Rolf Harris

With the Australian performer Rolf Harris, fun is as contagious as cold germs in a day-care center. Take the time his accordion caught on fire because it was placed too close to the stage lights. Any other performer would add "take it please," not wanting to deal with such a hot situation at a live gig. Harris simply went on playing the instrument as soon as the flames were contained, inspiring the local press to make merry. "Rolf's Act is Red Hot" wrote the Sunday Express, while a rival paper came up with the title "Fry Me Accordion Brown, Sport." This of course is a variation on "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," the madcap single Harris managed to place on hit-parade charts otherwise dominated by younger folk with longer hair. While this song helped bring Harris international fame in the '60s, it is also the reason many listeners think this performer is just a one-hit wonder. Such an opinion would require completely ignoring the man's long career as a recording artist, nightclub performer, author, and visual artist. It is quite apparent that the hit parade is one thing Harris doesn't need.

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