Wee Willie Harris obituary

Rock and roll star Wee Willie Harris, real name Charles William Harris has died at age 90. Harris was born on 25 March 1933 and passed away on Thursday, 27 April 2023.

His death was confirmed by Sheila, his wife of 47 years.

Harris began his music career performing at The 2i’s Coffee Bar in Soho, London, where he was the resident piano player. Among others, he performed with Tommy Steele, Adam Faith, Screaming Lord Sutch.

He was named for his 5′ 2″ height, and in tribute to Little Richard.

He rose to fame as a performer on television and during live shows. He was renowned for his boundless energy, multicolored dyed hair (often green, orange, or pink), and clothes that included “larger-than-life stage jackets that looked like the coat hanger was still inside, tight drainpipe trousers, and a huge polka-dot bow tie.”

Harris had a “mystery guest” appearance on the comedy music quiz show Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2005, but he was quickly recognized.

He discussed rock & roll in Britain in an interview with Melvyn Bragg in 2011 for the Reel History of Britain series.

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

Harris is survived by Sheila, his wife of 47 years. His children, if any, are not known to the public.