In 1952, a young Australian stepped off a ferry in Dover with dreams of being a famous portrait painter like his grandfather. He could paint, play the piano, write songs, ride a bike with no hands and swim 110 metres backstroke in eighty seconds flat. If Rolf Harris seems to have been with us forever, that's because he has. After nearly fifty years on stage and screen, he
In 1952, a young Australian stepped off a ferry in Dover with dreams of being a famous portrait painter like his grandfather. He could paint, play the piano, write songs, ride a bike with no hands and swim 110 metres backstroke in eighty seconds flat. If Rolf Harris seems to have been with us forever, that's because he has. After nearly fifty years on stage and screen, he is one of the most loved, respected and enduring figures in British showbusiness. He was there at the very beginning of television in the UK and is still there now. And although he calls himself 'a lucky amateur', millions would disagree. We have grown up watching him draw cartoons, paint big pictures, wobble his board and talk to animals and their owners. Now, in his long overdue autobiography, Rolf Harris charts his rise from the dusty streets of Bassendean in Western Australia, to becoming a household name on both sides of the world. Along the way there are triumphs and disasters, revelations and regrets. He has worked with the likes of Tony Hancock and Woody Allen, jousted with John Lennon and had the Beatles singing 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' with their own lyrics. Thirty years later he was voted the most
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I never expected to enjoy this as much as I did. Rolf Harris' autobiography charts his life from the age of 3 living in a house in an area of scrubland just outside Perth, Australia, up to 2001, which was when this book was written. Rolf's house was built by his father - and in those days in Australia that meant literally built, stone (panel, nail) by stone out of whatever was available, adding rooms as soon as they could scrounge the materials for them.
The whole book is an eyeopener, showing th
I never expected to enjoy this as much as I did. Rolf Harris' autobiography charts his life from the age of 3 living in a house in an area of scrubland just outside Perth, Australia, up to 2001, which was when this book was written. Rolf's house was built by his father - and in those days in Australia that meant literally built, stone (panel, nail) by stone out of whatever was available, adding rooms as soon as they could scrounge the materials for them.
The whole book is an eyeopener, showing that Rolf didn't merely take his chances - he often just made them happen by sheer cheek and inventiveness. It reminded me of how diversely talented this man is, and how keen he was to share his talents.
It also makes me feel ashamed for poking fun at him (as did thousands of others) during my "cool teens". But I think he was well aware of this tendency at the time.
Hugely enjoyable, and entertainingly written.
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A very interesting read a great look behind the scenes of this great man not only is he a talented writer Artist presenter comedian he is a very nice man