Wee Willie Harris

Charles William Harris (25 March 1933 – 27 April 2023), better known by his stage name of Wee Willie Harris, was an English rock and roll singer. He is best known for his energetic stage shows and TV performances starting in the 1950s, when he was known as "Britain's wild man of rock 'n' roll".

Life and career Born in Bermondsey, Harris left his job at a Peek Freans bakery in London to start his music career. He began performing at The 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho, London, and in tribute to Little Richard. His debut single, the self-penned "Rockin' At the 2 I's", was released on the Decca label in December 1957, and was followed by several others, although none reached the UK Singles Chart. Another critic wrote that: "He gyrates like an exploding Catherine wheel, emitting growls, squeals and what sounds like severe hiccupping". Paul McCartney and John Lennon reportedly queued for his autograph when he played in Liverpool in 1958.

In May 1960, he joined a tour of the UK featuring Conway Twitty, Freddy Cannon, and Johnny Preston. Harris later recorded an album dedicated to Dury, Twenty Reasons To Be Cheerful (2000), and his early recordings were released on CD in 1999. In 2011, he was interviewed by Melvyn Bragg as part of the series Reel History of Britain, talking about rock and roll in Britain.

Rollercoaster Records published I Go Ape! - The Wee Willie Harris Story by Rob Finnis, an 88-page illustrated biography accompanied by a 30-track CD, featuring the best of Harris's rock and roll recordings, in 2018.

Wee Willie Harris died on 27 April 2023, at age 90.

Discography Singles "Rockin' At The 2 I's" / "Back To School Again" (Decca, 1957) "Love Bug Crawl" / "Rosie Lee" (Decca, 1958) "Got A Match" / "No Chemise, Please!" (Decca, 1958) "Wild One" / "Little Bitty Girl" (Decca, 1960) "You Must Be Joking" / "Better To Have Loved" (His Master's Voice, 1963) "Listen to the River Roll Along" / "Try Moving Baby" (Polydor, 1966) "Someone's in the Kitchen With Diana" / "Walk With Peter And Paul" (Parlophone, 1966) "Together" / "Rock 'n' Roll Jamboree" (Decca, 1974)

EPs Rocking With Wee Willie (Decca, 1958) I Go Ape (Arton, 1960)

Albums I Go Ape (Arton, 1962) Wee Willie Harris Goes Ape (Ace 178, 1986) Twenty Reasons To Be Cheerful (Fury, 2000) Rag Moppin (Pollytone, 2003) I Go Ape - Rockin' With Wee Willie Harris (Rollercoaster, 2018)