The Rolf I remember with his paint pot
I grew up with Rolf Harris.
His variety shows with singing, strange instruments and, of course, huge paintings done with massive decorator paint brushes and emulsion executed to a running commentary that would always include the words:
“Can you tell what it is yet?”
And his wonderful Australian accent.
Rolf was and still is the epitome of enthusiasm, whatever his subject. He is also an extraordinarily gifted man when it comes to painting, even producing a fabulous portrait of the Queen.
Didgery doos, wobble boards, Animal Hospital, Rolf on Art, he has educated and guided us Brits for so many decades and been such an influence on my own childhood, I just have to wish him a Very Happy 80th Birthday! x
Hearing him interviewed on the radio at the weekend, as I lay in bed with Ruf, we both found ourselves singing along to ‘The Court of King Caractacus’ and I was reminded of Two Little Boys, Jake The Peg, Sun Arise and his more recent cover of Stairway to Heaven. Rolf maintains his youthful enthusiasm and the sheer joy of his pursuit of life is an inspiration to everyone. He was recounting how he hopes to be performing on stage for his fourth Glastonbury later this summer.
I’m amazed how Rolf became so famous over here…I think more UK people know of him than the Aussies do!
Yep, I grew up with him too – I thought he was wonderful!
Sx
Up until two years ago I did not know that Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport was controversial. The original fourth verse was a racial slur toward Aborigines. He subsequently removed the offending verse and apologized for it.
Happy Birthday, Rolf. He spent a number of years living in Vancouver, and his ‘Vancouver Town’ is extremely funny and a particular favorite of mine. I was once priveleged to spend a good half hour chatting with him backstage at a Vancouver club many years ago. He is as pleasant and personable in real life as he appears to be on stage.