Van Morrison would “probably not” be performing today were it not for his father’s music collection.
Crediting an early immersion in jazz with shaping a career that has spanned decades, the 80-year-old singer spoke about his enduring influences and creative process while reflecting on how his upbringing in his native Belfast informed his approach to music.
Van’s dad, an electrician at the Harland Wolff shipyard, played jazz records “day in and day out”, exposing him to a sound that would underpin his blend of soul, blues and folk.
The singer also told The Times about his resistance to repetition in performance.
Van said about whether he would be performing today if it was not for his father’s record collection: “Probably not. That was a huge influence. I was hearing jazz when I was a very young kid.
“My father played jazz records day in and day out. Skiffle came out of jazz, blues came out of jazz, so it was interconnected.”
Van also described the experience of performing live as a form of improvisation.
He added: “If everything’s coming together I can take off and they can follow me.”
His recent album Remembering Now from 2025 is part of what he described as a productive period, following criticism of his stance during the Covid pandemic, when he released the song No More Lockdown.
He said about the record and how it marked a change of direction after he sparked controversy with the Covid-themed sond: “I was getting quite a lot of negative feedback so myself and the musicians just wanted to do something that was going to be fun.”
Recognition of his early connection to jazz came with a lifetime achievement award at the Jazz FM awards.
Reflecting on earlier accolades, including an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Van added: “That was actually more to do with rock than rock’n’roll, which was a bit confusing. Rock got no roll.”
Discussing his personality, Van said: “Look up the word introvert and you’ll get me. I’m an introvert working in an extrovert world.”
He added: “The person on stage, that’s a role I’m playing.
“I’m splitting myself up into two. I couldn’t do the job as myself – I have to pretend to be somebody else.”
He added when asked if he was at his happiest on stage: “No, no, no. Whatever emotion is happening up there – sadness, anger, joy – I’m acting it out.”