Following a battle with cancer which forced Harley had to pull out of his recent UK tour, the former Cockney Rebel frontman has died at the age of 73…
OBITUARY By Ian Woolley
Harley had to pull out of his recent tour to undergo treatment after discovering he had cancer and poor health blighted him all his life after suffering polio as a child. Despite the setbacks, he continued to do what he loved doing: perform for his fans, and write new material.
The June 2023 issue of the Beat
Last year, I caught up with him during one of his intimate acoustic gigs in London. The resulting interview appeared in our June issue of the Beat, where he made our front cover*.
Celebrating 50 years of being in the music business, his songs have gone on to sell and probably the one the band are most famous for ‘Come Up And See Me (Make Me Smile)” is still used heavily in advertising today.
The song has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and 25 million hits on Spotify.
After asking him at the time he classed himself as a rebel, Steve told me, “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, but 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.”
Schoolboy Steve Harley (1961)
Harley achieved one of his dreams to perform with singer Eddi Reader recently on a few shows and they recorded a track “Star Of Belle Isle” on his recent “Uncovered” album.
Harley was also a supporter of our Rock Against Cancer festivals, where he appeared several times, even auctioning his favourite Taylor guitar, raising over ten thousand pounds.
Recently, on social media, he said: “2023 has not exactly been an annus horribilis for me, as the first half was often magical, with some great nights on stage with Barry, Oli and David. And the full rock band in Holland and Belgium, and Denmark….out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive. The second half, well…cancelling Live dates is heartbreaking. I’m aware of the stress and financial strain it can place on you.”
“But I’m fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is pleased with the treatment’s effects so far. It’s tiresome and tiring. But the fight is on. And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings.”
He died Sunday morning at his Surrey home surrounded by his family and wife of 42 years, Dorothy.
In a recent statement on his official Facebook page, they announced –