Editorial: Farewell to a great talent

OPINION: The word icon is possibly the most overused in our modern vocabulary, but it is the only way to describe a man of the stature of Sir Howard Morrison.

Sir Howard, who died yesterday at the age of 74, was a great asset to this country who did as much to unite New Zealanders both Maori and Pakeha as anyone of his generation. A lot of New Zealanders particularly those over 40 will feel his loss as keenly as that of Sir Edmund Hillary. Younger New Zealanders may be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about because, as Sir Howard aged, his public appearances became fewer. But his appeal to many will endure.

Those lucky enough to have seen him perform live or watched him on television in his prime will know what the fuss is all about. Indeed, people of all ages will feel the hair on the back of their necks stand on end on hearing recordings of some of his bigger hits.

Sir Howard was the kingpin in a talented family that was a tour-de-force. In the midst of all that talent he stood out because had a great voice, good looks and charisma. But, perhaps his biggest asset was his sense of humour.

In songs such as My Old Man's an All Black, he took a political swipe at the great injustice of leaving Maori out of rugby teams touring South Africa, but in a gentle and funny way. Sir Howard blazed a trail that comic genius Billy T James followed, and that sense of humour can be traced all the way through to Bro' Town, the hugely successful Maori television cartoon. All Maori comedians since owe a debt to Sir Howard.

His was a world of glitzy Kiwi entertainment and he combined humour, music and showmanship at a time when New Zealanders could laugh at themselves.

In later years he was best known as the frontman for Bic. The lighter you light with and the pen that you write with may have been irritating, but an entertainer has to eat. Certainly the main body of his work, the comedy and the big songs, will stand the test of time.

While Sir Howard made a living out of gently mocking his people, he was also a powerful advocate for them.

He was a straight talker who did not suffer fools or fret about speaking his mind. A number of politicians felt his wrath, including the last Labour Government when he rightly went for them over the injustice of the Foreshore and Seabed Act. He made the wrong sort of headlines when he described a female entertainer as "too big" and was unapologetic. He could be blunt, but he earned that right, given he pre-dated any ideas about political correctness. He could also laugh at himself.

His passing will be felt by many in this country and it is difficult to do justice to his many achievements. His wonderful voice may have been silenced, but warm memories of his great talent will live on in countless hearts and minds.