Van Morrison knighted

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

Van Morrison received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday honours:
http://www.vanmorrison.com/news.aspx?id=101496

He's had a big year, including launching the Van Morrison Trail in East Belfast and performing at his old Orangefield School. And on his 70th birthday (31Aug2015), Sir Van Morrison is performing a neighbourhood concert in Cypress Avenue, location of one of his famous songs.

[Jim Nasium]

Nice of Van to thank the fans, it is a pity he cannot find the time to do that in concert, the last time my wife and I saw him, not a word. Finished his gig and just walked off stage. We drove some distance to see him, a night in a hotel at some cost. A ''Thank you" would have been appreciated. However, good luck to him and he deserves it.

[joveski]

and there's the story from the late 80s when fan bumped into him in a newsagent in Belfast and politely asked for an autograph - the response was "no, f*** off". at least his music is better than his attitude to fans!. maybe he's mellowed down as he gets older

[Jim Nasium]

joveski, What you say does not surprise me. It reminded me of a thing I heard on TV regarding another well known Irish superstar, albeit from the Republic.
A couple were in a restaurant in Dublin celebrating the 1st anniversary of their meeting, when Bono walked in with another guy. This couple were big U2 fans and desperately wanted to get an autograph and photograph but were dubious about approaching him. Later on Bono went to the toilet and the young man went across and spoke to Bono's friend asking if Bono would mind if he and his girlfriend came across to the table. The guy told the fellow to go back to his table and he would talk to Bono and if it is alright he will wave them over. Bono came back and a few minutes later the man waved them over. Bono was very pleasant signed autographs and they had their photos taken.
The couple were overjoyed, Bono and friend left, gave the couple a wave on the way out. When the couple came to pay their bill, the waiter said that the bill has been paid with a generous tip. The young man asked if Bono had paid their bill, the waiter said no sir, Bruce Springsteen did.

[charlene]

LOL!! that's too funny!!! I can't stand Bono and his hypocrisy...he was just here yammering away with our PM etc. Who give a flying crap what Bono says. He shopped around to find the place to set his assets and not pay taxes in Ireland yet whinges about social programmes and lack of $$ being spent... I can't stand him. And I've always heard for decades what a dipshit Van Morrison can be with fans and basically everyone..lol..

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

Yes, Van is famous for doing what he wants rather than what the fans want. It's one of the reasons I haven't bought his albums since the mid-1990s. But if it's part of why he is such an original songwriter and performer, I wouldn't have wanted him to handle it differently.