Russell Norman MorrisAM[1](born 31 July 1948) is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist who had five Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960s and early 1970s.[2]On 1 July 2008, theAustralian Recording Industry Association(ARIA) recognised Morris' status when he was inducted into theARIA Hall of Fame.[3][4]
Russell Morris | |
|---|---|
 Morris at the2014 ARIA Music Awards Sydney, 26 November 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Russell Norman Morris |
| Born | 31 July 1948 Richmond, Victoria,Australia |
| Origin | Australian |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | EMI Wizard Festival Records Mushroom Records |
| Formerly of | Somebody's Image Russell Morris Band Russell Morris & the Rubes Burns Cotton & Morris Cotton Keays & Morris The Morris Springfield Project |
| Website | russellmorris.com.au |
"The Real Thing" was added to theNational Film and Sound Archive'sSounds of Australiaregistry in 2013.[5]
Career
edit1966–1968: Beginnings and 'Somebody's Image'
editMorris' career started in September 1966, when Morris was 18 years old with the formation of the Melbourne groupSomebody's Image,together with Kevin Thomas (rhythm guitar), Phillip Raphael (lead guitar), Eric Cairns (drums) and Les Allan (also known as "Les Gough" ) (bass guitar). Somebody's Image quickly developed a strong following at Melbourne's premier venues. It wasn't long before the band came to the notice of Go-Set staff writerIan Meldrumand the group had a local hit version of theJoe Southsong "Hush",which peaked at number 15 on the national chart.[6](the song reaching No. 2 on the local Melbourne charts)[7]
Meldrum's support and hard work promoting the band helped them to secure a firmer recording deal withEMI Records.The result was their third single "Hide And Seek" which peaked at No. 32 in Melbourne. It was their last release with their original singer with Russell leaving Somebody's Image in September 1968.[8]
1969–1971: Solo career and "The Real Thing"
editMorris' debut solo single was a near seven-minute production extravaganza around a song called "The Real Thing",released in March 1969." The Real Thing "was written byJohnny Young,produced byMolly Meldrumand engineered byJohn L Sayers.[9]The backing track was performed by members of Melbourne soul bandThe Groop,which includedBrian Cadd,Richard Wright (drums) and Don Mudie (bass) as well asZootguitaristRoger Hicks(who composed and performed the acoustic guitarhook) and backing vocalistsRonnie Charles(The Groop), the Chiffons (includingMaureen Elkner) andMarcie and The Cookies' Sue Brady and Judy Condon.
"The Real Thing" is one of the classic psychedelic singles of the 1960s. The release unsettled radio programmers, who had never been asked to play such a long Australian single before, and a shortened version which omitted the extended coda was often played. At around six minutes and thirty seconds, it was the longest pop single recorded in Australia at that time (althoughThe Beatles' "Hey Jude"at nearly 7 minutes had appeared the year before). The single reached Australia's Number 1 spot in June 1969, and number one in Chicago,Houstonand New York City, despite international distribution difficulties. It was the biggest selling Australian single of 1969.
The song was followed by "Part Three into Paper Walls"was released in July 1969. The track was co-written byJohnny Youngand Morris and arranged byJohn Farrar.The single received extensive airplay making it a double number one recording, the first time an Australian artist had scored consecutive number ones with their first two singles. Many radio stations also began flipping the single over and playing the lush B-side ballad "The Girl That I Love", thereby lengthening the single's shelf life—and revealing to radio listeners another facet of Russell's singing talents. "Morris Mania" was in full swing, with a demanding schedule of live appearances and the continued invaluable support from Uptight and Go-Set.[8]
Morris, in the meantime, travelled to the United Kingdom to help promote "The Real Thing" but the song didn't perform well. Morris returned to Australia in December 1969 and performed a concert in Brisbane which was attended by 5,000 people, of which more than 100 were taken off in an ambulance due to 'advanced hysteria'.[10]Morris began recording new tracks with Howard Gable. Morris recorded English songwriterRaymond Froggatt's "Rachel"which peaked at No. 23 in May 1970. The song become a big hit in New Zealand, where it reached No. 1 in July 1970."Mr America"followed, which was a riff-heavy, gospel-flavoured number with a soaring female choral backing. Coupled with the equally strong self-penned B-side," Stand Together ", the single returned Russell to the charts, hitting the national Top 10 in January 1971." Mr America "also won Morris theTV Week's Music Awardsaccolade for "Composer of the Year".
1971–1973:BloodstoneandWings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits
editMorris concentrated on his own songwriting and with the cream of Australian musicians includingBrian Cadd,Rick Springfield,Beeb Birtlesand Marcie Jones, spent almost a year painstakingly recording and re-recording what became theBloodstonealbum. The album was recorded at Channel 9's TCS Studios and produced byHoward Gable."Sweet, Sweet Love",backed with the funky, Band-ish album cut" Jail Jonah's Daughter "was released in June and peaked at No. 7 in July 1971, while the album made the national Top 20, peaking at No. 12 soon after its release in September and earning great praise from critics as well."Live with Friends"and"Wings of an Eagle"were also released peaking within the top 20. In March 1973, EMI Records released the first hits compilation called,Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hitswhich peaked at number 12 in Australia.
1973–1977: New York andRussell MorrisandTurn it On
editIn 1973, Morris moved to London to record an album, only to discover there was no record contract waiting for him. He relocated to New York City and worked on an album there. He releasedRussell Morrisin 1975 onRobie Porter's Wizard label in Australia and onRCAfor US release. "Let's Do It" / "Don't Rock the Boat" peaked at number 30 in Australia. A second American album was released in 1976, calledTurn it On.It was two more years before Morris was granted his green card, enabling him to tour America. But by then, any chance of an American career had remained unfulfilled. Instead, Morris returned to Australia
1978–1996: Australia, Russell Morris bands andA Thousand Suns
editOnce Morris had returned to Australia, he formed the Russell Morris Band. The band signed withMushroom Recordsand commenced live performances, writing songs designed to be played live rather than chasing radio airplay, but scoring a couple of minor hits on the way. Eventually, the band played and recorded as Russell Morris & the Rubes.
The Rubes achieved critical acclaim but mainstream radio refused to play their tracks. By 1983 the five Rubes made a decision, if their single "Get It Right", which they rated highly, wasn't picked up by radio, they’d call it quits, which they did.[11]
Morris also fronted The Lonely Boys throughout the 1980s and he also branched out onto the musical stage, appearing as 'Riff Raff' in a Melbourne production ofThe Rocky Horror Showand a few years later taking on the role ofSimon Zealotesin the hit 1992 arena production ofJesus Christ SuperstaralongsideJohn Farnham,Kate Ceberano,Angry AndersonandJon Stevens. In November 1991, Morris released another solo album,A Thousand Suns,which peaked at number 98.[12]
1996–2006: Bands with Ronnie Burns, Darryl Cotton and Jim Keays
editIn 1996, Morris joined fellow 1960s singersRonnie BurnsandDarryl Cottonand began touring under the nameBurns Cotton & Morris.The group released three albums. In 2000,Jim Keaysreplaced Burns and the group called themselvesCotton Keays & Morris.They released five albums over the next 5 years. The trio toured until Darryl Cotton's death in 2012.
Also in 2000, Morris' "The Real Thing" and "Wings of an Eagle"featured prominently in the Australian-made movieThe Dish,andMidnight Oilreleased a cover version of "The Real Thing" as a single and as the title track of their live acoustic albumThe Real Thing.At theGimme Tedbenefit concert on 9 March 2001 Morris performed two songs.[13]In 2002 he took a place of honour among his peers as part of the hugely successful Long Way to the Top concert tour. Rouseabout Records released the definitive 2CD Russell Morris anthology, calledThe Real Thing,covering his entire career.
2007–2011:Fundamentalist,Brian Cadd and ARIA Hall of Fame
editIn May 2007, Morris recordedFundamentalistan acoustic album of his earlier hits. The album was released on Liberation Blue and as of September 2013, has sold around 8,000 copies.[14]
In 2007, Morris teamed up with longtime friendBrian Caddand released a live album titledLive at the Con.The duo performed irregularly for the next three years and released a studio album in 2011 titledWild Bulls and Horses.
On 1 July 2008, Morris was inducted into theARIA Hall of Fame.He was joined on-stage by guest musiciansSteve Kilbey,Tim Powles,Jak Housden,Clayton Doley and Lachlan Doley to perform "The Real Thing".[15]According to Andrew Murfett ofThe Age,"Russell Morris, whose classic "The Real Thing" was performed with a supergroup comprising members ofThe Church,The WhitlamsandPowderfinger,was inducted with a tribute fromMidnight OildrummerRob Hirst.Morris proved to be a revelation on the night, stirring the crowd with a terrific performance."[16]
In October 2010, Morris' 1973 album,Wings of an Eagle and Other Great Hits,was listed in the book100 Best Australian Albums.[17]
2012–2018: Blues trilogy:Sharkmouth,Van Diemen's LandandRed Dirt – Red Heart
editIn October 2012 Morris released the first of his trilogy of Australian story albums.Sharkmouthis a collection of tracks about the Australian of the 1920s and 30s and includes songs aboutPhar Lap,Les DarcyandThe Great Depression.The album features appearances byMark Lizotte,Troy Cassar-DaleyandRenee Geyer.The album reached No. 6 on the ARIA charts and was certified platinum.[18]
In April 2014, Morris releasedVan Diemen's Landwhich focused on larger events rather than individuals, from the prison ships that began Australia as a penal settlement to the union strikes, the First and Second World Wars as well as paddle steamers on theMurray River.Van Diemen's Landwas nominated for Best Blues and Roots at the 2014 ARIA Awards, certified Gold sales and was the highest-charting album of Russell's 50-year career to date debuting at No.4 on the overall ARIA Charts.[19]
In 2015, Morris releasedRed Dirt – Red Heart,the third and final album in the trilogy.Red Dirt – Red Heartis about the Australian Interior. Stories of twobushrangers,a song about a beautiful town, a song about a loner, a recluse, and an escape artist, a snake and theNullarbor Plain.The album peaked at number 21 on the ARIA Charts. At theARIA Music Awards of 2016,Red Dirt – Red HeartwonARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album.
2019–present:Black and Blue Heartand the Morris Springfield Project
editIn February 2019, Morris confirmed the release of his next studio albumBlack and Blue Hearton 5 April 2019. The album, produced byPowderfinger'sBernard FanningandNick DiDia,has been described as a rock album.[20]
In 2021, Morris joinedRick Springfieldand formedThe Morris Springfield Project.The Morris Springfield Project releasedJack Chrome and the Darkness Waltzin October 2021 which debuted at number 34 on the ARIA Charts.[21]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- Bloodstone(1971)
- Russell Morris(1975)
- Turn it On(1976)
- Foot in the Dooras the Russell Morris Band (1979)
- Almost Franticas Russell Morris & the Rubes (1981)
- A Thousand Suns(1991)
- Off the Shelf(2002)
- Fundamentalist(2007)
- Jumpstart Diary(2008)
- Wild Bulls and Horseswith Brian Cadd (2011)
- Sharkmouth(2012)
- Van Diemen's Land(2014)
- Red Dirt – Red Heart(2015)
- Black and Blue Heart(2019)
- The Dreams of Jack Chrome(2022)
See also
editAwards and nominations
editAIR Awards
editThe Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally asAIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector. The commenced in 2006.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Red Dirt – Red Heart | Best Independent Blues and Roots Album | Nominated | [22][23] |
| 2024 | The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert | Best Independent Classical Album or EP | Nominated | [24] |
APRA Awards
editTheAPRA Awardsare presented annually from 1982 by theAustralasian Performing Right Association(APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[25]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Black Blues Dog" (James Keays & Russell Morris) | Blues & Roots Work of the Year | Nominated | [26] |
| 2015 | "Van Diemens Land" (Shannon Bourne & Russell Morris) | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | [27] |
ARIA Music Awards
editTheARIA Music Awardsis an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres ofAustralian music.They commenced in 1987[28]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | himself | ARIA Hall of Fame | inductee |
| 2013 | Sharkmouth | Best Blues and Roots Album | Won |
| 2014 | Van Diemens Land | Best Blues and Roots Album | Nominated |
| 2016 | Red Dirt – Red Heart | Best Blues and Roots Album | Won |
Australian Songwriter's Hall of Fame
editThe Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 2004 to honour the lifetime achievements of some of Australia's greatest songwriters.[29]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | himself | Australian Songwriter's Hall of Fame | inducted |
Go-Set Pop Poll
editThe Go-Set Pop Pollwas coordinated by teen-oriented pop music newspaper,Go-Setand was established in February 1966 and conducted an annual poll during 1966 to 1972 of its readers to determine the most popular personalities.[30]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | himself | Male Vocal | 1st |
| 1970 | himself | Male Vocal | 2nd |
| Composer | 4th | ||
| 1971 | himself | Male Vocal | 2nd |
| Composer / Song Writer | 1st | ||
| "Mr. America" | Best Single | 4th | |
| 1972 | himself | Male Vocal | 2nd |
| Composer / Song Writer | 3rd | ||
| Bloodstone | Best Album | 4th |
King and Queen of Pop Awards
editThe King and Queen of Pop Awardswere voted by the readers ofTV Week.The King of Pop award started in 1967 and ran through to 1978.[30]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Bloodstone | Best Album | Won |
| himself for "Mr America" | Composer / Song Writer | Won |
Mo Awards
editThe Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as theMo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Russell Morris won one award in that time.[31]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Russell Morris | Hall of Fame | inductee |
Music Victoria Awards
editTheMusic Victoria Awardsare an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013[32][33] | Sharkmouth | Best Blues Albums | Nominated |
Tamworth Songwriters Awards
editThe Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) is an annual songwriting contest for original country songs, awarded in January at theTamworth Country Music Festival.They commenced in 1986.[34]Russell Morris won one award in that time.[35]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "Out of the Blue" by Russell Morris | Contemporary Song of the Year | Won |
References
edit- General
- Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and PopbyIan McFarlane(Allen & Unwin, Sydney (1999)) (ISBN1-86508-072-1)
- Australian Encyclopedia of Rock & Popby Noel McGrath (Rigby Publishers (1978))
- The Who's Who of Australian Rockby- Chris Spencer (Moonlight Publishing (1993))
- Specific
- ^MORRIS, Russell Norman
- ^""Wings of an Eagle" at Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) ".APRA.Retrieved21 May2008.
- ^Cashmere, Paul (1 May 2008)."Dragon and Russell Morris to be Inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame".undercover.com.au.Archived fromthe originalon 21 July 2008.Retrieved17 May2008.
- ^Mangan, John (1 May 2008)."Old rockers never die, says ARIA".The Age.Retrieved20 May2008.
- ^National Film and Sound Archive:Sounds of Australia.
- ^Nimmervoll, Ed."Russell Morris Biography".Allmusic.Retrieved20 May2008.
- ^"Where did they get that song?".Pop Archives.Retrieved29 May2008.
- ^ab"RUSSELL MORRIS".www.milesago.com.Retrieved18 June2016.
- ^"John Sayers: Track Record".John Sayers.Retrieved21 May2008.
- ^The Very Best of(CD). Russell Morris. EMI Records. 2013.
{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^"Russell Morris".Australian RoadCrew.15 June 1982.Retrieved3 August2022.
- ^"ARIA Report Week Commencing ~ 11 February 2013 ~ Issue #1198"(PDF).webarchive.nla.gov.au/. 11 February 2013. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 19 February 2013.Retrieved17 May2016.
- ^Holmgren, Magnus."Gimme Ted – The Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts".Australian Rock Database. Archived fromthe originalon 22 August 2003.Retrieved4 December2020.
- ^"Russell Morris – even better than the real thing".Carol Duncan.Australian Broadcasting Corporation.16 September 2013.Retrieved25 June2016.
- ^"ARIA announced all-star cast to induct and perform"(PDF).Australian Recording Industry Association(ARIA). Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 19 July 2008.Retrieved2 July2008.
- ^Murfett, Andrew (2 July 2008)."Rockers hail Rolf in Hall of Fame".The Age.Retrieved5 July2008.
- ^O'Donnell, John;Creswell, Toby;Mathieson, Craig(October 2010).100 Best Australian Albums.Prahran, Vic:Hardie Grant Books.ISBN978-1-74066-955-9.
- ^"Russell Morris".Ambition Entertainment.Retrieved26 January2014.
- ^"End of Year Charts – ARIA Top 100 Albums 2014".Australian Recording Industry Association.Retrieved8 January2015.
- ^"Russell Morris reverts to Rock for 'Black and Blue Heart'".noise11. 22 February 2019.Retrieved22 February2019.
- ^"Music Of The Spheres hands Coldplay seventh ARIA #1 album".ARIA Charts.22 October 2021.Retrieved23 October2021.
- ^"A.B Original dominates 2017 AIR Awards nominations".theindustryobserver.31 May 2017.Retrieved20 August2020.
- ^"History Wins".Australian Independent Record Labels Association.Retrieved18 August2020.
- ^"2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More".The Music.14 May 2024.Retrieved16 May2024.
- ^"APRA History".Australasian Performing Right Association(APRA) |Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society(AMCOS).Retrieved25 April2022.
- ^"Blues & Roots Work of the Year".Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 1 April 2015.Retrieved18 March2015.
- ^"APRA's Shortlist Of The Top Aussie Songs Of 2014 Is Hereng of the Year!".Music Feeds.15 January 2015.Retrieved28 April2022.
- ^"Russell Morris ARIA Awards search".ARIA.Retrieved23 August2020.
- ^"Hall of Fame".asai.Retrieved17 September2020.
- ^ab"Australian Music Awards".Ron Jeff.Retrieved16 December2010.
- ^"MO Award Winners".Mo Awards.Retrieved16 March2022.
- ^"Previous Nominess".Music Victoria.Retrieved13 August2020.
- ^"Previous Winners".Music Victoria.Retrieved13 August2020.
- ^"Tamworth Songwriters Association".Tamworth Songwriters Association Online.Retrieved23 March2022.
- ^"Tamworth Songwriters Association Past Winners".Tamworth Songwriters Association Online.Retrieved23 March2022.