Houston Harris Sr.

It was just three years ago this past weekend, January 20, 1998, that the world lost a true friend and a grand gentleman. He was born Houston Harris in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 10, 1923. His family moved to E. St. Louis, Missouri and later to Benton Harbor, Michigan to obtain work in the numerous fruit farms that surround the town.

Houston, as his close friends knew him, drove fruit trucks in his early years of employment along with another close friend, Tim Hampton, who lived close by him. They made many trips together to the coasts delivering product.

It was during the off seasons that both men went to the Naval Armory in Benton Harbor to watch the wrestling matches. It was one form of excitement that young Houston Harris enjoyed.

Men the caliber of Farmer Don Marlin, Rex Sheeley, Tarzan White, Bobby Managoff, Benito Gardini, Jimmy Mitchell "The Black Panther," and Jumpin' Joe Savoldi would pack fans in every week. Houston would watch, as the huge cars would arrive at the armory with the various stars driving and said to himself … This is what I want to be … this is what I want to do.

He stood and talked to Joe Savoldi and told him of his dream. There were not many black wrestlers in the business at the time, and Houston wanted to be in the group. Joe must have seen the twinkle in his eye and invited him to come to the local YMCA that he was a member of in Chicago.

Joe took the time to refine the natural skills that Houston had, and, soon, he had his first professional match. The match was scheduled for 30 minutes, and Houston won the bout in a little over 20 minutes with a huge headbutt and body press. The coco-butt would be his trademark move during his career.

As far as strength, Houston was a super athlete, as he had played semi-professional baseball for the House of David. He did a lot of isometric exercises to stay in shape, as weights and gymnasiums were not affordable or accessible to him. There were a lot of barriers that he would have to overcome.

Houston went on to pack the Naval Armory on many nights, meeting young stars like Buddy Rogers, Killer Kowalski, Sailor Art Thomas, Moose Cholak, The Sheik, Johnny Kace, and many others.

His career would last over four decades. He would be a globetrotting athlete that would have an unblemished record of fame. He would see action against the best the world had to offer. Most of all, he would win the hearts of fans wherever he appeared.

He chose the ring name Bobo Brazil and was considered the greatest black athlete in wrestling history. He had the honor of being Wrestler of the Year for six years in a row. He was the United States Champion as well as the Pacific Coast World Champion, WWWF Champion, National Wrestling Conference Champion, World Tag Team Champion with various partners, and many more too numerous to mention.

Bobo wrestled an average of six nights a week and made upwards to $500,000 a year during the 70's. He had many beautiful sequined ring jackets and matching boots with the insignia BB on them. He had his clothes hand made for him by designers Carl and Hildegard.

Bobo always took the time before and after his matches to be with the fans. He always had a gentle handshake for the kids and spent many of his extra free hours in children's hospitals nationwide. He would call every child "CHAMP" and make sure that they had a smile on their face when he left.

His legacy will never be surpassed as a man, a wrestler, or an icon in our business. He crossed many barriers and was not treated as an equal in the beginning, but tenacity and perseverance outweighed his momentary downfalls, and the world was made much better.

I would like to quote from the program for the funeral of Bobo Brazil.... Mr. Houston Harris.

"Sorry I had to leave you in a sudden kind of way,
but my friend Jesus said he needed me today.
So I won't call or even say goodbye,
a friend of mine named Jesus is waiting, so I won't even try.
Don't worry about the future... It's really not that long,
Don't wait up and please don't cry....
besides you didn't hear me say Goodbye.
Just remember who I am leaving with,
don't take another kind of way and be lost,
trust in him and heed his written words,
because he is coming back for you one day."

Rest in Peace, my Friend.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers