Heart-broken rock legend, Van Morrison, took to the stage on Saturday night for the first time since the tragic deaths of Gigi Lee and child, George Ivan Morrison III.
The reclusive singer performed the first of three invitation-only concerts in the Culloden Estate Hotel in Belfast. There are conflicting reports that the proceeds of the show are in aid of local arts centre, The Lyric Theatre or for the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast where Gigi died last October. Van owns a home close to the 5-star Culloden Estate and is believed to be a supporter of The Lyric Theatre.
Fans of the singer forked out up to €2,400 per table for the shows which also take place tonight and tomorrow. Golfer Darren Clarke was among the black-tie crowd who took to his Twitter page to announce: "Just met Van...legend!! Felt very humbled!"
Gigi Lee died from throat cancer 12 weeks ago and Van's his youngest son died suddenly after slipping into a diabetic coma one year ago this month.
News of both deaths only emerged in recent weeks, sending shockwaves rippling through the music world. Gigi (44) died at the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast after moving from Texas and settling in Newtownards.
Van's lawyers had gone to court in an attempt to prevent reporting of details surrounding the youngster's death and other "private" material. At the hearing his legal team stated that Morrison still did not accept paternity of the baby.
At Christmas 2009, days after George was born, an announcement appeared on the singer's official website. The statement read: "Gigi and Van Morrison are proud to announce the birth of their first son, George Ivan Morrison III. 'Little Van', born December 28, 2009 - the spitting image of his daddy."
The message was quickly removed from the website and the singer branded it a hoax and claimed he didn't know anyone called Gigi Lee
However, within days a photograph of the star and Ms Lee together had emerged and it transpired that she was a director of several of his companies.
Image via
Wikipedia