Van Morrison
United Kingdom, 1964–now
Northern Irish singer and songwriter, first with the rhythm and blues group Them. Astral Weeks (1968) sets loosely structured, stream-of-consciousness lyrics against jazz and folk accompaniment.
MusicRoots documents 7 artists who influenced Van Morrison and 5 artists Van Morrison influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Van Morrison?
- Ray Charles — Ray Charles was foundational to Morrison — 'If it weren't for guys like Ray and Solomon, I wouldn't be where I am today.'
- Solomon Burke — Solomon Burke was the other name in Morrison's own debt — the deep soul voice he named alongside Ray Charles.
- Lead Belly — Morrison grew up on Lead Belly's folk-blues — part of the blues and songster tradition beneath his sound.
- Muddy Waters — Muddy Waters's electric blues was among the records Morrison absorbed growing up in Belfast.
- Hank Williams — Hank Williams gave Morrison the country-folk strand that runs through his songwriting.
- Jackie Wilson — Jackie Wilson's dynamic R&B singing was a model for Morrison's own voice — 'Jackie Wilson Said' is his direct tribute.
- Jelly Roll Morton — One of the blues and jazz musicians Van Morrison grew up listening to, with Lead Belly.
Which artists did Van Morrison influence?
- Jeff Buckley — Van Morrison's soulful, free-flowing vocal phrasing was among the deep influences Buckley drew on, performing Morrison deep cuts in his early sets.
- Thin Lizzy — Van Morrison was Lynott's biggest vocal influence — he named Astral Weeks a major inspiration, the fellow Irishman's phrasing beneath Lynott's own.
- Fleet Foxes — Van Morrison's pastoral, soulful folk shaped Fleet Foxes' second album Helplessness Blues, where Pecknold shifted toward Morrison and Roy Harper.
- Counting Crows — Van Morrison is the defining influence on Adam Duritz — Counting Crows' soulful, ragged roots-rock and his phrasing owe an enormous debt to him.
- John Mellencamp — One of the four acts heartland rock drew most strongly on, and Mellencamp is central to the form.