half Maori, half Irish, Morrison first came to public attention through his group the Howard Morrison Quartet, who performed in the late fifties and early sixties. They were perhaps noted for their 1960 song 'My Old Man's An All Black', a rework of Lonnie Donegan's 'My Old Man's A Dustman' written in protest at the New Zealand rugby team's decision to comply with South African apartheid laws and send a Maori-free team to play in South Africa.
After the Quartet disbanded Morrison continued to have a solo career, becoming one of New Zealand's best known TV and music performers. He enjoyed particular success with his single 'How Great Thou Art' in 1981, and enjoyed recent chart success with a DVD recording of a recent fiftieth anniversary concert.
Paying tribute to Morrison, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told reporters: "Sir Howard was a New Zealand success story. From humble beginnings he became an international success, first with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and then in an illustrious solo career. But more than that, Sir Howard was one of New Zealand's best loved entertainers, his appeal spanning every age group. I pay tribute to a real gentleman. My thoughts are with his whanau at this time. Sir Howard Morrison will be greatly missed".