BBC Radio Ulster celebrates Van Morrison’s 80th birthday
BBC Northern Ireland will celebrate Sir Van Morrison’s 80th birthday this month with a special Astral Weekend of programmes and music on BBC Radio Ulster.
From Friday 29th August until his birthday on Sunday 31st August, the station will feature themed content, live recordings, listener choices and reflections on the Belfast singer’s career and influence.
The weekend begins on Friday with a Van-themed Thought For The Day. On Saturday, Kerry McLean opens breakfast with a classic track, Your Place And Mine visits County Down locations from his song Coney Island, and John Toal revisits key Belfast landmarks. Later, Taylor Johnson spotlights cover versions, Neil Martin looks at folk recordings, and Mike Edgar ends the evening with four favourites.
On Sunday, there will be reflections on the spiritual side of Van’s songwriting on Sunday Sequence, classics with Anna Curran, and a special Long Player dedicated to Avalon Sunset.
Ralph McLean hosts Vanatics, with stories from fans worldwide, followed by a repeat of Up On Cyprus Avenue, recorded for his 70th birthday. The concert will also air on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.
The weekend closes with Kathy Clugston’s Sunday Club, while throughout August Ralph McLean has been counting down the Top 80 Van Morrison Songs, concluding with the Top 20 on 25th August.
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