Steve Harley, greatest recognized for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Insurgent, has died on the age of 73.
The English singer and songwriter was receiving therapy for most cancers.
“We’re devastated to announce that our fantastic husband and father has handed away peacefully at residence, together with his household by his facet,” his spouse, Dorothy, and youngsters, Kerr and Greta mentioned in an announcement.
Pic: PA
“The birdsong from his woodland that he cherished a lot was singing for him. His residence has been crammed with the sounds and laughter of his 4 grandchildren.
“Stephen. Steve. Dad. Grandar. Steve Harley. Whoever him as, his coronary heart exuded solely core components. Ardour, kindness, generosity. And far more, in abundance.”
Harley’s household mentioned they knew the singer can be “desperately missed by individuals all around the world”.
Cockney Insurgent is greatest recognized for hits together with Make Me Smile, which went to primary within the UK charts in 1975, and Right here Comes The Solar.
Earlier this 12 months, Harley was compelled to say he couldn’t decide to any concert events in 2024 on account of in poor health well being.
He had beforehand cancelled reveals scheduled for spring and autumn of this 12 months.
In a Fb put up in December, when saying his most cancers prognosis, he mentioned cancelling the reveals had been “heartbreaking” and gave an replace on his therapy.
Steve Harley in 1974. Pic: David Stevens/ANL/Shutterstock
He additionally thanked followers for his or her help and “touching messages”, including: “It means greater than I can inform.”
Scottish musician Midge Ure hailed Harley as a “true ‘working musician'” in a tribute this afternoon.
Ure, who produced Harley’s 1982 observe I Cannot Even Contact You, mentioned in a social media put up: “Steve Harley was a real ‘working musician’.
“He toured till he might tour no extra, taking part in his songs for followers outdated and new.
“My ideas exit to Dorothy and his household at this very unhappy time. Our songs stay on longer than we ever can.”
Steve Harley in 2016 throughout a recording of a charity single for the Jo Cox Basis. Pic: PA
In the meantime, singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who labored with Harley on a number of songs, described the musician as a “pricey pal” and “beautiful man”.
The pair labored collectively on tracks together with Ballerina (Prima Donna) launched in 1983 and had been joined by Sure lead singer Jon Anderson for the 1988 charity single No matter You Consider.
“Oh no! My pricey pal, Steve Harley has died,” Batt posted on X.
“I simply discovered on Twitter. I used to be simply writing about him yesterday in my autobiography.
“What a expertise. What a personality. What a beautiful man. My condolences to Dorothy and all. RIP, mate.”
Born in southeast London in 1951, he spent virtually 4 years in hospital as a toddler after contracting polio.
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He joined the Each day Specific as a trainee accountant aged 17 earlier than working as a journalist for a number of regional newspapers together with the East London Advertiser.
Cockney Insurgent started within the early Seventies in London after Harley spent a number of years acting at people golf equipment within the metropolis.
The band – after present process a number of line-up modifications – launched their debut studio album, The Human Menagerie, in 1973 and adopted it up with 1994’s The Psychomodo which went to quantity eight within the UK charts.
Steve Harley (centre) and Cockney Insurgent in 1975. Pic: PA
The band regrouped and altered its title to Steve Harley and Cockney Insurgent and it was underneath this moniker they launched a string of albums together with 1975’s The Greatest Years Of Our Lives, which peaked at quantity 4.
Their greatest hit Make Me Smile has offered round 1.5 million copies and has been coated greater than 120 occasions, together with by Robbie Williams and Duran Duran, in line with the Official Charts, in addition to being featured in movies together with The Full Monty.
Harley additionally loved a solo profession from 1977 onwards and wrote for different artists, together with his good friend Sir Rod Stewart.
He went on to current the BBC Radio 2 present Sounds Of The 70s from 1999 to 2008.
