Joan Morrissey - Newfoundland's First Lady of Song

Joan Morrissey was considered “Newfoundland’s First Lady of Song” and was one of the greatest entertainers of her generation. During her career she was involved in every aspect of show business and whether it was a singer, actress, or talk show host, she was well liked by her colleagues and by the Newfoundland public.

Joan was born on the Southside of St. John’s on January 27, 1933 to Kathleen and Charles Learning and was one of ten children. Although her career professionally started in 1959, at the age of nine Joan made her singing debut in 1944 on a radio show hosted by Bob McLeod, and it was said that she took the stage "like a duck to water". She received her early education in St.John’s and by the time she was 13 she entered the workforce. She was employed by Ayre’s Department store on Water Street, then Ayre’s Supermarket on Parade Street, followed by Knightville Snack Bar on Allandale Road.

In 1952, Joan married Thomas Morrissey at the age of 19 and together had six children; Debbie, Beverly, Colleen, Linda, Sherry and Tommy.

In the early sixties people became familiar with her voice on local radio programs on CJON, VOCM, and CBC. Joan was also a frequent guest on CBC television’s “All Around the Circle” and was host of CJON television’s "Talent Showcase" and “Newfoundland This A.M.” seen each weekday. Soon Joan became established as one of the leading local performers of country and western songs. Later on she sang and hosted on such TV shows as “Variety Showcase” and “Country Sound” and in a number of Christmas specials. She was also in demand for appearing in nightclubs around the island and with her brand of country and western along with traditional Newfoundland singing, she regularly filled them. She enjoyed to perform comical and parody songs, which poked fun at everyday life in Newfoundland. Some of these songs she wrote herself while others were written by Tom Cahill, some of those include the famous “CN Bus”, “The Mobile Goat” and “Thank God we’re Surrounded by Water”