Guide to the Programs and related material regarding Rolf Harris, 1964-2013

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Summary

Collection number:

Harris

Extent:

40 items

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.

Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.

Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]

Availability:

Available

Background

Content Summary:

Rolf Harris (born 30 March 1930) is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality. This finding aid lists programs and ephemera which document all aspects of Rolf Harris's performing career in Australia and overseas. Material on his film and television screen career is not generally collected by the Library.

Printed materials in the PROMPT collection include programs and printed ephemera such as brochures, leaflets, tickets, etc. Theatre programs are taken as the prime documentary evidence of a performance by Harris. In a few cases however, the only evidence of a performance is a piece of printed ephemera. In these cases the type of piece is identified, eg, brochure.

The list is based on imperfect holdings and is updated as gaps in the Library's holdings for this artist are filled. Unless otherwise stated, all entries are based on published programs in the PROMPT collection.

Biographical / Historical:

Rolf Harris was educated at Bassendean State School, Perth Modern School and then attended the University of Western Australia and Claremont Teachers College where he studied teaching. In 1952, Harris moved to London to study visual art at the City and Guild Arts School in Kensington and in 1956 he exhibited his artworks at the Royal Academy of Art in London. It was during this period that he met with renowned artist Bill Hayward Veal who inspired him and assisted him develop his artistic craft. In 1959 Harris began his career in children's television after moving back to Australia for a brief period. He returned to England in 1960 with his wife Alwen (nee Hughes) whom he married in 1958. In the same year he wrote Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, the song that would bring him international fame. Harris hosted a number of successful programs in the UK including Hey Presto, It's Rolf and The Rolf Harris Show. In 1973 he was one of the first performers to appear at the Sydney Opera House. Maintaining a distinctively Australian character in his television and live stage performances, Harris played numerous instruments including the accordion, wobble board and stylophone, an electronic keyboard played with an electronic pencil. Harris also painted for his audiences and became famous for his cartoon illustrations. He wrote numerous successful hits, many of them comic, including the songs Jake the Peg, Two Little Boys, and Six White Boomers. Throughout the 1970s and 80s Harris remained a popular television personality hosting variety and children's shows on the BBC. Harris continued to record throughout the 1980s and 90s and his version of the Led Zeppelin song Stairway to Heaven became an international success. He continued to exhibit his artwork and remained a well-known television personality. In 1994 Harris launched Animal Hospital on BBC television, which aired for ten years. Harris has released numerous books and videos on art and animals and has also published a range of children's books and an autobiography. He is renowned for his charitable works and has assisted numerous causes. Harris has received many honours throughout his career and is recognised as one of Australia's most successful entertainers.

Arrangement:

The Harris material in the PROMPT Collection is in the chronological order of his Australian and overseas performances and this list reflects this arrangement.

Entries identify the city and the venue. All the information is taken from programs, flyers and ephemera. Entries for each program are arranged as follows: Venue/Theatre (Location); company; name of production/creator; year, day/s and month; harris's role or other involvement.

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