All text © Guitar Wolf @guitarwolf  guitarwolf.net   Original Japanese text on Seiji’s blog 29 June 2025

Words for Derek

My friend and the president of Lewis Leathers Derek Harris passed away just recently.

I was fortunate to become close with Derek. Looking back now, I realise he was a true friend. We had a relationship built on mutual respect.

Derek and Seiji 2021 © 原田篤 @atsushi.harada_photography

I believe it was around 20 years ago.

Just before a Guitar Wolf show in London, we suddenly received a message from the Lewis Leathers side saying they wanted to meet us. A few staff members came into our dressing room before the gig and gave us Lewis Leathers T-shirts and other goodies. Peeking out from behind them was this cool bloke with a slicked back quiff that was Derek.

After that, Derek and his wife Saaya would often turn up at our European tours. At one point, they even promoted a Guitar Wolf London gig under the Lewis Leathers banner.

At the time, we were still wearing USA-made Schott leather jackets, so I remember wondering why they were going to such lengths for us. But Derek didn’t seem to care about that sort of thing he just genuinely loved Guitar Wolf.

Before long, the two of them started following us on tour for days at a time. Thanks to them, we ended up drinking and partying together in all sorts of countries. Derek and I shared the same sense of humour—we laughed at the same things. But whenever we talked about Lewis Leathers, I could glimpse the sheer intensity of his passion. It was as if a flickering flame burned deep in his eyes, and I found myself drawn to that flame. My own passion is rock ’n’ roll, and I think we resonated with each other on that level.

One day, Derek made a bold suggestion:

“In the 1980s, when London punk was at its peak, the streets were full of people wearing leather jackets and leather trousers. But now, the only one still rocking that look day in and day out is Guitar Wolf Seiji. That’s why I want to make a leather jacket for you!”

To any kid who wears leather, Lewis Leathers is the ultimate aspiration. I was so overwhelmed by the offer that I didn’t know what to say but of course, I gladly accepted.

It took about two years from the initial concept to completion, but that’s how the Memphis 723 I wear now came to be. It’s a bold, American-style design by Lewis standards, but the shape is actually based on a historic Lewis Leathers pattern. Derek, a collector of vintage Lewis pieces, delved into the brand’s archives and unearthed the design.

The above adverts were all created by Derek. From top: Memphis Jacket No. 723 advert for a Japanese magazine 2018; two Memphis Jacket No. 723L Ladies adverts for an English magazine 2019.

Memphis Jacket No. 723
Memphis Jacket No. 723L Ladies

Around the same time, I started a music festival in my hometown of Shimane Prefecture Shimane Jet Fest. Derek and Saaya came to that too. I’ll never forget the time I popped back to my parents’ place to grab something and found the two of them already inside, having a hilariously disjointed conversation with my mum in a mix of English and Japanese. I was gobsmacked.

I’m writing this now in Barcelona, in the middle of our European tour.

We were here just six months ago on tour, laughing and messing about with Derek and Saaya. We took photos in front of the Sagrada Família and caused a ruckus in a restaurant over paella and Spanish beer.

 

Derek

You seemed to be struggling a bit with walking back then, but you always tried to look cool and pretended everything was fine. I never imagined it would come to this. Meeting up with you was one of the highlights of our European tours, and now that’s been taken away, I feel a strange emptiness—I’m just kind of dazed.

When we video-called the day before you passed, your eyes opened for a moment. I wonder if my face was on screen then. I wonder if you could hear my voice. You always said seeing Seiji gave you energy, so I tried my best to send you every bit of power I had—but I couldn’t get through, and that breaks my heart.

Everyone dies eventually. But I so wanted you to live longer.

The leather jackets you were so passionate about unleash their full power when someone feels that irresistible urge to look cool. You helped so many people embrace that desire and feel cool.

And all of us who got to look cool thanks to you we’re proud of you.

I’ll keep rocking this jacket you made for me, and I’ll keep living loud and proud for the both of us.

Thank you, Derek. It was an honour to know you.

Guitar Wolf Seiji

Derek and Saaya at Guitar Wolf presents Simane Jettfest 2019 © Guitar Wolf @guitarwolf  guitarwolf.net