Born Jennifer Patricia Morris on 29 September 1956 at Hamilton, New Zealand. Her first gig was at Andersons Theatre Restaurant at Hamilton, New Zealand. Performing Carol King, James Taylor and a few of her own songs at 15, wearing blue embroidered kaftan as Jenny Morris.
A member of The Wide Mouthed Frogs all female group. Who could imagine a lovely teacher of former New Zealand would become successful recording artists selling a total of 500,000, including multi-platinum album. Won Best Female ARIA Awards in 1987 and 1988. Tour with INXS, Prince, Tear For Fears, Paul McCartney, Dave Dobbyn.
In The Beginning
Singer with How's Your Father, were finalists in the 'National Battle of the Bands'. Lineup were vocals, guitar Jenny Morris, guitarist Stephen Stratford, lead guitarist Co Tipping, bassist Peter White, drummer John Schilt. At the same time a band call Blert formed by Bruno Lawrence in 1971, they had various lineup changes from 1972, 1973 and 1975, the band were disbanded in 1977.
After How's Your Father her next band was The Wide Mouthed Frogs all female group formed in Wellington, New Zealand. Lineup were lead vocals Kate Brockie, vocals Jenny Morris, guitarist Andrea Gilkison, keyboards Bronwyn Murray, bassist Tina Matthews and drummer Sally Zwartz.
Bruno Lawrence was expressed by Jenny Morris from The Wide Mouthed Frogs, he would performed on various tour, Peter Dasent guide them. The band last performances at Sweetwaters Festival after this event the band disbaned.
Fane Flaws, Tony Backhouse, Patrick Bleakley formed Spats in 1979. Lineup were vocals, guitarist Fane Flaws, guitarist Tony Backhouse, bassist Patrick Bleakley, keyboards Peter Dasent, backup vocalist Julie Needham, drummer Steve Garden stayed for six months and was replaced by Bruno Lawrence.
Spats rename themselves as The Crocodiles and featured 2 members from The Wide Mouthed Frogs all girl's group. Lineup were lead vocalist Jenny Morris (ex-The Wide Mouthed Frogs, ex-How's Your Father), guitarist Tony Backhouse, guitarist, vocals Fane Flaws (ex-Spats, ex-Blert), bassist Tina Matthews (ex-The Wide Mouthed Frogs), keyboards Peter Dasent (ex-Spats) and drummer Bruno Lawrence (ex-Spats, ex-Blert).
The Crocodiles
The Crocodiles established herself as success singer, the band had some members from Blert. Released Tears album and single both reached # 17 on national charts. Won Best Group, Most Promising Group and Song of the Year "Tears" by Recording Industry Awards in New Zealand. Released Looking At Ourselves album was produced by Charles Fisher. Featured "Everywhere I Go" later re-recorded by QED. The band performed "Call Me" at Sweetwaters Festival in 1981. The Crocodiles new members were guitarist Rick Morris, bassist Jonathon Swartz and drummer Barton Price and were re-relocated themselves to Australia.
Barton Price joined Models and remain with them until 1988. Departed the band and began a solo career. Formed QED with Rex Goh and Ian Belton. Released Animal Magic album features a re-recorded version of "Everywhere I Go" originally recorded by The Crocodiles and was produced by Mark Moffatt and Ricky Fataar.
QED performed at Narara Music Festival 1984. Performed for Endeavour Rock concert at Cronulla with Machination, Do Re Mi. Performed for Rock 'n' Roll Fair at St Ives Showground with Split Enz, The Church, Hoodoo Gurus, The Johnnys, Sandii & The Sunset. Host of Countdown and performed "Everywhere I Go" live in the studio on 1 April 1984.
Solo Artist
First single was "Puberty Blues", released with Mushroom Records from the movie soundtrack. Followed by second single was "Little By Little", a Dusty Springfield song, released with EMI Records. INXS - Dekadance Cassette featured "Jackson" a duet with Michael Hutchence, reach Australian music chart at #2.
Backing vocals on albums like I Am Joe's Music, Models - The Pleasure Of Your Company, Dropbears 12 inch Proud originally released as "Untited", D.D. Smash - The Optimist. Member of The Party Boys in New Zealand. As backing vocals for INXS Worldwide 'Listen Like Thieves' Tour kick off at Sydney Entertainment Center on 12 July 1985 and end at Festival Hall in Melbourne on 27 September 1986.
The Rock Party had musicians from Australia and New Zealand, a fundraising charity to help drug abuse and released "Everything To Live For" 12 inch single. Performed Body & Soul at the Countdown Awards in March 1987. Best Female Performance in Video You're Gonna Get Hurt. Performed "Jackson" with INXS at Final Countdown Awards. Best Female Performer in Juke Magazine Reader Poll 87. Released her first solo album Body & Soul in 1987, feaured "You I Know" a beautiful song by Neil Finn.
Won Best Female at the ARIA Awards in March 1988. Performed "She Has To Be Loved" at Ausmusic 89. Released her second album Shiver in 1989, went triple platinum in Australia, America and Europe.
Released her third album Honeychild, debuted at number five in the charts. "Break In The Weather" was co-written with brother Tam Morris. A cover version of "Tempted" by Squeeze, renamed themselves as UK Squeeze to avoid confuse with Australian and American group with the same name.
Julian Lennon and Jenny Morris performed "Saltwater" at ARIA Awards. Performed for Benefit Concert For Steve Gilpin at Hordern Pavilion. Performed for The Concert For Life with INXS, Diesel, Kate Ceberano, Crowed House, Ratcat, Yothu Yndi, Def FX, Richard Clapton, Jon Stevens at Centennial Park. A compilation album The Best of Jenny Morris was produced by Michael Hutchence. Featured "Jackson" taken from INXS - Dekadance Australian version, re-recorded version of "She Has To Be Loved", "Tears" first single by The Crocodiles.
Released her fourth album Salvation Jane in 1994, which failed to match the success of previous and was her last effort. It featured "In Too Deep", it was re-recorded by Belinda Carlisle in 1996. Appeared on Water Rats as Marlene O'Brien, a lead vocalists in a blues band in 1997. Performed for Good Vibration A Concert For Mac Hunter at Selinas, recorded "In Too Deep" and "Ozambezi" appear on Good Vibration CD with various artists. Was elected director of APRA for second term.
Appeared on SBS "Mum's the Word" and sang "Little Little". Performed for Tapestry - The Songs of Carole King with Jodi Phillis, Karma County, Vika and Linda Bull in 2001. Inducted INXS into ARIA Hall Of Fame in Sydney, not be confuse with ARIA Icons that was established in 2005.
Jan Williamson painting of Jenny Morris enterd Archibald exhibition, won the People’s Choice on 15 May 2002. Released her fifth album Hit & Myth on 23 September 2002, slice of funk–folk–fused melodies. Appears in movie Finding Joy cast Raffi, Billie Dean (Joy Brown), Andrew Einspruch (Peter Wolfman), Janet Watson Kruse (Tessa), Rebecca Barratt (Sally), Todd Dwyer (Matt), Cameron McAuliffe (Nick), Angry Anderson (Kris Quaid) and Jenny Morris (Tracey). Performed for The Strangers In The Night Tour with Daryl Braithwaite and James Rayne at Canberra Theatre.
Become a Australian citizen at NSW on 26 January 2003 Australia Day. Performed at Port Fairy's 27th Annual Folk Festival that featured Archie Roach, Spectrum, The Waifs, John Williamson and the list goes on. A compilation album Listen: The Very Best Of on 16 April 2004, a repackaged with new artwork with bonus track.
Released Alive DVD and CD was recorded at The Basement in Sydney 2005. Performed for Jenny Morris & Friends Benefit Concert with Mark Lizotte, Troy Cassar-Daley, Abby Dobson, Rob Hirst, Beccy Cole, James Blundell, Tim Freedman and Rick Wakeman (Yes) at The Basement in August.
Released her seventh album Clear Blue In Stormy Skies on 24 June 2006, a fresh recording of "Everywhere I Go", "Break In The Weather", "She Has To Be Loved", "Little Little" instrumental re-arrangement, "This Time" a tribute to friend Michael Hutchence. In the same year she attended International Day Of People With A DisAbility at The Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre.
Attended APRA / AMCOS Director Elections in November 2007, decided to stand for re-election and was returned as Writer Director. Followed by the Song Summit Sydney S3 in April 2008, at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. Performed "Break In Weather" on RocKwiz, "It's Only Natural" a duet with Don McGlashan, released as CD single on 23 October 2009.
OAM
Received Australian of the Year Award on 26 January 2010, held on the lawns of Parliament House Canberra. The Australians of the Year plaques can be find on the foreshores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra designed by the National Capital Authority. The Australians of the Year Walk incorporated in the pathway are five metal strips set flush in the concrete, representing the five music stave lines to the score of Advance Australia Fair.
(Tony Senatore composed this document. 1998-2010)