Who was Wee Willie Harris? ‘Wild man of rock & roll’ and Beetles inspiration dies aged 90

Wee Willie Harris, 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” has died. Harris was born on 25 March 1933 and died Thursday, 27 April 2023.

Born Charles William Harris, Willie started his career as a pudding mixer at Peek Freans’ London bakery. However, he turned into a professional musician after realizing he could ‘make more money’ singing.

Harris, who stood at just 5ft 2in, was also famous for his bright pink hair.

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”, Harris also inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

When he performed in Liverpool in 1958, Paul McCartney and John Lennon reportedly stood in line to get his autograph.

He lived in Prestwich, a town near Manchester, in the middle of the 1970s, and in the late 1970s, he returned as a nostalgia act when Ian Dury mentioned him in the song “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3.”

His early recordings were also released on CD in 1999.

In 2005, Harris had a “mystery guest” appearance on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, a comedy music quiz program.

Six years later, in an interview with Melvyn Bragg for the Reel History of Britain series, he discussed rock and roll in Britain.

Rob Finnis’ I Go Ape! – The Wee Willie Harris Story, which includes an 88-page illustrated biography and a 30-track CD of Harris’ best rock and roll tracks, was released in 2018.