Van Morrison turns 81, fans mark the Belfast singer‑songwriter's birthday

musicAug 31, 202634423

Van Morrison turned 81 on 31 August 2026; people marked the Belfast singer-songwriter's birthday by sharing tributes, favorite songs and memories of his concerts. Posts named landmark works such as Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece, cited his 1979 hit "Bright Side of the Road," and praised albums singled out in a retrospective ranking that highlighted Poetic Champions Compose and Astral Weeks. Several messages recalled live moments, including a 1990 show at the Gaumont in Southampton where he sang "She Moved Through The Fair" and walked through the crowd. Musicians and cover artists were also noted, with references to Richie Havens' version of a Morrison song and performances of "Tore Down A La Rimbaud." Photographs and birthday greetings invoked his Belfast origins and long recording career stretching from the 1960s through the 1990s. The day reinforced attention to Morrison's catalog and to particular albums and live performances that listeners continue to revisit.

The 70s Guy

@stevenw888.bsky.social

Born 31 Aug 1945 - Northern Irish singer, songwriter and musician Van Morrison. Among many hit albums and singles, he had a 1979 hit with "Bright Side of the Road." His album 'Astral Weeks' was initially unsuccessful but later became a cult classic. Happy 81st birthday Van! #VanMorrison

6144d ago

jadamrussell.bsky.social2

If you want to hear what lovemaking sounds like in a song, “Sweet Thing,” is the only example I know. Close your eyes and listen. The pace starts slow like a kiss. Then everything builds… The bass, that triangle, to the violins. Then it crashes like a climax and slowly fades. F- Van. Magnificent.

Harry Krishna1

Well, I'm caught one more time, up on Cyprus Avenue. I just can't put into words how much I love 'Astral Weeks'. I truly believe that it was channeled.

Jimusic

@jimusic.bsky.social

Happy Birthday to Van Morrison, singer, songwriter and musician born in Belfast, Northern Ireland 81 years ago today. What are your favourite songs or albums by Van Morrison? #VanMorrison

4745d ago

Val6

Into The Mystic and Moondance two of my favorite songs ever.

Beach Boys are the GOAT4

Could You, Would You Joe Harper Saturday Morning Wild Night Saint Dominic's Preview

Richard E (The Bean Barn)4

Any track from Astral Weeks…..any one! Blew me away in ‘68 🙏🙏❤️💙

not THAT Steve Miller...3

Precious Time Wild Night And It Stoned Me Into The Mystic Comfortably Numb--Live In Berlin w/Roger Waters, the Band, and the Rundfunk Orchestra & Choir

MaryJ.A 🎧😎🎶🥼🔬🧫🍋🦜🦋2

Brown eyed girl Tupelo honey Baby please don’t go Gloria

starjet.bsky.social2

And it Stoned Me. Glad Tidings (featured in The Sopranos) Love Van, but he's COVID denier and added to that dangerous noise

Ron Sexsmith

@ronsexsmith.bsky.social

In honour of Van Morrison's birthday Ron sings "Tore Down A La Rimbaud" RS youtu.be/cZu4gdoyGcs?...

2945d ago

Jubbs McCoy

@jubbsmccoy.bsky.social

#WorldAtoZ #MusicChallenge 1 🌍📍🎶 A is for "Streets of Arklow" (1974), Van Morrison youtu.be/lhCUbYR1BsM?...

3044d ago

𝑺𝑰𝑴𝑶𝑵2

Tune ! From one of his very best albums, a real slow burner 🫶 Btw walked those street last month 😁 on a weekend away 🫡

Graeme Thomson

@graemethomson.bsky.social

Happy birthday to Van Morrison, 81 today. I've made him laugh three times. Here he is communing with the angels while looking like a 1970s club comedian working the Wigan area. Only one man can do this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ei8...

2745d ago

Graeme Thomson7

Digging this one out for the birthday boy. Often overlooked and never one of my favourites, traditionally, but it has grown on me over the years. "Snow in San Anselmo" and the title track are 🔥

Robert Dallas Gray2

I would like to hear the stories of making van laugh

Kevin O'Donnell2

Van has laughed at least 3 times? Tell us more!

Mr Natural

@neilmatheson66.bsky.social

Happy 81st birthday, singer, songwriter, and muscian Van Morrison. 🎂

1845d ago

Brian Groom

@groomb.bsky.social

Van Morrison was born in Belfast on this day 1945.

1945d ago

davidc1935.bsky.social

@davidc1935.bsky.social

From 1964, "Gloria" by Them, featuring Van Morrison, #BOTD. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFvU...

1745d ago

Shantha Mohan, Ph.D., DTM

@shlead.bsky.social

🎵And all the leaves on the trees are falling To the sound of the breezes that blow You know I'm tryin' to please to the calling Of your heartstrings that play soft and low youtu.be/6lFxGBB4UGU Happy Birthday, Van Morrison! 💐💐💐 #musicsky #music

1545d ago

Elizabeth Nelson

@paranoiacs.bsky.social

Happy birthday to the dazzling, baffling enigma that is Van Morrison, whose direct line to the ecstatic mysteries of human spirituality seems at times to run alongside a visceral dislike of actual human beings. In 2014, I fruitlessly tried ranking his LPs for Stereogum. stereogum.com/1674114/van-...

1544d ago

Music Box Magazine

@musicboxonline.bsky.social

Good morning, Blue Sky! "If I ventured in the slipstream Between the viaducts of your dream Where immobile steel rims crack And the ditch in the back roads stop Could you find me? Would you kiss-a my eyes? To lay me down In silence easy To be born again" (Happy Birthday, Van Morrison!)

1145d ago

Terry Buckalew

@terrybuckalew.bsky.social

Van Morrison’s birthday (1945). You may get disgusted Start thinking that I’m strange (Elvin Bishop on guitar with his band!) youtu.be/25LhUHKVYMo

1145d ago

Terry Buckalew8

Elvin Bishop at left (with Bob Margolin) in the cool backstage pic from Helena by my old bandmate Carla Robinson. youtu.be/ke-qbMZGJ9Y?...

Terry Buckalew3

I met Elvin Bishop once but it is unlikely that I will run into Van anywhere.

Feathers McGraw2

Astral Weeks gets so much love but the Bang records throwaway TB Sheets does all those songs better, and by better i mean drunken juke joint 3am better.

Terry Buckalew2

I guess that’s Mickey Thomas singing harmony/backing vocals (with the woman at right).

Cycle Fun Montreal1

That's was excellent. Elvin's a fine guitar player.

Nate 'The Late' Carney

@inapproprinate.bsky.social

We were born before the wind Also younger than the sun 'Ere the bonnie boat was won As we sailed into the mystic Hark now hear the sailors cry Smell the sea and feel the sky Let your soul and spirit fly Into the mystic

945d ago

Jeff

@thirdwhaletrip.bsky.social

Happy Birthday to to legend who is Van Morrison. Sounding as brilliant today as he was nearly 70 years ago. #Musicsky 👌👏👏 music.apple.com/gb/album/ast...

845d ago

Mo in Columbus OH

@moincolumbusoh.bsky.social

#LookAndSee 503 #MusicChallenge #MusicSky youtu.be/zX78GJOSJkE?... Robbie Robertson - I Hear You Paint Houses 😉 #LookAndSee 503 🎶

1244d ago

1 source

wp.meRanking Van Morrison’s albums 1969-1995

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Van Morrison turns 81, fans mark the Belfast singer‑songwriter's birthday

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