All about this artist
Biography:
Born 23 October 1944, Crumpsall, Manchester, England. Harding started performing in skiffle groups and rock bands at the age of 14, including the Irk Valley Stompers and the Stylos. The latter group played all over the Midlands and north of England.
After earning a living as a bus conductor and carpet-fitter, Harding embarked on an education degree while continuing to perform in the folk arena, initially with the Edison Bell Spasm Band and then solo. Utilising his natural ability for telling jokes and stories, Harding abandoned education to travel the world entertaining British troops.
A low-key album for Leader Records was followed by the spoof song "Rochdale Cowboy" which became a surprise UK Top 30 hit in 1975. As a result Harding appeared on BBC Television's Top Of The Pops, sitting on a stuffed Alsatian dog.
One Man Show, meanwhile, attained silver disc status. Harding's subsequent career demonstrates his versatility, with his work embracing live shows, acting, television and radio presenting, writing, and photography. He hosted his own series The Mike Harding Show on BBC Television, while The Harding Trail saw him cycling along the Appalachian trail in the USA, meeting people and looking at the differing types of music from state to state.
He also hosts a regular folk and roots show on BBC Radio 2. Harding has also written soundtracks for film and television, including the cartoon series Danger Mouse and Duckula. He also provided scores for the award-winning children's features, The Reluctant Dragon and The Fool Of The World And His Flying Ship.
Harding is also a prolific and successful author, producing comedy, travel, poetry and childrens' books. When The Martians Land In Huddersfield topped the Sunday Times bestseller lists in 1984, and he has won several awards for his travel literature.
In addition, he has also written several plays including Fur Coat And No Knickers, Hell Bent! and Last Tango In Whitby. Harding's humorous stage act remains as popular as ever, as evidenced by his sell-out date "One Night Stand' tour of Britain in 1987, and he continues to tour every two or three years.
His recordings on his own Moonraker Music label include the non-humorous Bombers" Moon and Plutonium Alley. The former was inspired by the death of his father during a WWII bombing mission.
