HOWARD MORRISON QUARTET HITS THE HIGHLIGHTS

Te Ao Hou, December 1959, Page 49

HOWARD MORRISON QUARTET HITS THE HIGHLIGHTS When the famous American vocal group “The Platters” was appearing in Auckland Zola Taylor, the Platters' lead girl singer, sang with the Morrisons. The Americans were so impressed that they took back all the tapes and discs that the Morrisons bad recorded. Negotiations are under way for the Morrison quartet to appear in the States together with the Platters themselves, early in 1960. Anoher stroke of good fortune was the offer of the quartet to appear on the Stan Freberg Show when it played the main centres of New Zealand for 17 nights—a tremendous experience for the boys to work with world famous artists. HOWARD MORRISON Pop singer Howard Morrison, 23-year-old Te Aute College old boy, who has made a great success at leading the quartet, believes that his future lies in TV. He told a newspaper correspondent that he does not really like rock'n'roll, but, he said, it can be either good or bad and people must admit “it's the beat that changed a generation.” Howard would have liked to go to Massey College and become a Maori land officer like his father, but his plans were halted when his father died. His singing group “just grew up” at after-match functions of the Waikite Rugby Club at Rotorua. The other members of the quartet are his brother Laurie, a 28-year-old engineer's assistant, Tai Eru, a 23-year-old clerk and Jerry Merito, 21-year-old survey field cadet. EDDIE HOWELL Eddie Howell's singing career was first launched while he was attending high school in Auckland. There he studied theory and harmony, and learned to play the piano. At that stage his interest was in the light classical type of number, and he appeared in the school's Gilbert and Sullivan plays. Returning to Whakatane, Eddie helped his father on the farm, but at the back of his mind his wish was to become a professional entertainer. Coming back to Auckland, friends arranged an audition for him with entrepieneur Benny Levin. Benny Levin launched Eddie into the field of entertainment. Night club engagements followed, and regular concert appearances at the Town Hall soon established Eddie Howell as a firm favourite. His popularity lies in the fact that he can sing any type of number. He is not limited to the rock tunes, but can handle ballads as well.