Kenny Morris
Kenny Morris, born Kenneth Ian Morris on February 1, 1957, in Essex, United Kingdom, is an influential English drummer, songwriter, and visual artist. He is best known as the first studio drummer for the post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees, which he joined in January 1977 after being captivated by their performance at the 100 Club in London. Morris's drumming style, characterized by its unorthodox and tribal nature, significantly shaped the sound of the band and influenced many drummers of the post-punk era, including Stephen Morris of Joy Division and Kevin Haskins of Bauhaus.
Morris contributed to the recording of Siouxsie and the Banshees' first John Peel session in November 1977 and played on their albums "The Scream" (1978) and "Join Hands" (1979). His innovative approach to drumming, such as recording drums separately and incorporating echo effects, was noted for revolutionizing the band's sound. However, Morris left the band abruptly in September 1979, shortly before a concert in Aberdeen, due to a disagreement.
Before joining Siouxsie and the Banshees, Morris briefly played with the Flowers of Romance alongside Sid Vicious. He studied fine art and filmmaking at North East London Polytechnic and worked as an assistant on Derek Jarman's film "Jubilee" in 1977. After his departure from the band, Morris pursued a career in visual arts, creating art films and working as a drummer for other artists' live performances. He released a 12" vinyl record featuring spoken word performances and directed several short films.
In 1993, Morris moved to Ireland, where he taught art and ran an art gallery in Kildare Town. He continues to paint, draw, and sell his works online. As of 2024, Morris is preparing his autobiography, reflecting on his impactful career in music and the arts.