Van’s 70th Birthday Party

Just over 24 hours after performing two sold out gigs on Cyprus Avenue for over 4,000 people, Van hosted a private birthday party with a selection of specially invited family, friends, colleagues and collaborators from throughout his extensive career.

Taking place at Lady Dufferin’s Clandeboye Estate in County Down, the event was attended by over 100 guests including Kim Cattrall, Eddie Irvine, Paul Muldoon, Michael Longley, PJ Proby, John Platania, Liz Kennedy, Lady Dufferin, John Bennett, Ken & Ian of the Jive Aces and Van’s Mother, Violet Morrison.

The soundtrack to the night was provided by Chris Farlowe and The Norman Beaker Band, performing tracks including ‘Out Of Time’, ‘Tough On Me, Tough On You’ and ‘Handbags And Gladrags’. In the second half of the set, the band were joined by Van’s former saxophonist and BBC Radio 2 presenter Leo Green.

In a year that has already seen Van being honoured with a Knighthood, releasing a top 5 UK album and the re-release of his catalogue for the digital market, the celebration was the perfect opportunity to reflect on achievements to date and more importantly, plan for what is still to come.

Photo captions (L-R) 

1 Lady Dufferin, PJ Proby, Paul Muldoon 
2 Billy McAllen, PJ Proby, Manja Dolan 
3 Edna Longley, Michael Longley 
4 Roy Kane 
5 Harry Megahey, Violet Morrison 
6 Lady Dufferin, Van Morrison, Karen Kane 
7 Karen Kane, Van Morrison 
8 Rev Bill Dunn, Van Morrison, Vince Power 
9 Van Morrison, Sammy Stitt, Bill Ruth 
10 Van Morrison, Mac, Leo Green 
11 Chris Farlowe and The Norman Beaker Band 
12 Chris Farlowe and The Norman Beaker Band 
13 Kim Cattrall, Billy McAllen, Van Morrison, Kerry Adamson, Gil Irvine, George Jones 
14 Van Morrison, Liz Kennedy, Nina Kennedy