Harry Champion
Encyclopedia
William Crump better known by the stage name Harry Champion, was an English music hall
composer, singer and Cockney
comedian, whose onstage persona appealed chiefly to the working class
communities of East London
. His most famous recordings include "Boiled Beef and Carrots
" (1909), "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
" (1910), "Any Old Iron
" (1911) and "A Little Bit of Cucumber
" (1915).
Born in Mile End
, east London, to Walter Henry Crump and Louisa Ann Crump née Scantlebury, he made his stage début at the age of 15 at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
, in July 1882, where he appeared as Will Conray. He made his début at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
. He went on to appear at small music halls within London's East End. In 1887 he changed his stage name from Will Conray to Harry Champion. He had started to perform in London music halls beyond the East End and built up a wide repertoire of songs. He soon became one of music hall's most successful artists. He was known for performing his songs at a fast tempo
and often sang about the joys of food.
After nearly four decades on stage, Champion retired in 1920 and ran a successful taxi business called "Horseshoe Coaches", which later became a family business. He occasionally performed in halls and theatres around London, mainly in the East End. In 1930, he came out of retirement and appeared on radio, gaining a new, much younger audience as a result. During the great depression
of the 1930s, music hall entertainment had made a comeback, and Champion, like other performers of the music hall genre, returned to performing and enjoyed popularity throughout the 1930s. By the late 1930s and in ill health, he retired to a nursing home.
, London, the son of Walter Henry Crump, a tailor who was later a butcher and licensed victualler
, and his wife, Louisa Ann Crump, née Scantlebury. He had one brother and one sister. Few details are known about Champion's early life, as he was notoriously secretive. When he was 15, he became an apprentice to a boot clicker
and soon developed an interest in music-hall entertainment.
He made his début at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
, in July 1882, as "Will Conray, comic". He appeared in minor music halls of London's East End,where he was described as a comic, character vocalist, and character comic and dancer. In 1883 he developed a blackface
act in which he sang plantation songs. Local success led him to venture into other parts of the capital in the early part of 1886.
Later that year, he introduced a new act entitled "From Light to Dark", in which he appeared alternately in black and whiteface. A year later, in 1887, he changed his stage name from Will Conray to Harry Champion. When asked about the origin of the name, Champion stated:
début at the Tivoli in September 1890. Encores of his now famous song, "I'm Selling up the 'Appy 'Ome", were often accompanied with a hornpipe
dance, which Champion performed. Champion followed this up with "When the Old Dun Cow Caught Fire", which he introduced into his act in 1893.
By the mid-1890s, he had many songs in his repertory, and he was in demand. The Entr'Acte wrote, "Champion is a comic singer who is endowed with genuine humour, which is revealed in his several songs, of which the audience never seems to get enough". In 1898, Champion departed from the style of alternating songs and patter and instead adopted a quick fire delivery in order for him to perform as many songs as he could during his act. He retained this style of delivery for the remainder of his career, remarking, "At one time I used to sing songs with plenty of patter but I changed the style for a new idea of my own, and started "quick singing". I think I am the only comedian who sings songs all in a lump, as you may say".
Champion's popularity was at its highest from 1910 to 1915. It was within this period that he introduced four of his best known songs. "Boiled Beef and Carrots
" was first published in 1909, and was composed by Charles Collins and Fred Murray. The song depicts the joys of the well known Cockney dish of the same name which was eaten frequently in London's East End community at the turn of the 20th century
. "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
" was written for Champion by Fred Murray
and R. P. Weston
in 1910. The song is about the life and times of Henry VIII and the fact that he had been married several times, without success. "Any Old Iron
" was written for Champion by Charles Collins, E.A. Sheppard and Fred Terry
in 1911. The song is about a man who inherits an old watch and chain. Champion later recorded it on the EMI
label on 29 October 1935 and was accompanied by the London Palladium Orchestra. The song has often been covered by fellow artistes including Stanley Holloway
and Peter Sellers
. "A Little Bit of Cucumber
" was written by the composer T. W. Conner and was first performed by Champion in 1915. The song is about a working-class man who enjoys eating cucumbers. He later compares them to other types of food, before eventually deciding that it is cucumber he prefers. Champion later took part in the first Royal Variety Performance
at The Palace Theatre
in 1912.
His earliest known recording success was in 1896 with "In the World Turned Upside Down", followed by "Down Fell the Pony in a Fit" in 1897. Other records of note included "What a Mouth" (1906), "Everybody Knows Me in Me Old Brown Hat" and "Beaver" both from (1922).
, saveloy
s, trotters, cold pork, and baked sheep's heart, all basic elements in a Cockney's diet.
With the outbreak of the First World War, traditional music hall entertainment declined in comparison with the new genre called variety
. Music halls around London began to scrap the audience's tables, as there was no longer a need for them when the consumption of alcohol in auditoriums was made illegal. Those music halls that could afford the transition from seated dining areas to auditoriums with semi-circular seating in sections, adopted the new layout. Others were gradually closed and redeveloped. In 1915, Champion recorded "Grow some Taters", which was adopted by the British government's wartime publicity organisation to encourage the home growing of vegetables. However, by 1918 Champion, like a lot of performers from the music hall era, found their careers on the decline and he was forced into retirement in 1920.
and grew to become a popular business in the early post-war years. The business was later renamed "North London Coaches" during the 1930s, but the fleet of vehicles was commandeered for the War Effort
by the British government at the outbreak of World War II
in 1939. After the war, the business adopted a new name and was run by Champion's son, William Henry Crump, who initially worked as a mechanic for the company. The business was later run by Steve Crump, who was Champion's grandson.
of the 1930s, music hall entertainment made a comeback, and Champion, like other performers of the music hall genre, returned to performing and enjoyed popularity throughout the 1930s. Troupes of veterans were much in demand in the 1930s, and Lew Lake's Variety, 1906–1931—Stars who Never Failed to Shine went on tour throughout the country early in the decade with Champion as a leading member. Critics hailed Champion as a success stating "He almost brought the house down with three of his typical ditties".
In 1932, Champion appeared at the royal variety performance with other representatives of old style music hall, including Vesta Victoria
, Fred Russell
, and Marie Kendall
. That same year he returned to the London Palladium
, where he sang "Any Old Iron" and had some success. Further royal variety performance appearances took place again at the Palladium in 1935 and at the London Coliseum in 1938, and he was seen in the successful London Rhapsody with the Crazy Gang
at the Palladium in 1937 and 1938.
Champion decided not to try anything new because he recognised the fact that audiences liked the nostalgia surrounding his act. On stage, his appearance did not change. He was the embodiment of the spirit of the poorer parts of London, wearing shabby, ill-fitting clothes, old work boots and a frayed top hat. One critic noted "Like music hall itself, Harry Champion was of the people, he expressed the tastes of practically all his listeners, even those who would not openly admit it, and in World War 2 he sang to troops who found him a splendid tonic".
, Champion married Sarah Potteweld (1869–1928), who accompanied him on many of his tours. They had three sons and a daughter. In 1914, Champion moved from the east end to 520 West Green Road, South Tottenham
. Towards the later part of his life he and Sarah lived at 161 Great Cambridge Road, Tottenham. By late 1941, exhaustion had forced him into a nursing home, at 20 Devonshire Place, St Marylebone, London. He died there on 14 January 1942 and was buried with his wife (who had predeceased him on 24 January 1928) in St Marylebone cemetery, East Finchley
, on 24 January 1942. He is buried in East Finchley Cemetery. He was survived by his three sons and daughter.
Champion was mentioned in a 1969 episode of Dad's Army
. The reference, taken from Series 3 in an episode entitled "War dance", is made during a dinner and dance sequence where Lance Corporal Jones
was performing various impressions of music hall artistes of the pre first word war era. In order to stall an announcement of marriage by Private Pike
, Private Walker
rushed onto stage to demand Jones does his "'arry Champion impression". Jones refused, stating he couldn't do an impression of him. The episode was first broadcast on 6 November 1969.
In 1960 the actor and singer Stanley Holloway recorded an album entitled "Down at the Old Bull and Bush", which included a cover of "Any Old Iron" In 1965 the pop group Hermans Hermits recorded a cover of "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" for the album "Hermits On Tour" and reached No. 1 in the American Bill board Charts on 7 August 1965.
Chas and Dave
are admirers of Champion and often emulate his style, incorporating it into their own acts. In 1984 they recorded "Harry was a Champion" in tribute to him.
"Ginger You're Barmy" which was the title of Champion's 1910 song was used as the title of a book written by the actor David Lodge
in 1962.
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
composer, singer and Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
comedian, whose onstage persona appealed chiefly to the working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
communities of East London
East London
East London is a city on the southeast coast of South Africa, situated at 32.97°S and 27.87°E in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality of the Eastern Cape province. The city lies on the Indian Ocean coast, largely between the Buffalo River and the Nahoon River, and is the country's only river...
. His most famous recordings include "Boiled Beef and Carrots
Boiled Beef and Carrots
"Boiled Beef and Carrots" is a comedic musical hall song published in 1909, and composed by Charles Collins and Fred Murray.The song was made famous by Harry Champion who sang it as part of his act and recorded it...
" (1909), "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
"I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am" is a 1910 British music hall song by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston...
" (1910), "Any Old Iron
Any Old Iron (song)
"Any Old Iron" is an old British Music hall song written by Charles Collins, Fred Terry and E.A. Sheppard. The song was made famous by Harry Champion, who sang it as part of his act and recorded it....
" (1911) and "A Little Bit of Cucumber
A Little Bit of Cucumber
A Little Bit of Cucumber is a cockney music hall song, written by T. W. Conner for the comedian and singer Harry Champion, who first performed it in 1915. It was first published by Francis, Day and Hunter the same year...
" (1915).
Born in Mile End
Mile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
, east London, to Walter Henry Crump and Louisa Ann Crump née Scantlebury, he made his stage début at the age of 15 at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, in July 1882, where he appeared as Will Conray. He made his début at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
. He went on to appear at small music halls within London's East End. In 1887 he changed his stage name from Will Conray to Harry Champion. He had started to perform in London music halls beyond the East End and built up a wide repertoire of songs. He soon became one of music hall's most successful artists. He was known for performing his songs at a fast tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
and often sang about the joys of food.
After nearly four decades on stage, Champion retired in 1920 and ran a successful taxi business called "Horseshoe Coaches", which later became a family business. He occasionally performed in halls and theatres around London, mainly in the East End. In 1930, he came out of retirement and appeared on radio, gaining a new, much younger audience as a result. During the great depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
of the 1930s, music hall entertainment had made a comeback, and Champion, like other performers of the music hall genre, returned to performing and enjoyed popularity throughout the 1930s. By the late 1930s and in ill health, he retired to a nursing home.
Early years and Will Conray
William Henry Crump was born at 30 Grafton Street, Mile EndMile End
Mile End is an area within the East End of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located east-northeast of Charing Cross...
, London, the son of Walter Henry Crump, a tailor who was later a butcher and licensed victualler
Victualler
A victualler is traditionally a person who sells food or other provisions, similar to a grocer, and in particular British usage can be used to mean a person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages....
, and his wife, Louisa Ann Crump, née Scantlebury. He had one brother and one sister. Few details are known about Champion's early life, as he was notoriously secretive. When he was 15, he became an apprentice to a boot clicker
Bootmaker clicker
A bootmaker clicker was the person who cut the uppers for the shoes or boots from a sheet of leather. He was so named after the sound that his machine made. It was a skilled trade because it was his responsibility to maximise the number of uppers which could be cut from a piece of leather...
and soon developed an interest in music-hall entertainment.
He made his début at the Royal Victoria Music Hall in Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, in July 1882, as "Will Conray, comic". He appeared in minor music halls of London's East End,where he was described as a comic, character vocalist, and character comic and dancer. In 1883 he developed a blackface
Blackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
act in which he sang plantation songs. Local success led him to venture into other parts of the capital in the early part of 1886.
Later that year, he introduced a new act entitled "From Light to Dark", in which he appeared alternately in black and whiteface. A year later, in 1887, he changed his stage name from Will Conray to Harry Champion. When asked about the origin of the name, Champion stated:
As Harry Champion
In 1889, Champion gave up the blackface part of his act. He bought the performing rights to the song "I'm Selling up the 'Appy 'Ome" which brought him new found fame. It is noted as being one of the first songs which came to be associated with his name. His popularity widened, and he made his West End theatreWest End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
début at the Tivoli in September 1890. Encores of his now famous song, "I'm Selling up the 'Appy 'Ome", were often accompanied with a hornpipe
Hornpipe
The term hornpipe refers to any of several dance forms played and danced in Britain and elsewhere from the late 17th century until the present day. It is said that hornpipe as a dance began around the 16th century on English sailing vessels...
dance, which Champion performed. Champion followed this up with "When the Old Dun Cow Caught Fire", which he introduced into his act in 1893.
By the mid-1890s, he had many songs in his repertory, and he was in demand. The Entr'Acte wrote, "Champion is a comic singer who is endowed with genuine humour, which is revealed in his several songs, of which the audience never seems to get enough". In 1898, Champion departed from the style of alternating songs and patter and instead adopted a quick fire delivery in order for him to perform as many songs as he could during his act. He retained this style of delivery for the remainder of his career, remarking, "At one time I used to sing songs with plenty of patter but I changed the style for a new idea of my own, and started "quick singing". I think I am the only comedian who sings songs all in a lump, as you may say".
Champion's popularity was at its highest from 1910 to 1915. It was within this period that he introduced four of his best known songs. "Boiled Beef and Carrots
Boiled Beef and Carrots
"Boiled Beef and Carrots" is a comedic musical hall song published in 1909, and composed by Charles Collins and Fred Murray.The song was made famous by Harry Champion who sang it as part of his act and recorded it...
" was first published in 1909, and was composed by Charles Collins and Fred Murray. The song depicts the joys of the well known Cockney dish of the same name which was eaten frequently in London's East End community at the turn of the 20th century
20th century
Many people define the 20th century as running from January 1, 1901 to December 31, 2000, others would rather define it as beginning on January 1, 1900....
. "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am
"I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am" is a 1910 British music hall song by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston...
" was written for Champion by Fred Murray
Fred Murray
Frederick Anthony "Fred" Murray is an Irish footballer currently playing for Luton Town.-Career:...
and R. P. Weston
R. P. Weston
Robert Patrick Weston was an English songwriter. He was born and died in London. Among other songs, he co-authored , "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm", a macabre little ditty about the ghost of Anne Boleyn haunting the Tower of London, seeking revenge on Henry VIII for having her...
in 1910. The song is about the life and times of Henry VIII and the fact that he had been married several times, without success. "Any Old Iron
Any Old Iron (song)
"Any Old Iron" is an old British Music hall song written by Charles Collins, Fred Terry and E.A. Sheppard. The song was made famous by Harry Champion, who sang it as part of his act and recorded it....
" was written for Champion by Charles Collins, E.A. Sheppard and Fred Terry
Fred Terry
Fred Terry was an English actor and theatrical manager. After establishing his reputation in London and in the provinces for a decade, he joined the company of Herbert Beerbohm Tree where he remained for four years, meeting his future wife, Julia Neilson...
in 1911. The song is about a man who inherits an old watch and chain. Champion later recorded it on the EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
label on 29 October 1935 and was accompanied by the London Palladium Orchestra. The song has often been covered by fellow artistes including Stanley Holloway
Stanley Holloway
Stanley Augustus Holloway, OBE was an English stage and film actor, comedian, singer, poet and monologist. He was famous for his comic and character roles on stage and screen, especially that of Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady...
and Peter Sellers
Peter Sellers
Richard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
. "A Little Bit of Cucumber
A Little Bit of Cucumber
A Little Bit of Cucumber is a cockney music hall song, written by T. W. Conner for the comedian and singer Harry Champion, who first performed it in 1915. It was first published by Francis, Day and Hunter the same year...
" was written by the composer T. W. Conner and was first performed by Champion in 1915. The song is about a working-class man who enjoys eating cucumbers. He later compares them to other types of food, before eventually deciding that it is cucumber he prefers. Champion later took part in the first Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
at The Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre, London
The Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster in London. It is an imposing red-brick building that dominates the west side of Cambridge Circus and is located near the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road...
in 1912.
His earliest known recording success was in 1896 with "In the World Turned Upside Down", followed by "Down Fell the Pony in a Fit" in 1897. Other records of note included "What a Mouth" (1906), "Everybody Knows Me in Me Old Brown Hat" and "Beaver" both from (1922).
First World War and music hall decline
The titles of many of Champion's songs, supplied mainly by professional writers, centered around various types of food, consumed, chiefly by the working class community of East London. Food became an essential part of his repertory, so much so that during the First World War, a plate of boiled beef and carrots was known as "an 'arry Champion". Champion also sang about cucumbers, pickled onions, piccalilliPiccalilli
Piccalilli is a British relish of chopped pickled vegetables and spices; regional recipes vary considerably. A more finely chopped variety "sandwich piccalilli" is also available from major British supermarkets.-Etymology:...
, saveloy
Saveloy
A saveloy is a type of highly seasoned sausage, usually bright red in colour, which is typically available in English fish and chips shops,but more often from pork shops sometimes fried in batter...
s, trotters, cold pork, and baked sheep's heart, all basic elements in a Cockney's diet.
With the outbreak of the First World War, traditional music hall entertainment declined in comparison with the new genre called variety
Variety
- Mathematics :* Abelian variety, a complex torus that can be embedded into projective space* Abstract variety, an intrinsically defined variety* Algebraic variety, the basic object of study in algebraic geometry** Affine variety, a subset of algebraic varieties...
. Music halls around London began to scrap the audience's tables, as there was no longer a need for them when the consumption of alcohol in auditoriums was made illegal. Those music halls that could afford the transition from seated dining areas to auditoriums with semi-circular seating in sections, adopted the new layout. Others were gradually closed and redeveloped. In 1915, Champion recorded "Grow some Taters", which was adopted by the British government's wartime publicity organisation to encourage the home growing of vegetables. However, by 1918 Champion, like a lot of performers from the music hall era, found their careers on the decline and he was forced into retirement in 1920.
Horseshoe Coaches
Having taken semi-retirement in 1920, Champion ran a successful taxi business called "Horseshoe Coaches" and had "H.C." emblems advertised across the carriages. The initials were also intended to stand for Harry Champion. The company was based in Summerhill Road, TottenhamTottenham
Tottenham is an area of the London Borough of Haringey, England, situated north north east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:Tottenham is believed to have been named after Tota, a farmer, whose hamlet was mentioned in the Domesday Book; hence Tota's hamlet became Tottenham...
and grew to become a popular business in the early post-war years. The business was later renamed "North London Coaches" during the 1930s, but the fleet of vehicles was commandeered for the War Effort
War effort
In politics and military planning, a war effort refers to a coordinated mobilization of society's resources—both industrial and human—towards the support of a military force...
by the British government at the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1939. After the war, the business adopted a new name and was run by Champion's son, William Henry Crump, who initially worked as a mechanic for the company. The business was later run by Steve Crump, who was Champion's grandson.
1930s revival
During the great depressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
of the 1930s, music hall entertainment made a comeback, and Champion, like other performers of the music hall genre, returned to performing and enjoyed popularity throughout the 1930s. Troupes of veterans were much in demand in the 1930s, and Lew Lake's Variety, 1906–1931—Stars who Never Failed to Shine went on tour throughout the country early in the decade with Champion as a leading member. Critics hailed Champion as a success stating "He almost brought the house down with three of his typical ditties".
In 1932, Champion appeared at the royal variety performance with other representatives of old style music hall, including Vesta Victoria
Vesta Victoria
Vesta Victoria was an English music hall singer and comedian. Although born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Vesta adopted a Cockney persona on stage...
, Fred Russell
Fred Russell
Fred Russell was an American sports writer prominent in the Golden Era of Sports in the 20th century...
, and Marie Kendall
Marie Kendall
Marie Kendall ; 1873–1964) was a British music hall comedienne and actress who had a successful career spanning 50 years.-Biography:Marie Kendall was born Mary Ann Florence Holyome on 27th July 1873 in Bethnal Green, London....
. That same year he returned to the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
, where he sang "Any Old Iron" and had some success. Further royal variety performance appearances took place again at the Palladium in 1935 and at the London Coliseum in 1938, and he was seen in the successful London Rhapsody with the Crazy Gang
Crazy Gang
The Crazy Gang is a nickname used by the English media to describe Wimbledon F.C. during the 1980s and the 1990s.The name, originally that of a well known group of British comedy entertainers popular in the late 1930s, was used because of the often eccentric and boisterously macho behaviour of...
at the Palladium in 1937 and 1938.
Champion decided not to try anything new because he recognised the fact that audiences liked the nostalgia surrounding his act. On stage, his appearance did not change. He was the embodiment of the spirit of the poorer parts of London, wearing shabby, ill-fitting clothes, old work boots and a frayed top hat. One critic noted "Like music hall itself, Harry Champion was of the people, he expressed the tastes of practically all his listeners, even those who would not openly admit it, and in World War 2 he sang to troops who found him a splendid tonic".
Personal life
On 30 November 1889, at St Peter's Church, HackneyHackney
-Places:* London Borough of Hackney, formed in 1965** Metropolitan Borough of Hackney, formed in 1900 and abolished in 1965** Hackney Central** Hackney Central , a political division of the Council** Hackney Central railway station** Hackney College...
, Champion married Sarah Potteweld (1869–1928), who accompanied him on many of his tours. They had three sons and a daughter. In 1914, Champion moved from the east end to 520 West Green Road, South Tottenham
South Tottenham
-Location:South Tottenham occupies parts of the N15 and N17 postal districts. It is bordered in the south by Stamford Hill, the west by St Ann's and West Green, the north by Tottenham, and the east by the Lee Valley Reservoirs.-Character of the area:...
. Towards the later part of his life he and Sarah lived at 161 Great Cambridge Road, Tottenham. By late 1941, exhaustion had forced him into a nursing home, at 20 Devonshire Place, St Marylebone, London. He died there on 14 January 1942 and was buried with his wife (who had predeceased him on 24 January 1928) in St Marylebone cemetery, East Finchley
East Finchley
East Finchley is a suburb in the London Borough of Barnet, in north London, and situated north-west of Charing Cross. Geographically it is somewhat separate from the rest of Finchley, with North Finchley and West Finchley to the north, and Finchley Central to the west.- History :The land on which...
, on 24 January 1942. He is buried in East Finchley Cemetery. He was survived by his three sons and daughter.
Partial discography
- "A Little Bit Of Cucumber" (1915)
- "Any Old Iron"
- "Best that Money Can Buy" ( September 1931)
- "Boiled Beef and Carrots" (January 1910)
- "Cockney Bill of London Town" (May 1916)
- "Cover it Over Quick Jemima" (January 1911)
- "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am" (January 1910) (signature tune/song)
- "I'm proud of my old bald head" (December 1911)
- "Old Red Lion" (April 1909)
- "You don't want to keep on showing it" (January 1910)
- "You ought to see the Missus in a Harem skirt" (March 1911)
- "Don't do it again Matilda" (May 1910)
- "Ginger You're Barmy" (May 1910)
- "Never let your braces dangle" (August 1910)
- "Let's have a basin of soup" (January 1911)
- "Standard Bread" (March 1911)
- "I'm getting ready for my Mother-in-Law" (December 1911)
- "The Old Dun Cow caught fire" (December 1911)
- "Home made sausages" (July 1912)
- "Ragtime Ragshop" (January/February 1915)
- "I'm William the Conqueror" (January/February 1915)
- "You can't help laughing can yer?" (September 1915)
- "Doctor Shelley" (September 1915)
- "Hey Diddle Diddle" (May 1916)
- "Everybody knows me in my old brown hat" (March 1922)
- "Best that money can buy" (June 1922)
Modern day references and Influences
Champion influenced many later variety artists and their acts. His songs are among some of the most popular Cockney songs ever recorded and are synonymous with people's interpretation of what Cockney humour is. "Any old iron" and "Boiled Beef and Carrots" are often used to illustrate a stereotype as perceived by non cockney people.Champion was mentioned in a 1969 episode of Dad's Army
Dad's Army
Dad's Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard during the Second World War. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and broadcast on BBC television between 1968 and 1977. The series ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total, plus a radio series, a feature film and a stage show...
. The reference, taken from Series 3 in an episode entitled "War dance", is made during a dinner and dance sequence where Lance Corporal Jones
Lance-Corporal Jack Jones
Lance Corporal Jack Jones is a fictional Home Guard platoon lance-corporal, veteran of the British Empire and butcher portrayed by Clive Dunn in the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army...
was performing various impressions of music hall artistes of the pre first word war era. In order to stall an announcement of marriage by Private Pike
Private Frank Pike
Private Frank Pike is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and junior bank clerk portrayed by Ian Lavender in the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. He is frequently referred to by Captain Mainwaring as "stupid boy".- Personality :...
, Private Walker
Private Joe Walker
Private Joe Walker is a fictional black market spiv and Home Guard platoon member portrayed by actor James Beck on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. James Beck died suddenly in 1973, and is featured in just under three-quarters of the episodes...
rushed onto stage to demand Jones does his "'arry Champion impression". Jones refused, stating he couldn't do an impression of him. The episode was first broadcast on 6 November 1969.
In 1960 the actor and singer Stanley Holloway recorded an album entitled "Down at the Old Bull and Bush", which included a cover of "Any Old Iron" In 1965 the pop group Hermans Hermits recorded a cover of "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" for the album "Hermits On Tour" and reached No. 1 in the American Bill board Charts on 7 August 1965.
Chas and Dave
Chas and Dave
Chas & Dave are an English pop rock duo, most notable as creators and performers of a musical style labelled "rockney", which mixes "pub singalong, music-hall humour, boogie-woogie piano and pre-Beatles rock 'n' roll"...
are admirers of Champion and often emulate his style, incorporating it into their own acts. In 1984 they recorded "Harry was a Champion" in tribute to him.
"Ginger You're Barmy" which was the title of Champion's 1910 song was used as the title of a book written by the actor David Lodge
David Lodge (actor)
David William Frederick Lodge was a British character actor.Before turning to acting he worked as a circus clown...
in 1962.