Melbourne busker subjected to brutal, unprovoked attack

A 56-year-old busker has been bashed outside a supermarket in Melbourne's north-east in an unprovoked attack.

However, the incident has not deterred Harry Williams from performing on the streets.

Mr Williams was performing outside Foodworks supermarket on Waterdale Road in Heidelberg West when an unknown man began verbally abusing him.

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The man then went and did his shopping before he physically attacked Mr Williams.

"He pounded me in the head about five times," Mr Williams told 9News.

"I had nowhere to go, I was up against the wall, so I tried to protect myself."

CCTV footage has confirmed Mr William's version of events, but is too confronting to share.

First Constable Stephen Rose said the "very violent" incident was "a callous act".

Mr Williams has said he is used to abuse after performing on the streets for more than 17 years, but has called the moment recent incident tragic.

"Those sorts of people should be off the streets and put away," he said.

He suspects his attacker may have been drug-affected.

Police are searching for the man, who is described as Caucasian and aged 30 to 40 with a medium build.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, black hat and black shoes.