As a "pom" I don't I know how culturally significant Rolf Harris is in Australia these days. Actually, I haven't heard him mentioned once since I got to Melbourne whereas I haven't gone a single day without being exposed to Pink at least twice. (Can she play the digeridoo?) But in England, along with Kylie Minogue, he has gradually earned himself "adopted national treasure" status, a feat he cemented this weekend when he kicked off Glastonbury on just the right note of good-natured bizarreness. In the eyes of the British media (not to mention the crowds who witnessed his set), the 80 year old got the party started more effectively than, dare I say it, Pink could have managed. To put this in some kind of perspective, humble Rolf Harris conquered the mighty Glasto while the much-hyped Gorillaz flopped. (Sshhh... that's the sound of Damon Albarn learning the wobble board.)

In the wake of this career-high moment (and he's painted the Queen), Harris has thrown a promotional one-two punch worthy of an icon by revealing that he's recorded a duet with none other than fellow living icon Kate Bush. (What's that? That's the sound of rabid Kate Bush fan Lady Gaga googling "rolf + harris").

"We’ve done another recording together," he told London's Metro newspaper. "I did her a favour by playing on her album [Aerial] and she did me a favour by recording with me. It’s a version of 'She Moves Through The Fair'; a traditional Irish song, and she sings the female vocals in the story. It’s bloody marvellous, the best thing I’ve done. I’m sure Kate Bush fans will be interested. I’m not sure how to release it. I’m not au fait with downloading. I had all my success with George Martin in the 1960s, so I’m used to people buying records in shops."

Maybe he could post it on his rather impressive looking website. Just a thought.

The living legend also described Glastonbury as, "the highlight of my entertainment career. Singing in front of 70,000 who know all the words to the songs is amazing."

Almost as amazing as this revelation gleaned by Metro's intrepid interviewer...

Metro: If you were a kangaroo what would you keep in your pouch?
Rolf: wobble board, a didgeridoo and a piano accordion.

Amazing.


Rolf Harris circa 1982 on the title track of Kate Bush's experimental fourth album The Dreaming...