Van Morrison was famously reclusive, preferring to stay away from media attention and regularly declining interviews, discouraging many members of the media. Ritchie was a huge fan of Morrison’s music and continued to push for a meeting.

Ritchie befriended Van in 1974 and was one of the few media personalities to be granted interviews with the star. Beyond their professional relationship, Morrison also became a friend, even inviting Ritchie to visit his home for a game of tennis. Ritchie was able to utilise this relationship,  as well as his honesty and trustworthiness to have Van reveal more than ever before, and with this information and Van’s blessing, was able to create this biography.

This relationship also led Ritchie to become Van’s publicist for a short time during the promotion of Ritchie’s biography.

Ritchie’s friendship with Van Morrison lasted throughout the years, with the pair reconnecting many times over the years, including memorable shows at Massey Hall with mutual friend Ronnie Hawkins and his performance of Astral Weeks in Los Angeles. In fact, the last interview that Ritchie conducted was in October of 2016 with Van, who opened up to his friend a final time.