​by Mick the Ram

Musician and singer Steve Harley from the 1970’s British glam rock act Cockney Rebel, has died at the age of 73.

His family posted the sad news on social media, saying he had passed away peacefully at home with his loved ones by his side.

Although no actual cause was given, he had let it be known that he was receiving treatment last year for what he described as a “nasty cancer”.

He is probably best known for his band’s massive hit “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)” released in 1975 and covered many times over ever since.

In 1986, the hugely talented performer teamed up with singer Sarah Brightman and recorded the original Phantom of the Opera for the musical of the same name, by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

He’d still been touring right up to January of this year, but just last month he had announced that he would be stepping away for a time due to “on-going medical treatment”.

Tributes poured in from massive names in the industry, including the likes of: Midge Ure, Boy George and Sir Rod Stewart.

Illness affected childhood

Steve Harley was born in London in 1951 and spent almost four years of his childhood hospitalized after contracting polio. It was his mother, who sang jazz and swing in the 1940’s, who introduced him to the music scene. 

He formed his band Cockney Rebel and released the debut album, The Human Menagerie, in 1973.

Several line-up changes occurred before the album The Best Years of Our Lives came out in 1975 and it was on this that his most famous track first was heard.

“Make Me Smile” didn’t go down particularly well in the States, but in the UK it was a smash hit, reaching the number one slot and subsequently it was covered by artists such as Duran Duran (as the B-side on their “The Reflex” single), Erasure, and Suzy Quatro. The track also featured in movie The Full Monty.

Family statement

His heartbroken family called Steve a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, when announcing the terrible news on a Facebook post. They said they had all been by his side and acknowledged that they knew he would be desperately missed by countless friends and devoted fans all over the world, but asked to be “respectfully allowed privacy to grieve.”

They did add in the post that “The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him” and remarked: “His heart exuded only core elements: passion, kindness, generosity, and much more, in abundance.”

Continuing they said that he had taken enormous comfort from all of his fans’ well wishes during his battle, and said they knew he would want to thank everyone for their love and support throughout his career, and especially “during his battle to the end.”

Tributes

Midge Ure, the Ultravox frontman, who did production work for Steve Harley in the 1980’s called him a “true ‘working musician” in reference to the fact that he toured for as long as he possibly could, adding that “our songs live on longer than we ever can.”

Boy George wrote that he cried when he heard the news, describing Steve as “one of my heroes; such an amazing songwriter”.

John Taylor, the bassist from Duran Duran recalled the day when the great man guested on their cover of “Make Me Smile”. He said “The moment Steve entered was truly chilling, and I still remember it today; it was such an amazing moment.”

Sir Rod Stewart was “absolutely devastated” at the news. In a statement he added: “Words fail me – The Cockney Rebel has left us. Loved you and admired you Steve and always will.”

He made us smile

The hugely talented artist made many millions smile… RIP Steve Harley.