Rikki Morris’s musical history is rich and varied.
From the late 70’s to mid-eighties Morris worked as the live sound engineer for legendary NZ bands, Th’ Dudes, The Crocodiles, DD Smash, The Pink Flamingos and Brazier’s Legionnaires to name a few.
Joining The Crocodiles in 1980, Morris jumped the ditch to Australia and the UK where he cut his musical teeth playing in various bands.
In 1988 he wrote and released the No.1 hit ‘Nobody Else’ earning him Songwriter of the Year at the NZ Music Awards.
1990 saw Morris sign to Mushroom Records and relocate to the creative hub of Melbourne.
Winning the APRA Silver Scroll in 1991 for his top 20 hit ‘Heartbroke’ Morris then released his next successful single ‘I Can’t Give You Anything’ and made dozens of TV and radio appearances both in Australia and NZ.
His debut album ‘Everest’ produced by Eddie Rayner was released in 1996, which led to a tour support slot for Hootie and the Blowfish.
Morris set up his very own studio from 1998-2006. ‘The Bus’ recorded a plethora of bands and artists including Graham Brazier (East of Eden), Hammond Gamble (Recollection, 90 Mile Days), When The Cat's Away (Live in Paradise), as well as up-and-coming young bands like The Checks, The Veils, Electric Confectionaires, Gin Wigmore and White Birds & Lemons.
From 2010 Morris co-wrote several tracks with Matt Harvey from electronica outfit Concord Dawn. Their first single ‘Forever’ reached no. 8 on the NZ Electronica charts with the album being nominated for album of the year at the 2011 NZ Music Awards. Another single‘One Tear’ featured on Concord Dawn’s award winning 2012 album.
Morris sang on the Flight of the Conchords’ charity single 'Feel Inside (And Stuff Like That)' in, which topped the NZ charts for 5 weeks, selling over 35,000 copies. 2013 also saw him perform as principal vocalist in the latest Split Enz 'ENZO - Stranger Than Fiction' extravaganza.
In 2014 Morris formed two new bands The Eddie Rayner Project with Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner and High Wide & Handsome with Jackie Clarke & Chet O'Connell.
Currently working as a jingle writer for Merlot Place Media and Mediaworks, Morris still performs at corporate functions as well as his regular live sound engineering gigs for Gin Wigmore, The Bads, Lady Killers, Class of '58, Greg Johnson, Andrew Keoghan, Debbie Harwood, Hello Sailor and Nathan Haines amongst dozens of other top NZ bands and artists.