Rotorua to host tribute concert to Kiwi music icons

Howard Morrison Jnr with mother Lady Kuia Morrison. Photograph by Ben Fraser

A tribute concert to late Kiwi music icons will take place in Rotorua in July - perfectly timed for sports fans.

Singer Howie Morrison Jnr has arranged the Spirit of our People concert as a tribute to musicians including his late father, Sir Howard Morrison, and Prince Tui Teka.

Morrison jnr plans to perform two of his father's songs, and Chris Powley will perform the songs of Prince Tui Teka.

From left: Chris Powley, Russell Harrison and Howie Morrison will perform at the tribute concert. Photo/File

The line-up will also include Whirimako Black, Russell Harrison and Brannigan Kaa singing Missy Teka, Ricky May and Bunny Walters songs.

Morrison Jnr said although the other performers "pounced" on the idea, arranging a date when all of the singers were free was difficult.

"I think it was about the 12th date we came to," he said.

The concert will be July 1 starting at 4pm, so concert-goers will not miss the Lions test against the All Blacks at 7.35pm that night.

"It'll be all over be 6.30pm. It's sort of a curtain-raiser," Morrison Jnr said.

"There are people who will want to go home and watch the rugby with a cup of tea."

The idea for the tribute came after the recent deaths of artists such as Tony Williams and Bunny Walters.

"Four years ago we did a tribute to dad and that went down well, and we've lost even more of our performers since then," Morrison jnr said.

Howie Morrison, organiser of the upcoming tribute concert./File

Each of the singers will perform two signature songs from a late Kiwi performer at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

Morrison jnr has been busy in the last few months, having just released his debut solo album.

He wanted to choose songs for the album that were different from those his father did, he said.

"People are always going to compare me to dad.

"But I've chosen the songs I grew up with."

His album, Howie, includes a song previously released by Prince Tui Teka, and an original song co-written by he and fellow concert performer Russell Harrison.

Harrison, another Rotorua man and former Lotto presenter, has also released new music this month - a single called 2 Much, 2 Little, 2 Late.

The full line-up:

Howie Morrison - Sir Howard Morrison
Chris Powley - Prince Tui Teka
Whirimako Black - Missy Teka
Russell Harrison - Ricky May
Leon Wharekura - Tony Williams
Brannigan Kaa - Bunny Walters
Rewa Ututaonga, Krissie Knap, Diane Tibble - Mary Yandall
Howie Morrison, Russell Harrison, Chris Powley, Leon Wharekura - The Howard Morrison Quartet
Kahu Sterling - Ngoingoi Pewhairangi