Thousands back petition for official day celebrating Portobello-born star Sir Harry Lauder
The Portobello-born musician has millions of fans around the world and now one is calling for a ‘Sir Harry day’ to honour his legacy
A petition has been launched calling for an official day to celebrate the life and legacy of legendary Portobello-born entertainer Sir Harry Lauder.
Musician Carl Peterson, who hails from Greenock but now lives in the US, has started the campaign for August 4 to become Sir Harry Lauder Day from 2027 onwards.
The petition on Change.org has already attracted more than 6,000 signatures, with supporters hoping the annual celebration could shine a light on the entertainer’s career and legacy.
Born on August 4, 1870, Lauder, who was brought up in a cottage at Bridge Street in Portobello, rose from humble beginnings as a coal miner to become one of the world's biggest performers.
Known for his signature kilt, crooked walking stick and instantly recognisable stage persona, he became the world’s highest-paid entertainers and the first recording artist to sell one million records.
His fame also stretched far beyond Scotland, with millions of fans around the world desperate to see him perform.
Mr Peterson said Sir Harry was “the world’s first ‘pop star’” and was “loved wherever he performed.”
He hopes the proposed day could eventually feature performances and talks about Sir Harry’s life in Scotland and further afield.
He said: “We will be looking to organise musical performances and talks about his life in various locations around Scotland and further afield but, first off, we want to get an idea of the sort of appetite there might be for such an initiative.
“Early signs are very positive!”
Jamie MacDougall, a leading Scottish tenor and broadcaster who has performed globally in opera, classical and folk music is fully behind the bid, having discovered Sir Harry Lauder’s story as a child.
He recalled being taken to Glasgow’s King’s Theatre at the age of ten to see Jimmy Logan’s one-man show ‘Lauder’ about the entertainer.
Mr MacDougall added: “Years later, I had the privilege of reviving Jimmy's show with Scottish Opera, and it has been a dream come true to introduce Sir Harry's remarkable story to new audiences.
“Most recently, we spent four weeks off-Broadway in New York, where the response from people who had never heard of him or his extraordinary achievements was overwhelming.”
Sir Harry was knighted for his efforts during the first World War, when he raised over more than £1 million pounds for wounded servicemen returning home.
His legacy continues on today, with royalties from his work still supporting Erskine Veterans Charity in which his generosity has “never stopped making a difference.”
Mr MacDougall said an annual Sir Harry Lauder Day would be a “fitting and lasting tribute” to a man who “gave Scotland so much.”
Sir Harry Lauder passed away in 1950 and was laid to rest in Hamilton,
More than 75 years after his death, supporters of the petition hope his music and story can be introduced to a new generation.
Anyone wanting to sign the petition can do so by visiting https://c.org/rHLHWNKRMQ.