Hot Press: Rave On, Van Morrison! – A 75^th birthday tribute to the Irish musical legend.

To mark his 75^th birthday on August 31^st – in a world first – Ireland's Hot Press magazine has curated musical tributes by 75 exceptional artists, to be broadcast to the world via YouTube, in August and September.

Van Morrison, and his extraordinary work as a songwriter, are to be celebrated in a remarkable music extravaganza, created by Ireland's Hot Press magazine, to mark the 75^th birthday of the Irish songwriting legend. Titled Rave On, Van Morrison, the musical tribute will be broadcast via YouTube throughout August and into September, with a full schedule set to be announced shortly.

Rave On, Van Morrison is the title given to what is an historic World First: a celebration of one artist's music, involving 75 of Ireland's leading and emerging singers and musicians, who pay simultaneous, personal homage by recording, and performing to camera, songs written by Van Morrison.

Van Morrison – full name George Ivan Morrison – was born in Belfast on August 31^st, 1945. An only child, he grew up on Hyndford Street, in East Belfast. He is widely recognised as one of the finest and most important songwriters in the world, having produced and released a unique and powerful body of work over the past 60 years, including over 40 original albums – and this is reflected in the quality of the cast assembled by Hot Press for this special, extended YouTube showcase.

Among those who have recorded tracks for broadcast is the President of Ireland, Michael D.Higgins, who has performed Rave On, John Donne – the spoken word track, which first appeared on the album Inarticulate Speech of the Heart (1983) and from which the celebration derives its name. This extraordinary rendition of what is a powerful Morrison song is completed by Bill Whelan, the creator of the global musical phenomenon, Riverdance, who conjures a beautiful musical tapestry around the President's distinctive and emotional reading.

Rave On, Van Morrison will also be supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and its global diplomatic network, and by Tourism Ireland.

President Michael D. Higgins said: “Van Morrison is one of the outstanding songwriters and performers of the past 60 years and has been a powerful inspiration to successive generations of musicians and artists all over the island of Ireland, and abroad. It is a great privilege to be part of this extraordinary celebration of Van's work, on the occasion of his 75^th birthday. Long may he continue. Rave on, Van Morrison.”

Other artists who will perform Van Morrison songs as part of Rave On, Van Morrison include at least two of the four Irish artists who have achieved US No.1 albums, Hozier and Sinéad O'Connor. Also performing Van's songs are leading Irish music lights like Imelda May, Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats, Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, Andrea Corr of The Corrs, Glen Hansard, Paul Brady, Damien Dempsey, Úna Healy of The Saturdays, Damien Rice, Gavin James, The Academic, Moya Ní Bhraonáin of Clannad, Loah, Mick Flannery, Mary Stokes, Altan, Eleanor McEvoy, David Keenan and the rising young Dublin rapper, Malaki, among many more.

MOBO-nominated drummer and composer David Lyttle, from Belfast, has recorded On Hyndford Street, featuring the voice of acclaimed Irish actor Liam Neeson. And the multi-garlanded fiddle player Martin Hayes of The Gloaming delivers a marvellous interpretation of Moondance on fiddle.

Having created and curated the musical extravaganza, Hot Press will also publish a special Van Morrison tribute issue of the magazine in August, to mark the occasion. An historic publication, it will include special contributions from Irish and international musicians on the genius of Van Morrison.

Week 1
Tue Aug 4^th: Andrea Corr – Moondance.
Wed Aug 5^th: Hudson Taylor – Cyprus Avenue.
Thu Aug 6^th: Úna Healy – Reminds Me of You.
Fri Aug 7^th: Thanks Brother – Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.
Sat Aug 8^th: Tim Wheeler – Jackie Wilson Said.
Sun Aug 9^th: David Keenan – Slim Slow Slider.

Week 2
Mon Aug 10^th: Gary Lightbody, Miriam Kaufman & Iain Archer – Into The Mystic.
Tue Aug 11^th: The Scratch – Sweet Thing.
Wed Aug 12^th: Bronagh Gallagher – And The Healing Has Begun.
Thu Aug 13^th: Imelda May – Wild Night.
Fri Aug 14^th: Maverick Sabre – Beautiful Vision.
Sat Aug 15^th: Wallis Bird – Listen to the Lion.
Sun Aug 16^th: JC Stewart – Bright Side of the Road.

Each performance will be posted on Hot Press' YouTube page @ 7.00pm