Rolf Harris
Born	30 March 1930 (1930-03-30) (age 77) Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Spouse(s)	Alwen Hughes (1958-present)

Rolf Harris, MBE (1968), OBE (1977), CBE (2006), AM (1989) (born 30 March 1930), is an Australian musician, composer, painter, and television host. Image File history File links RolfHarris. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Location of Perth within Australia This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross... The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand Cross... Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Australia. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... A composer is a person who writes music. ... Painting by Rembrandt self-portrait Detail from Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez, in which the painter portrayed himself at work For the computer graphics program, see Corel Painter. ... A television presenter is a British term for a person who is known for introducing or hosting television programmes. ...

Named after Rolf Boldrewood, an Australian writer his mother admired, he was born in Bassendean, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, Australia, to Cromwell ("Crom") Harris and Agnes Margaret Harris (née Robbins) who had emigrated from Wales. He is the nephew of Australian artist Pixie O'Harris, (1903-1991); i.e., Rhona Olive Pratt, née Harris. Rolf Boldrewood (August 6, 1826 -March 11, 1915) was a novelist, best known for his novel Robbery Under Arms. ... The Town of Bassendean is a Local Government Area of Western Australia, located in the Perth metropolitan area some seven kilometers east of the CBD. The Town of Bassendean maintains 97 km of roads, and has a population of 13,362. ... Location of Perth within Australia This article is about the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2005-06)  - Product ($m)  $107,910 (4th)  - Product per capita  $53,134/person... This article is about the country. ... Pixie OHarris, (born Rhona Olive Harris) (October 15, 1903 Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia April 17, 1991), MBE (1976), Queens Coronation Medal (1953), Queens Silver Jubilee Medal (1977), Australian artist, newspaper, magazine and book illustrator, author, broadcaster, caricaturist and cartoonist, designer of book...

Harris attended Perth Modern School in Subiaco, and the University of Western Australia. Perth Modern School is a public secondary school and Government selective school in the Perth suburb of Subiaco in Western Australia. ... The City of Subiaco is a Local Government Area of Western Australia. ... The University of Western Australia (UWA) is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia. ...

As an adolescent and young adult Harris was a champion swimmer being the Australian Junior 110 yards Backstroke Champion in 1946 and Western Australian state champion over a variety of distances and strokes during the period 1948–1952.

He met his wife, the Welsh sculptress and jeweller Alwen Hughes, while they were both art students, and they married on 1 March 1958. They have one daughter, Bindi Harris (born 10 March 1964), who studied art at Bristol Polytechnic and is now a painter. is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year (70th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...

Music and art

Harris had experience in Perth on television in its early years, with his rapid drawing style and flair for amusing entertainment.

He moved to England as an art student at City and Guilds Arts School, Kennington, South London at the age of 22, notably illustrating Robert Harbin's Paper Magic (1956). For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Kennington is an area of south London, situated within the London Borough of Lambeth. ... South London area South London (known colloquially as South of the River) is the area of London south of the River Thames. ... Robert Harbin (born Ned Williams in South Africa) (1908 - January 12, 1978) was a British magician and writer. ...

He returned to Perth after art school and was involved in children's television shows. Some years later he returned to the United Kingdom to live. He has regularly returned to Perth over the years for family visits.

Harris has been credited with inventing a simple homemade instrument called the wobble board. This discovery was accidentally made in the course of his work when he attempted to dry a freshly painted hardboard with added heat, from hearing the sound made by the board as he held the board by the short edges to cool off. He suggests the effect can best be obtained through faint bouncing of a tempered hardboard or a thinner MDF board between the palms of one's hands. For the fitness device, see Wobble board (exercise). ... Medium-density fiberboard output in 2005 Medium-density fiberboard (MDF or MDFB) is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibers, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and resin, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. ...

"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport"

In 1959 he worked on TVW-7's first locally produced show Spotlight. During his time at TVW he recorded his hit "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport". The song was recorded on a single microphone placed above him in the TV studio. The song was sent to record company EMI in Sydney and it was soon released as a record. The novelty song was originally titled "Kangalypso" and featured the distinctive sound of the "wobble board" which was played by "wobbling" it back and forth. The original recording of the song issued in Australia was considered controversial by some listeners because of the lyrics: "Let me abos go loose, Lew^[1]/ Let me abos go loose/ They're of no further use, Lew/ So let me abos go loose". The verse appears to refer to Aboriginal servitude and captivity in a whimsically approving manner. In addition, the word "abo" was beginning to be seen as a term of abuse at the time. Most of the rest of the song refers to animals in captivity. The offending verse did not feature in later versions of the song. In 2006 Harris expressed his regret about the original lyrics.^[2] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is a song written by Rolf Harris in 1957 which became a hit across the world in the 1960s. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... TVW-7 is a television station broadcasting in Perth, Australia, wholly owned by the Seven Network. ... Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is a song written by Rolf Harris in 1957 which became a hit across the world in the 1960s. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... Language(s) Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol Religion(s) Primarily Christian, with minorities of other religions including various forms of Traditional belief systems based around the Dreamtime Related ethnic groups see List of Indigenous Australian group...

Harris sang "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" (with The Beatles singing backing vocals) in the first edition of the From Us To You BBC radio shows, in December, 1963.^[3] Harris completely customized the original lyrics to a version that was especially written for The Beatles: The White Album, see The Beatles (album). ... From Me to You is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles as a single in 1963. ...

"Cut yer hair once a year boys"

"Don't ill-treat me pet dingo, Ringo"

"George’s guitar is on the blink, I think"

"Prop me up by the wall, Paul"

"Keep the hits coming on, John"

Harris went on to use an array of unusual instruments in his music, including the didgeridoo (the sound of which was imitated on "Sun Arise" by four double basses), Jew's harp and, later, the stylophone. Harris has played the didgeridoo on two albums by English pop singer Kate Bush, 1982's The Dreaming and 2005's Aerial. His biggest hit, however, was a gimmick-free rendering of the sentimental song "Two Little Boys" (1969), a departure for him in that he usually recorded either his own compositions or traditional songs. Harris also created one of his most famous roles in the 1960s, Jake the Peg. A didgeridoo. ... Side and front views of a modern double bass with a French bow. ... Jews harp, from an American Civil War camp near Winchester, Virginia A modern jews harp A metal Jews harp (demir-xomus) from Tuva The Jews harp, jaw harp, or mouth harp is thought to be one of the oldest musical instruments in the world; a musician... The Dubreq Stylophone was a miniature electronic musical instrument invented in 1967 by Brian Jarvis. ... Kate Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. ... The Dreaming is the fourth album by Kate Bush. ... Kate Bushs eighth studio album, Aerial, is a two-disc set released on November 7, 2005. ... Sentiment can refer to: feelings and emotions the literary device sentimentality, which is used to induce an emotional response disproportionate to the situation, and thus to substitute heightened and generally unthinking feeling for normal ethical and intellectual judgment an eighteenth century literary genre called the sentimental novel This is a... Jake the Peg, back in the 1960s Jake the Peg was a fictional three-legged man, played by Rolf Harris in the 1960s. ...

He also made several television appearances in which he would paint pictures on large boards in an apparently slapdash manner, with the odd nonsense song thrown in, but with detailed results. These led to a string of TV series based on his artistic ability, notably Rolf Harris's Cartoon Time on CBBC in the 1980s and Rolf's Cartoon Club on CITV in the early 1990s. He also hosted a successful variety TV series in Canada, which was a second home to Harris during the 1960s. In 1967 he hosted the BBC's A Song for Europe contest and provided UK commentary at that year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Current CBBC Logo CBBC - short for Childrens BBC - is the brand-name for the BBCs childrens television programmes aimed at children aged between 6 and 12 years old. ... This article is about ITVs childrens television brand. ... A Song for Europe can mean: * A former name of the British national pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, which is currently called Making Your Mind Up. ... Eurovision redirects here. ...

In 2000 Harris, along with Steve Lima released a dance track called "Fine Day" which entered the top 30 in the UK charts at that time. A 'Killie-themed' version has been recorded and scheduled for release in March 2007 to coincide with the Scottish football club's appearance in the Scottish League Cup final after the song was adopted by the fans in 2003^[4] Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. ... The Scottish Football League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. ...

In November and December of 2002, under Charles Saumarez Smith's direction, London's National Gallery exhibited a collection of Harris's art.[2] He was also commissioned to paint a portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II for her 80th birthday, which was unveiled on 19th December 2005.^[5]

In 2007, he made an uncredited appearance on the Shayne Ward single, "If That's Ok with You", singing the heavily treated title-line at the beginning of and throughout the track. Shayne Thomas Ward (born 16 October 1984 in Clayton, Manchester) is a British pop singer of Irish background, who rose to prominence in the UK and Ireland after becoming the winner of the 2005 series of the talent show The X Factor. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ...

1982 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

Matilda, the winking kangaroo was the mascot for the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. When Matilda arrived at the stadium, she 'winked' to the crowd as she went around the stadium track — then her 'pouch' opened and several young children (about 5 years old to 7 years old), dressed as joey kangaroos, rushed out (then ran to — and jumped on — a number of trampolines which had been set up especially for them). Species Macropus rufus Macropus giganteus Macropus fuliginosus Macropus antilopinus A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae (macropods, meaning large foot). In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, the Red Kangaroo, the Antilopine Kangaroo, and the Eastern and Western Grey Kangaroo... Millie, once mascot of the City of Brampton, is now the Brampton Arts Councils representative. ... The music soundtrack of the Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane, Queensland — (Audio tape cover). ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... For other uses, see Trampoline (disambiguation). ...

Harris, who was standing, complete with wobble board, at the back of a small truck, then sang a special rendition of his hit song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", which included some lyrics especially written for the Opening Ceremony: For the fitness device, see Wobble board (exercise). ... Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport is a song written by Rolf Harris in 1957 which became a hit across the world in the 1960s. ...

Let me welcome you to the Games, friends,

Welcome you to the Games

Look, I don't know all of your names, friends,

But let me welcome you to the Games.

Following his singing of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", Harris sang "Waltzing Matilda". Waltzing Matilda is usually sung in informal settings, but it was played with a 90 piece orchestra and the 100 voice Melbourne Chorale at the 2005 Classical Spectacular Waltzing Matilda is Australias most widely known folk song, and one that has been popularly suggested as a potential national anthem. ...

As well as a video tape recording of the Opening Ceremony being released, the music for the Opening Ceremony was released as an album and an audio tape, with Harris as one of the featured artists.

"Stairway to Heaven"

The Money or the Gun
"Stairways to Heaven"
— 25 versions of the song (video tape includes the version by Rolf Harris)

Harris' career received a boost in 1993 when his cover version of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" became a hit, reaching number 7 of the UK singles chart. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (452x707, 61 KB)This is a video tape cover for The Money or the Gun Licensing This image is of a videotape cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the videotape or the... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (452x707, 61 KB)This is a video tape cover for The Money or the Gun Licensing This image is of a videotape cover, and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the videotape or the... The Money or the Gun was an Australian comedy / talk-show on the ABC network in 1989-1990, with occasional specials until 1994. ... // In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... For the bands 1969 eponymous debut album, see Led Zeppelin (album). ... For other uses of Stairway to Heaven, see Stairway to Heaven (disambiguation). ... “British Hit Singles” redirects here. ...

Rolf Harris originally performed the song, live, during an appearance on the television comedy show The Money or the Gun. Harris' version of the song recreated the song in the style of "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport", complete with wobble board and didgeridoo solos. The Money or the Gun was an Australian comedy / talk-show on the ABC network in 1989-1990, with occasional specials until 1994. ...

It is important to note that, although he had the sheet music, Harris claims that he had not heard the original version when he recorded his; as such, he disavows any claim that his version was intended to be irreverent or humorous^[6].

Harris' version was one of 28 versions of the song performed on the show — and his version is one of the 25 versions of the song which was released on the The Money or the Gun's Stairways to Heaven videotape and CD (Harris' single comes from the same recording of his version of the song).

Recordings and appearances

Harris also recorded a version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" around this time; unlike the tongue-in-cheek "Stairway to Heaven", "Bohemian Rhapsody" was performed relatively straight. He performed The Divinyls' "I Touch Myself" - accompanied only by his wobble board - for Andrew Denton's Musical Challenge on the MMM Breakfast Show, adding additional sexual innuendo to the song. This recording was released on the first Musical Challenge compilation album in 2000. Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May, singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor, with bassist John Deacon joining the following year. ...   is a song written by Freddie Mercury and originally recorded by the band Queen for their 1975 album A Night at the Opera. ... Divinyls are an Australian rock music band. ... I Touch Myself is a 1990 pop rock song written by Christina Amphlett, Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg and Mark McEntee for Australian rock band Divinyls self titled album. ... Andrew Denton on the poster for his film God On My Side Andrew Christopher Denton (born May 4, 1960) is an Australian comedian and television presenter, and is the host of the ABCs weekly interview program Enough Rope. ... MMM can stand for: Million Man March - a 1995 event in Washington, DC, spearheaded by Louis Farrakhan. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ...

Later that year he made his first appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in what was seen as a novelty act. Reaction was so overwhelmingly positive that he is constantly requested to play the festival. He played it again in 1998, 2000 and 2002. The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or Glasto, is the largest[1] greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. ...

Television career

Harris has had a long career on British television, chiefly on the BBC. He was already a well-known face on television when The Rolf Harris Show first appeared in 1968, and throughout the 1970s and early 1980s this series in various formats remained a popular light-entertainment staple, latterly being broadcast on Saturday evenings as Rolf on Saturday OK? For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

However, he is probably best known to younger Britons as the host of the reality television programme Animal Hospital, which chronicled the real-life activity of a British veterinary practice. Rolf then adopted a Border Collie that had been abandoned at the vets, named Rocky. More recently, he presented Rolf on Art, which highlighted the work of some of his favourite artists, including van Gogh, Degas, Monet and Gauguin. It was successful enough to warrant a second series, and as of 2006, has made 5 series and several specials. // This article is about the genre of TV shows. ... Animal Hospital was a television show starring Rolf Harris that ran on the BBC from 1994 until 2004. ... Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. ... The Border Collie is a breed of herding dog that originated in the border country of England and Scotland. ... Rolf on Art is a successful British television series made by the BBC. It was hosted by Rolf Harris, the famous Australian television presenter. ... van Gogh redirects here. ... Edgar Degas (19 July 1834 – 27 September 1917), born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas (IPA ), was a French artist famous for his work in painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. ... Claude Monet also known as Oscar-Claude Monet or Claude Oscar Monet (November 14, 1840 – December 5, 1926)[1] was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movements philosophy of expressing ones perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein... Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a leading Post-Impressionist painter. ...

On 26 September 2004 Harris fronted a project to recreate John Constable's famous The Hay Wain painting on a massive scale, with 150 people contributing to a small section. Each individual canvas was assembled into the full picture live on the BBC, in the show Rolf on Art: The Big Event. is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A self portrait by John Constable John Constable (11 June 1776 – 31 March 1837) was an English Romantic painter. ... The Hay Wain is an oil on canvas painting by John Constable. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ...

He was named as one of the Radio Times list of the top 40 most eccentric TV presenters of all time in July 2004. Current Radio Times logo Radio Times is the BBCs weekly television and radio programme listings magazine. ...

On 19 December 2005, he unveiled a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace as part of her 80th birthday celebrations. In his words, it is an impressionistic rather than photographic depiction. Some commentators found it to be offensive and unbecoming of the Queen, but the Queen herself expressed her approval at the painting after her final sitting, particularly with the way in which Harris had painted her smile. The story of the painting featured as a special edition of Rolf on Art, broadcast on BBC 1 on 1 January 2006. is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ... See also Impressionist (entertainment): A girl with a watering can by Renoir, 1876 Impressionism was a 19th century art movement, which began as a private association of Paris-based artists who exhibited publicly in 1874. ... Lens and mounting of a large format camera Photography is the technique of recording and generating permanent images, by the capturing and preservation of physical stimulus-patterns on a layer of photosensitive material. ... BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest United Kingdom, and indeed, the world. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

He has also presented the BBC art program Star Portraits with Rolf Harris. Star Portraits with Rolf Harris was a BBC television series that has so far had 2 series. ...

On 15 July 2006, Harris appeared on the British TV programme Richard & Judy to promote the stopping of the Canadian seal hunt. On the show, he also sang his own song, which he had written after a trip to Canada called "Slaughter on the Ice". The team behind the TV show had given a demo of the song to many record companies in the UK, however a release has yet to follow. is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Richard & Judy is an afternoon magazine/talk-show in the UK presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. ... ...

Honours

Rolf Harris was created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) on 17 June 2006, having previously been created a Member (MBE) in 1968 and an Officer (OBE) in 1977. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions; in decreasing order of seniority, these are Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross (GBE) Knight Commander... is the 168th day of the year (169th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 26 January 1989, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) ^[7] Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Australia. ...

1975 - appointed King of Moomba^[8] Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the fictional creature Moomba from the final fantasy series, see http://en. ...

References

1. ^ This is how the line was quoted in a London newspaper. The original lyric is "Let me abos go loose, Bruce".
2. ^ Rolf sorry about racist lyrics
3. ^ Rolf Harris, the 5th Beatle
4. ^ "Fine Day"
5. ^ [1]
6. ^ As stated at his WOMAD appearance, Reading, 1998
7. ^ It's an Honour
8. ^ Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen (17 Feb 2006) Moomba: A festival for the people.: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/rsrc/PDFs/Moomba/History%20of%20Moomba.pdf PDF pp 17-22

External links

• The Official Rolf Harris Web Site
• Rolf Harris at the Internet Movie Database
• http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/55463 BFI Database: Rolf Harris
• Preview Fine Day (March 2007)
• The Rolf Harris Jukebox (Examples of Rolf Harris's music)
• Some examples of Rolf Harris's art
• Rolf Harris video performing "Slaughter On Ice" anti seal hunting song