LONDON β Steve Harley, a British musician whose glam-rock band Cockney Rebel had an enduring hit with the song βMake Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),β has died. He was 73.
Harleyβs family said Sunday that he had βpassed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.β Harley said late last year he was being treated for βa nasty cancer.β
Recommended Videos
Born in London in 1951, Harley spent almost four years of his childhood hospitalized after contracting polio, periods during which he began reading and writing poetry. He worked as a trainee accountant and as journalist on local newspapers, and began his performing career at London folk clubs.
He formed Cockney Rebel, which released a debut album, βThe Human Menagerie,β in 1973 before foundering over creative differences. With a new lineup and rebranded as Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, the band released the 1975 album βThe Best Years of Our Lives,β which contained Harleyβs biggest hit.
With its barbed lyrics β aimed at Harleyβs former bandmates -- and infectiously catchy chorus, the Alan Parsons-produced βMake Me Smileβ topped the U.K. singles chart. It went on to be covered scores of times and was used on countless soundtracks, including in the 1997 film βThe Full Montyβ and in ads for Carlsberg beer, department store Marks and Spencer and Viagra.
Harley also sang the title song of Andrew Lloyd Webberβs musical βThe Phantom of the Operaβ alongside Sarah Brightman when it was released as a single in 1986. He was originally cast in the title role for the stage musical, but was replaced by Michael Crawford.
Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, who produced Harleyβs 1982 track βI Canβt Even Touch You,β called him a βtrue βworking musician.ββ
βHe toured until he could tour no more, playing his songs for fans old and new,β Ure wrote on social media. βMy thoughts go out to Dorothy and his family at this very sad time. Our songs live on longer than we ever can.β
Harley is survived by his wife Dorothy, children Kerr and Greta and four grandchildren. The family said in a statement that they knew he would be βdesperately missed by people all over the world.β