Grab You: The Brits Are Rocking 9 / Various

CD retrospective, spotlighting the career of Wee Willie Harris, one of the fascinating original British rock'n'rollers whose outfits and performances influenced performers from Cliff Richard to David Bowie. David Bowie once said that Wee Willie Harris founded glam. Not to contradict the man who knew all about glam and glitter, it must be added that Wee Willie Harris was also the prototype of the punk look. Regardless of classification, Wee Willie Harris was the epitome of rock'n'roll and extremely original. This great entertainer understood the essence of an American rock'n'roll show and brought it to Britain. And yet he was as English as it gets. He was there from the beginning, and by combining British humor with American music, Harris helped to establish the enduring tradition of British rock and roll. Wee Willie Harris is one of the wildest English rockers and is held in the highest esteem by his contemporaries. Cliff Richard called him "the best". His merit, however, lies in his influence in the '60s, but especially in the '70s and early '80s. Dressed in leopard skins, capes with his name embroidered on the back and brightly colored long hair, he ventured into realms unknown in the gritty everyday life of post-war Britain. Ironically, Wee Willie Harris is not a household name outside his circle of admirers and hardcore rockers. With the ninth CD in our series dedicated to British rockers, 'The Brits Are Rocking', we want to turn the spotlight back on Harris. Join us in the jungle with the wild man of English rock'n'roll, who the BBC accused of "encouraging youthful decadence". Romp, stomp and move to the wild rhythms of Soho. A long overdue retrospective!