PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins is to join acclaimed Irish artists today in a musical tribute to Van Morrison on his 75th birthday.
Rave On, Van Morrison will feature performances from Brian Kennedy, Bob Geldof, Glen Hansard and Hozier among others.
The video special has been curated by Hot Press magazine and will broadcast on YouTube from 7pm.
It is the centrepiece of a celebration of the life and music of the man widely considered to be Ireland's greatest and most influential songwriter, singer and performer.
Hot Press asked 75 Irish artists to record videos of Morrison's songs. Over the past three weeks, these have premiered nightly.
On the birthday itself, Rave On, Van Morrison will feature 11 performances from a star-studded array of admirers.
It will open with President Michael D Higgins reading Rave On, John Donne with music provided by composer Bill Whelan, creator of Riverdance.
Further videos will run on the quarter-hour. They include Brian Kennedy singing Days Like This as well as Paul Casey and Friends featuring Terri Hooley performing In The Days Before Rock n Roll.
"It has been really thrilling watching the videos land," said Hot Press editor Niall Stokes.
"The result is a feast of extraordinary music, brilliantly delivered by artists from all over the island of Ireland. This is a hugely deserved tribute to a brilliant, internationally acclaimed artist from east Belfast. But Rave On, Van Morrison has also turned into a powerful confirmation of the outstanding talent that exists in this extraordinary place on the eastern edge of the Atlantic ocean. Long may it continue."
Rave On, Van Morrison runs until Sunday September 15. The series has already featured Gary Lightbody, Bronagh Gallagher, Tim Wheeler and Duke Special - all of which can now be viewed on the Hot Press YouTube channel.
