Te Papaiouru marae will resonate with tributes to Sir Howard Morrison today as local entertainers pay their respects before his funeral tomorrow.
Morrison whanau spokesman Monty Morrison said entertainers including Frankie Stevens, Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross and Russell Harrison would sing at 2pm today.
He said a karakia would be held at 7pm followed by a late evening performance on a floodlit stage on the marae by Te Arawa kapa haka pairs.
Crowds began gathering at the marae at the weekend to mourn the passing of Sir Howard last Thursday. Wave upon wave of people, numbering well over 1000 yesterday, continued to arrive at Te Arawa's premier marae on Lake Rotorua's waterfront.
Among them was Wi Wharekura, the only surviving member of the original Howard Morrison Quartet.
Mr Wharekura, who had travelled from his home on the Australian Gold Coast, had a friendly dig at his longtime mate.
He said story had it that Sir Howard kept one eye on the road and the other on himself in his rear sight mirror as he was driving. Or he'd take over from the car radio.
"You'd be listening to the radio and Louis Armstrong would come on and he'd turn it off and do it himself," said Mr Wharekura.
"If it was Sammy Davis Jnr he would switch him off too ... he was the best of the best and the thing is that he told himself that he was.
"People would ask me what kind of a fella was he when he was young and I'd say he was a bloody pain in the arse! He was brimming with self confidence. He once said he had a fan club and it only had one member, 'me"'.
Mr Wharekura said he was approached by Sir Howard to join his troupe in 1957.
The would-be schoolteacher was in two minds until he heard he would be paid £350 ($700) a week and have all his expenses paid for the year. "I just said, 'Okay, mate where do I sign?"'
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said the entertainer had characteristics most politicians would love to have.
"He was popular," said Mr English to great laughter.
About 5000 people are expected at tomorrow's service for Sir Howard.
Mr Morrison said large television screens would be placed near the marae for those without access.
After a public ecumenical service in front of Tamatekapua, his casket will be taken to St Faith's Church in front of the marae for a brief period of prayer by whanau and invited guests.
Sir Howard will buried on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha.
Morrison whanau spokesman Monty Morrison said entertainers including Frankie Stevens, Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross and Russell Harrison would sing at 2pm today.
He said a karakia would be held at 7pm followed by a late evening performance on a floodlit stage on the marae by Te Arawa kapa haka pairs.
Crowds began gathering at the marae at the weekend to mourn the passing of Sir Howard last Thursday. Wave upon wave of people, numbering well over 1000 yesterday, continued to arrive at Te Arawa's premier marae on Lake Rotorua's waterfront.
Among them was Wi Wharekura, the only surviving member of the original Howard Morrison Quartet.
Mr Wharekura, who had travelled from his home on the Australian Gold Coast, had a friendly dig at his longtime mate.
He said story had it that Sir Howard kept one eye on the road and the other on himself in his rear sight mirror as he was driving. Or he'd take over from the car radio.
"You'd be listening to the radio and Louis Armstrong would come on and he'd turn it off and do it himself," said Mr Wharekura.
"If it was Sammy Davis Jnr he would switch him off too ... he was the best of the best and the thing is that he told himself that he was.
"People would ask me what kind of a fella was he when he was young and I'd say he was a bloody pain in the arse! He was brimming with self confidence. He once said he had a fan club and it only had one member, 'me"'.
Mr Wharekura said he was approached by Sir Howard to join his troupe in 1957.
The would-be schoolteacher was in two minds until he heard he would be paid £350 ($700) a week and have all his expenses paid for the year. "I just said, 'Okay, mate where do I sign?"'
Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said the entertainer had characteristics most politicians would love to have.
"He was popular," said Mr English to great laughter.
About 5000 people are expected at tomorrow's service for Sir Howard.
Mr Morrison said large television screens would be placed near the marae for those without access.
After a public ecumenical service in front of Tamatekapua, his casket will be taken to St Faith's Church in front of the marae for a brief period of prayer by whanau and invited guests.
Sir Howard will buried on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha.
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