1964 – 1973 The first musical steps
So, in 1964, he puts together his first group, “The Thunders”. After that, in 1967, “The Hangmen”, with whom he begins to share public appearances at nice spots in Rio such as the Caiçaras and Canecāo.
In the same year, with Bob, Edu and Claudio, releases their first album, “The Hangmen”, with the GMD label.
In 1968, he goes to finish his studies in the United States, where he specializes in Acoustic Design.
In the late ‘60s, Morris enhances his musical input with new sound experiences. He has the opportunity to go see live performances of great artists such as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, José Feliciano, Richie Havens, and others, including the experience of watching some of the Woodstock Festival on August 1969.
In 1972, returns to Rio and opens, with his brother Norton, a little record store in Copacabana, specialized in records imported from the USA.
In the same year, he tries contacting many music producers and record companies which are not interested in his music, saying he should not bother to keep trying because he would never make it in the music business.
Morris does not give up and decides to produce two 45s, one in Portuguese and another one in English, even designing and creating his own label: “Charger Records”
He hires a freelance radio promoter who takes care of placing the records in most radio stations in the state, hoping that some of them would program it. In a very short while, important stations in Rio start playing the record in English many times a day, and the stores begin to ask for it. So, Morris has to press more records and constantly take them personally to each store in town.
In only three weeks, the 45 “Feel The Sunshine” becomes a hit in Rio and Sāo Paulo.
After a short time, the director of Radio Mundial in Rio arranges a meeting with some record labels. When finally, the first important recording contract happens, as an artist and producer, with Discos Beverly, Sāo Paulo.
Among the first records produced by Morris, there was the 45 of Peter McGreen with the song “Girl of the past“used as a theme in the Soap Opera “O casarāo”.
