Joan Morrissey
Promotional Photo
Background information
Birth name	Joan Learning
Born	(1935-01-23)January 23, 1935
Origin	Dominion of Newfoundland
Died	January 10, 1978(1978-01-10) (aged 42)
Genres	Folk, traditional, country, Irish
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	Early 1960s–1978
Website	www.joanmorrissey.com

Joan Morrissey was a Newfoundland-Canadian singer.

Born in St. John's, Newfoundland on January 23, 1935, she was one of ten children. Entering the workforce at only thirteen years of age, she quickly moved up in the music industry of her home province of Newfoundland. Starting in the early 1960s, she began her career as a singer hosting and singing on local radio programs on CJON, VOCM, and CBC Radio.

Death

Though the events that culminated in her suicide are not certain, Joan had undergone open heart surgery in October 1977 which left scarring on her chest and legs. It was subsequently reported that she had been severely depressed since her operation and took her own life on January 10, 1978, at her home in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. ^{[1] [2]}

Acclaim

With the success of her fourth album, "Home Brew" selling 50,000 copies, and reaching gold status, Joan received honorary awards from the Newfoundland Easter Seals, followed in 1972 by a Juno nomination. As well in the same year she was awarded Newfoundland's Musical Ambassador of Good Will by the Provincial Government. ^[3] Many her of songs are an homage to Newfoundland lifestyle and are still heard on Canadian radio stations today. Some of her most notable songs include "Thank God We're Surrounded by Water", and "CN Bus". A recently published biography, Yes My Dear..., was nominated for the 2005 Heritage and History Award for Newfoundland and Labrador. ^[4]

Discography

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Footnotes

External links

• Yes My Dear... The Life and Times of Joan Morrissey
• Joan Morrissey – Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, v. 3, p. 627