Known as ‘Britain’s Wild Man of Rock’, Willie has topped the bill all over the world and performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent and Sir Cliff Richard. Ian Dury named checked him on his hit song ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’ that was released on 20 July 1979 and reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart (see below).
Birthplace of British Rock ‘n’ Roll
Willie became the resident pianist at that 2i’s Coffee Bar in Soho where British rock ’n’ roll began. Cliff Richard, Johnny Kidd, Adam Faith, Hank Marvin, Terry Dene and Screaming Lord Sutch all played there.
He was 5ft 2ins tall, had wild hair and wore a draped jacket many sizes too big for him, tight drainpipe trousers, and a huge polka-dot bow tie.
Maison Louis Kennington Road
Local boy Willie, real name Charles William Harris, grew up in Bermondsey, living just around the corner from Tommy Steele. It was his management suggestion to dye his hair, as a way to get his break. Willie agreed and was dispatched to Maison Louis at 115 Kennington Road (now City Dry Cleaners) to have his hair dyed Pink. He got his break at a gig compared by Des O’Connor at the Davis Davis Theatre in South Croydon.
On stage Des said “We’ve got a funny looking lad who wants to come on and sing two or three numbers for us. They call him Wee Willie Harris. Shall we bring him on?” So I’m behind the curtains and I start singing “Hello everybody…” with two spotlights on the stage looking for me. “Gonna tell Aunt Mary about Uncle Joe…” I came out on stage and sang
Wee Will Harris in an Interview with Tales from the Woods Feb 2018
three numbers and they wanted more. I was so nervous I was singing some of the numbers with my eyes closed, I was terrified. I took two or three bows and then came off. What a state I was in but, little did I know, it was all fixed. The Six Five Special people and News Of The World were there in the audience and had been tipped off to see me. That’s when it all started happening.
Willie tells his own story in the feature-length documentary Wee Willie Harris Still Rocking (2012) (from 49:00 to 57:10)
The legend continues
He was to become an overnight sensation on Britain’s first TV pop programme Six-Five Special. produced by the dynamic Jack Good. His appearances on the show led to concerns being expressed in the media about the BBC’s role in “promoting teenage decadence”.
His debut single, the self-penned “Rockin’ At the 2 I’s“, was released on the Decca label in December 1957.
He is featured in the National Portrait Gallery.
Still rocking..
Reasons to be cheerful part 3 One, two, three Reasons to be cheerful part three Health service glasses Gigolos and brasses Round or skinny bottoms Take your mum to Paris Lighting up a chalice Wee Willy Harris Reasons to Be Cheerful, Pt. 3 - By Ian Dury, The Blockheads
When The Who & Rod Stewart rocked the Oval(Opens in a new browser tab)
When the Pink Floyd came to Kennington Park(Opens in a new browser tab)
