August 31st, 1945:  George Ivan was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. We know him as blue-eyed soul singer Van Morrison.

His first success came in 1965 as the lead singer of Them. The group broke up in late 1966 and the following summer, Brown Eyed Girl became Van Morrison’s first hit single.

Finally, in 1993 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

His 40th studio album was  released last year and Van goes on tour again starting in October.

Click on the link to hear Van Morrison’s 1971 hit Blue Money.