GuilFest 2005. The Guildford Music Festival on 15th, 16th and 17th July 2005

About the bands
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Artist: Rolf Harris
Genre: Legend (We're talking hero stuff)
Performing: 17th July 2004 / BBC Radio 2 Main Stage
Website Address: [www.rolfharris.com]

Ask the multi-talented Rolf Harris about ambitions held over the years and he tells you that one of the most important has been to entertain. It's precisely what he has done, with huge success and in some style.

On the recording front he has enjoyed such mammoth hits as "Stairway to Heaven", "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport", "Sun Arise", "Jake the Peg", "Two Little Boys" and following the success of the compilation album "Didgereely Do All that" he released his album "Rolf Rules O.K." Recent releases include singles: "Ego Sum Pauper" for which proceeds were given to Children In Need; his version of the Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody" and, in 1997, a new recording of "Sun Arise" off his album "Can You Tell What It Is Yet?" (EMI). Autumn 2000 saw the release of his single "Fine Day" which entered the UK Chart at No. 24. It was released on the Tommy Boy Silver Label - one of the top three dance imprints in the USA.

Rolf's latest album is titled ' NOW AND THEN - The New and The Vintage Rolf Harris' and is available exclusively through his website and live gigs. 'NOW AND THEN' offers 17 brilliant tracks guaranteed to satisfy the most ardent fan. Songs include the oft-requested 'TWO BUFFALOS' This terrific song was released on the flip side of 'The Court of King Caractacus' in the 70's and has NEVER appeared on an album compilation - until now!

To celebrate the 50th year of Rolf's reign, the CD includes a Special Tribute pull-out Souvenir booklet complete with classic pictures and the background of each song in Rolf's own words.
Rolf hopes all his fans will be absolutely thrilled with this brand new release!

As an author he has written about music, painting, cartoon drawing and animation. He has compiled joke and song books and, with his wife Alwen, produced a book called "Rolf's Cats". His first novel was entitled "Win Or Die (The Making Of A King)", and he has been illustrator for other authors. At Christmas 1996 his book "True Animal Tales" (Century Books) - a heartwarming and humorous collection of animal stories from around the world, illustrated by Rolf - immediately became a No. 1 best-seller. In 1997 it was followed by the extremely successful "Beastly Behaviour" (Century) and in 2000 "Tall Animal Tales" - a new collection of incredible animal stories - and "Rolf Harris' Favourite Animal Stories" (Bodley Head).

His best selling autobiography 'Can You Tell What it is Yet' (Bantam Press) is available in the UK and throughout the world. You can order your signed copy on [www.rolfharris.com].

On television his shows have proved compulsive viewing for those from eight to eighty, give or take a few years either way. Those shows? Well, they have ranged from his earlier appearances on the box with his loveable koala, "Coojeebear" to "The Rolf Harris Show" on BBC Television, which introduced a whole new concept of television dancing with the Young Generation group, "Rolf on Saturday, O.K.?", the "Rolf's Walkabout" series, "Cartoon Time". HTV's immensely popular "Rolf's Cartoon Club" ran for six series and was awarded a silver medal in the youth programme category at the New York Film & Television Awards Festival.

1995 and 1997 also saw Rolf in a brand new series titled "Cat Crazy" for ITV (Carlton) which proved to be a never miss show for real cat lovers. At Christmas 1996 Carlton screened the first television special that Rolf has made in this country, a 60 minute music-based show, titled "Rolf!" Recently he has received huge critical acclaim as the presenter of BBC television's "Animal Hospital", winner of The National Television Awards 'Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show' 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000. Its excellent ratings and huge popularity have led to spin offs including "Animal Hospital Down Under" and "Animal Hospital On The Hoof". Rolf also presented Australia's own version of the programme as well as a Christmas special, "Animal Hospital Goes West", filmed in America and screened in Britain. In 1997 he also presented a new series titled "Rolf's Amazing World of Animals" for BBC TV.

He has worked extensively abroad, notably in Canada, New Zealand and his native Australia, often appearing with Symphony Orchestras at concerts designed to increase the interest of young people in music.

In India he has filmed "Rolf's Indian Walkabout" for Australian television and worldwide screening, and there are regular visits 'Down Under' where he tours in concert, performing his best known songs. "Rolf's Canadian Walkabout" was recently given another airing on the Travel Channel.

Live appearances here in the UK have included performances with his band up and down the country - particularly at universities - as well as appearances at the renowned Glastonbury Festival, and at the George Square Theatre as part of the prestigious Edinburgh Festival. Last year marked his fourth appearance at the Glastonbury Festival; where he performed with his band on the main stage.

In Autumn 1998 "Draw Your Own Cartoons With Rolf Harris" was reissued by Souvenir Press and Polygram released the video "Rolf's Amazing World of Animals".

In Spring 1999, Rolf returned to "Animal Hospital" in Putney for another series for BBC1 TV and he also presented a four-part series, Bligh of the Bounty - World Navigator, which made its TV premiere on the Travel Channel.

In Spring 2000 BBC1 TV's 'Animal Hospital' - was broadcast from Manchester and two specials titled 'Animal Hospital from Oz' were screened to coincide with the Sydney 2000 Olympics. 'Animal Hospital' - from Putney - returned to our screens from early October and the same month, 'Animal Hospital' received its fifth award as The Most Popular Factual Entertainment Show in The National Television Awards.

The Harris family staged their first ever art show together at the Halcyon Gallery in Birmingham's International Convention Centre in December 2000 when the works of Rolf - together with the works of his wife Alwen and daughter Bindi - formed part of an eclectic exhibition of painting, jewellery, sculpture and etching. A completely new series of "Rolf's Amazing World of Animals" was transmitted from February 2001 and another series of "Animal Hospital" - from Greater Manchester -was screened from March. The programme returned to it's original location - the RSPCA'S Harmsworth Hospital in North London for the Autumn series, running up to Christmas. During Autumn 2001 Rolf also presented a brand new four-part art series for BBC 1 TV, "Rolf on Art". It hit the headlines when it gained the highest TV ratings ever for a UK arts programme.

"Rolf's Merry Christmas" TV special was screened on BBC1 TV on Christmas Day and an "Animal Hospital Christmas Special" was also broadcast over the holiday season. Both shows beat all other channels screened during the same slot.

In Australia, Rolf's classic Australian Christmas song "Six White Boomers" was published in December 2001 for the first time as a picture book (with a sing along CD). The book is illustrated by Bruce Whatley and published by Margaret Hamilton Books. From May 2002, ABC TV in Australia nationally screened an omnibus series of "Rolf Harris' Animal Hospital".

In the UK, "Animal Hospital" returned to our screens on BBC1 TV in March 2002 with a new series, based at the RSPCA's Greater Manchester Hospital in Salford and in June, ITV profiled Rolf's life and career in "Star Lives". "Animal Hospital" returned to North London in October for a ten week series.

A second series of "Rolf on Art" was screened from November. The same month BBC Worldwide books published "Rolf on Art", a step by step guide to Rolf's approach to painting.

Also in November Rolf received one of the greatest honours possible for an artist by being invited to exhibit his work in the National Gallery, London in November 2002.

A third series of "Rolf on Art" was screened in Autumn 2003 and the last (19th) series of the hugely successful "Animal Hospital" ceased it's weekly visits to RSPCA hospitals in December 2003 but will return this year with a number of Animal Hospital specials. There will be a 4th series of "Rolf On Art" in 2004.

2003 marked Rolf's 50th year in TV in the UK and it was celebrated with a Golden Jubilee prom in aid of the Prince's Trust - Rolf at The Royal Albert Hall - which was screened on December 6th 2003 by BBC One TV.

An exhibition of Rolf's original paintings and drawings and rare signed limited editions, was held at the Halcyon Gallery, Bruton Street, London W1 last December.

From 4 January 2004 Rolf presented a series for BBC One, titled "Star Portraits" in which each week a different star sat for 3 professional portrait artists. Rolf followed the progress of the artists and, as each programme closed, the 3 paintings were finally revealed to the sitter who was then invited to choose their favourite.

On May 1st Rolf will present Test Your Pet for BBC One with Kate Humble. Test Your Pet is a one hour BBC event on prime-time which invites the nation to participate in testing their pets. It takes place during National Pet Week (1 - 9 May) and on Saturday 8 May the second Test Your Pet transmits with the results of the many tests and the survey.

Rolf has been awarded both the MBE and OBE and is a Member of the Order of Australia. In January 2000 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia for his contribution to the arts and humanities. He is Patron of the charity PHAB (physically disabled and able-bodied clubs throughout the UK) and Patron of CHATA (Children in Hospital and Animal Therapy Association). In September 2000 Rolf received honorary membership from The Royal Society of British Artists, joining a distinguished list that includes such names as Sir Winston Churchill and James McNeil Whistler.