Van interview coup for BBC
Sunday, February 25, 2007
By John McGurk
Publicity-shy singing legend Van Morrison usually lets his music do the
talking.
But in a broadcasting coup, BBC Northern Ireland has managed to persuade the
reclusive star to give his first telly interview in years.
Details of the scoop are still hush-hush but Sunday Life can confirm 'Van
the Man' has recently filmed an interview with the Beeb's Mike Edgar.
Mike, the Beeb's head of entertainment, events & sport, has a
musical background himself, once playing drums for Eighties outfit Cruella
de Ville.
Said a BBC NI spokeswoman: "I know that the interview has taken place.
It has been filmed for TV, but there are no plans yet on exactly when it
will be shown."
Last Christmas, a Nashville concert by the 61-year-old was one of the
highlights of Radio Ulster's programme schedule.
And in August 2005 the station celebrated his 60th birthday with a Van
Morrison Day.
During more than 40 years in the spotlight, Morrison has given very few
media interviews.
There are only a handful of local TV appearances to his name.
In September 2005, Morrison was named as the worst interviewee in music
journalism history by The Independent newspaper.
