Introduction
Huey Morgan is the frontman of rock/hip hop band Fun Lovin' Criminals. Morgan performs both vocals and guitar and combines rock, hip hop, jazz, reggae, and funk influences in his music. He also performs as a BBC Radio DJ, and has made film and TV appearances.
Early life
Morgan is American, born to Puerto Rican-American and Irish-American parents. In his youth he committed petty crimes and dealt cocaine, and was arrested for doing so, whilst driving a stolen car. The judge gave him the choice between going to jail or spending some time in the Marine Corps - Morgan chose to join the Marines. This is mentioned in the song The Grave And The Constant. It is possible that this is a made up story.
Morgan has long left his criminal past behind, noting that the name Fun Lovin' Criminals was chosen because he didn't want to hurt anyone and felt uneasy around those who did.
Music career
In 1993, Morgan formed Fun Lovin' Criminals with Brian Leiser and Steve Borgovini. They have released six studio albums, three of which made the top ten in the UK Albums Chart, and have scored eight top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart. In 2010 Morgan made a guest appearance in the music video of Plan B's single "Prayin'", and in 2012, collaborated with JetTricks on the track "See Us Through" from their "Better Than Real Life" album. Also, in 2012, Morgan released his début solo album Say It To My Face credited to Huey and the New Yorkers.
Appearances in other media
Writing
Morgan had a short-lived, ghost-written wine column for the British magazine Mondo from 2000 to 2001.
In June 2015, Huey Morgan released his first book "Rebel Heroes: The Renegades of Music & Why We Still Need Them".
Television
On television, Morgan has appeared on the UK comedy music quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks, three times as a guest panelist. In his most famous appearance, Morgan smashed a mug after becoming upset when needing to repeat lyrics from his songs in the next line round. Morgan also participated in the BBC's The Underdog Show, where eight celebrities trained and rehabilitated rescued dogs. He is also a frequent guest panelist on the UK Channel 5 morning show The Wright Stuff. Morgan also made a guest appearance in an episode of Skins as Toxic Bob, the owner of a metal record shop. In 2010 Morgan co-hosted Liza & Huey's Pet Nation on Sky One with Liza Tarbuck. Morgan also hosted Slips on the British music channel Viva. More recent work includes narration for National Geographic's epic series 'Drugs Inc', now in its 3rd series, voice overs for TV ads such as Blink Box and more. In 2015 Morgan began work on the Sky Arts show Guitar Stars, working with fellow DJ Edith Bowman, but left after the first series. On November 3, 2016, Morgan appeared as a panelist on the BBC Television political debate programme Question Time.
Film
Morgan starred in Clubbing to Death with Craig Charles, Nick Moran, Dave Courtney, and Deepak Verma.
Voice-over
Morgan did a voice-over for the video game Scarface: The World is Yours. He is the voice of National Geographic TV shows Drugs INC, and Underworld INC as well as narrating the two-part BBC television documentary "Blues America" in 2013, which can be seen on YouTube. In 2016 voiced a global advertising campaign for Lynx [Axe] deodorant.
Radio
On Sunday 5 October 2008 Morgan began hosting his own radio show, "The Huey Show" on BBC Radio 6 Music. The show won a Bronze Award at the 2009 Sony Radio Academy Awards. Since April 2011, Morgan has hosted his own show on BBC Radio 2 on Saturdays from midnight until 3am, replacing the show's previous host Mark Lamarr. The show was moved from 3am till 6am from October 2014, but was moved back to its original timeslot of midnight till 3am from Saturday 4 January 2017 until Saturday 25 March 2017 when he presented his final "After Midnight" show. Morgan now presents 2 new shows on Radio 2 from Saturday 1 April, from 5am, in 1 hour slots weekly on Saturdays and Sundays. His Saturday show is called "Huey's Finest Saturday Selection" which covers 1 hour of his favourite selections, and his Sunday show, "Huey's Sunday Best", covers Huey's favourite music from a chosen year of his choice. Morgan has also covered other presenters' absences on various shows. In 2013, "The Huey Show" was moved to Saturdays on BBC Radio 6 Music which airs from 10am till 1pm.
Other business ventures
Morgan previously co-owned The Voodoo Lounge, The Dice Bar and DiFontaine's Pizza Place in Dublin. Huey also opened Notting Hill Tattoo Studio, Love Hate Social Club with New York Tattoo Artist Ami James in November 2012.
Personal life
Morgan has previously lived in New York City, Dublin, Hawaii, London and now lives in Frome, Somerset in England.