Called a lyrical visionary by Rolling Stone, Van Morrison (1945–) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The soulful singer-songwriter grew up listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, and his father's vast collection of jazz and blues records: Music that lit a fire within.

In 1964, Morrison formed the band Them and stunned audiences with the sensual anthem Gloria, a romantic tribute that echoed with raw wonder and teenage longing.

“From the journalistic point of view, what I do is rock music,” he once explained. “But what I actually perform and do on albums has nothing to do with rock. It's a combination of gospel, blues, and folk.”

With his blue-eyed soul and passionate voice, Morrison inspired artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Seger, and Elvis Costello. “You do what you're doing and if it's going to happen it will, and there's nothing you can do about it,” he said, embracing surrender with grace.

His solo debut Brown Eyed Girl (1967) opened the door to a lifetime of poetic expression. Songs like Moondance and Domino shimmered with rhythm and reverie. An avid reader, Morrison drew inspiration from Coleridge, Yeats, and James Joyce, crafting lyrics that danced between soul and scripture.

“I didn't need drugs to have experiences,” he said. “I always had them without it. Alcohol would impair them. It produces a false ecstasy.”

Disenchanted at times with the industry, Morrison remained true to his musical path, surviving with creative grace and unshakable authenticity. “Music is spiritual,” he declared. “The music business is not.”

“In order to win you must be prepared to lose sometime,” he said. “And leave one or two cards showing.”