Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year and the celebratory shows were such a joy that Steve is once more on the acoustic road to mark ‘50 Years A Rebel’…
By Ian Woolley
The Times wrote, in a profile marking this half-century, that signature hit ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)’, “Remains one of the most beloved songs of the modern age”. For Steve, life on the road is more than just a job: it is almost his life’s blood.
It was back in 1976 when I first went to my first-ever gig in Cardiff to see Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.
“I remember it well” Steve informs me. “I had my £30k guitar stolen from the dressing room! “You haven’t got it”? he asks me.
50 Years a Rebel. Would you call yourself a rebel?
“Three or four years ago, Q magazine ended up by saying that Steve Harley is neither a cockney nor a rebel. I don’t read much about myself but when I do it’s water off a duck’s back but I actually wrote to this guy which I’ve never done before. My office wrote to him and said Steve wishes you all the best but wants you to know that Neil Young was neither crazy nor a horse and left it at that.”
Steve Harley (1976)
“I’m not a rebel. I’ve got four grandchildren and live in an ex-coach house in the countryside in Suffolk. I am difficult to pin down and committees do my head in. I’m not a regular guy, definitely not and I know that. I can be difficult because my head spins half the time with songs and that. You don’t want to be in there because it can be crazy.”
Who would have thought that Viagra would aid your pension plan? “Well, it’s more than just Viagra (Steve laughs) now there’s BMW if you go online. My fans have been saying that “Make Me Smile” has been my pension plan for the last 20 years and they are not far out really.”
To date, the song has had over 2 million copies sold worldwide and 25 million hits on Spotify.
I asked him if there were any singers down the years that he’d loved to have been on stage with or even record with.
“Not share a stage as I don’t want to be with other people but I shared the stage with one of my idols a short while ago…Eddi Reader. We had her join us for two shows with a string quartet and gospel singers last year. She’s a dream and she’s duetted with me on my recent “Uncovered” album on the track “Star Of Belle Isle”. Like all gifted people, she is very talented and a sweetheart too. I also don’t like to compose with other people as I like to ‘plough my own furrow’ if you like.”
Uncovered
His recent 2019 “Uncovered” album includes two tracks from Steve “(Love) Compared With You” and “Only You”. The nine other songs are his interpretations of others. Songs that he admires and wished he’d written. Collaborators on the album include Martin Simpson, Eddi Reader and former Cockney Rebel member Jim Cregan.
Steve stills enjoys playing live.
“I love it and I’m doing a song tonight “Stranger Comes To Town” that we only rehearsed yesterday in a new key so I don’t have to shout it anymore. The song takes on a whole new atmosphere as I can explain the lyrics and tell the story much better. Do you know there are only three recognisable plots it you write a story or play or movie and one is when a stranger comes to town? When you think about it any Hitchcock or Western will have their lives affected when a stranger comes to town.”
Harley’s latest acoustic shows include songs from the vast and eclectic Harley Songbook. “Mr Soft”, “Judy Teen”, “Sebastian” and the legendary “Make Me Smile” as well (as Steve puts it) interpretations of his favourite songs. If you haven’t heard his latest version of “Mr.Soft”, then you are missing out on a treat.
Is he going to record it I asked him.
“I’m planning to. I don’t get my songs played on Radio Two anymore but I think my gypsy jazz version of “Mr.Soft” may nudge a few people up there into playing it.” I have to agree.
His present touring lineup has worked with him for some time now and includes talented violinist Barry Wickens, guitarist David Dillarre and Oli Hayhurst on double bass. There’s even one song written about one of his fans. She has been coming to a lot of my gigs now for a long time and she does this crazy dancing.
“Do you think I should I tell her?” he asks the audience.
On seeing his Pizza Express Live show in Holborn recently, the depth of feeling that Harley puts into each song creates an incredibly emotional atmosphere. You tend to hang on to his every word and feel the passion of the singer. The backing musicians complement his voice perfectly.
His old Cockney Rebel fans are in for a treat.
Steve has just announced he’ll be doing a 67-date ‘Come Up And See Me…and Other Stories‘ in an Audience With UK tour where he’ll be accompanied by Barry Wickens. Steve will be sharing his anecdotes (many never shared in public before) accompanied by Barry on guitar and violin.
For details about his current acoustic tour and ‘an audience with’ dates when they are announced, go to his website HERE
Read the full interview in the June issue of the Beat or listen to the live podcast HERE. Steve talks in depth about his childhood health problems, his friend Marc Bolan, his love of McCartney’s songwriting and the secrets of a happy marriage.
Order your copy today.