BBC Radio Ulster is marking the 70th birthday of Belfast-born music legend Van Morrison with six days of special programmes, features and events – culminating in an exclusive full live broadcast of the superstar’s sold-out 70th birthday concert from Cyprus Avenue, Belfast.
Ralph’s Top 70 Van Tracks Countdown From Wednesday 26 August until Friday 28 August, Ralph McLean presents three two-hour programmes on BBC Radio Ulster each night from 8-10pm, where he will be counting down songs from Van’s illustrious career, which spans more than 50 years. Ralph’s Top 70 Van Tracks Countdown celebrates the Belfast-born musician’s best known work as chosen by BBC Radio Ulster listeners.
Happy Birthday Van During the week well known personalities from these shores pass on their birthday greetings to the multi-award winning artist in a series of short programmes called Happy Birthday Van. Famous Van Morrison fans such as Barry Douglas, Paddy Maloney, Brian Keenan, Phil Coulter and Sir Bob Geldof discuss how Van inspired them and choose the song that means the most to them. Happy Birthday Van can be heard before 11.55am and approximately 9.50pm from Wednesday 26 August until Friday 28 August and at 8.55am, 11.55pm and 4.55pm on Monday, August 31.
Arts Show From 6.30pm on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, the Arts Show will include a daily celebration of Van Morrison and his work.
Gardeners’ Corner & John Toal On Saturday 29 August, the Van Morrison themed programmes take a horticultural turn as Cherrie McIlwaine presents a Gardeners’ Corner special featuring gardens and green spaces in east Belfast from 9am. Later that morning, at 11am, John Toal will bring his show live from east Belfast in advance of Van’s two sell-out concerts on Monday 31 August.
Into The Music And winding up the Van Morrison programming on Saturday 29 August is the special BBC Radio Ulster concert Into The Music at 6.05pm where Ralph McLean introduces local musicians, including The Four Of Us,The Clameens, Anthony Toner, Wookalilly and Ronnie Greer, as they pay a birthday tribute to Van Morrison at the Park Avenue Hotel in east Belfast.
The Story Of Them On Sunday 30 August at 2pm there is another chance to hear Dan Gordon present The Story Of Them. Who are Them? What are Them? - asked the newspaper ads in 1964.This documentary tells the story of the five-piece rhythm & blues band from Belfast who scored a string of hits including Baby Please Don’t Go and Here Comes The Night.The programme features interviews with band members and, of course, music for the band. This is the story of the incredible rise and fall of one of Northern Ireland’s most famous musical exports.
Van Morrison Live On Cyprus Avenue And finally on Monday 31 August, the day of Van’s birthday – BBC Radio Ulster will exclusively broadcast Van Morrison’s full 70th birthday concert live from Cyprus Avenue – the street which famously inspired the Astral Weeks track of the same name. Broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle from 2.45pm, this is a unique opportunity for Van Morrison lovers to hear the artist in all his live glory as he performs his sold-out matinee concert as part of the Eastside Arts Festival. Prior to the concert starting, Ralph McLean will be setting the scene for listeners as he takes in his surroundings at the Cyprus Avenue concert and chatting to fans lucky enough to get tickets for the event.
BBC Northern Ireland viewers will also have the chance to witness Van Morrison in action and relive the concert when it receives its exclusive television broadcast on BBC One NI on Friday, September 4 at 10.35pm. (Transmission times correct at time of publication.)
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