Last week Carole and I flew to London, England. It was a sad trip as our sister-in-law had passed away from a long illness. She contracted MS in 1982 and in the last two years the situation worsened.

While we visited her family in London, we made contact with Rolf  Harris, who entertained in Vancouver from 1960 through 1962 at the Arctic Club on Dunsmuir, until it burned down. He then moved to the Cave. His act caught on, as he was one of the most personable performers you can imagine.

In 1962 Rolf decided to try England again, as he had tried years earlier. Upon arrival in London he found an agent and success on BBC radio and television. He hosted a children’s TV show and hosted entertainers on radio. Some of his first guests were four young lads from Liverpool known as the Beatles.

In addition to being a consummate entertainer, Rolf is a gifted  artist. He has been voted the number one artist in the world over the years. His paintings sell in the $40,000 range. While there  Carole and I visited the Art Gallery and his display which took up the entire gallery. Even though he is an Aussie he is revered in England. They have called him a national treasure. He is a Commander  of the British Empire and most recently was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Queen.

When documentary film maker Vikram Jayanti covered Rolf’s painting of the Queen for BBC it was decided that a documentary should be made of Rolf’s life. Vikram has a couple of Academy Awards including one for the movie When We Were Kings, the story of Muhammad Ali. Last week another of Vikram’s documentaries about music genius and weirdo Phil Spector opened in New York. Time magazine last week gave a spread on this documentary.

When Vikram approached Rolf for the documentary he asked him where he would like to go to film. He opted for Vancouver over Perth, Australia as he stated, “In Vancouver I discovered who I was and saw how people  accept me for what I am and this gave me the confidence to try London again.” So Rolf will be here in Vancouver in August and the visionary Patrick Roberge, entertainment director of the PNE, will present a very special Rolf Harris homecoming day at the fair. He can still hit the notes with Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, Sun Arise, and Six White Boomers.

Oh yes, the BBC camera crew will be with him during his entire visit. Rolf is as charming as ever and even at 80 has the stamina of a 35-year old. I am looking forward to his day at the fair.