Steve Harley

Steve Harley is an English rock singer and songwriter from Deptford, London. Born Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice in 1951, he dies in 2024. He is best known as the frontman of Cockney Rebel, later billed as Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.

Early life and formation

Harley grows up in the New Cross area of London and attends Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College. His music career begins in the late 1960s, when he busks with John Crocker and performs his own songs. In 1972 he forms Cockney Rebel with Crocker, who plays fiddle, mandolin and guitar. The line-up is completed by drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and keyboard player Milton Reame-James.

The group signs to EMI after only five gigs. Their debut single, “Sebastian”, becomes a success in Europe, although it does not chart in the UK. Their first album, The Human Menagerie, appears in 1973 and is arranged by Andrew Powell, who is suggested to the band by their record company.

Cockney Rebel and chart success

Harley’s early work with the band is marked by theatrical stage presentation, elaborate costumes and a strong cult following. The group is notable for having no regular lead guitarist, which is unusual for the period. Harley’s public image also attracts criticism from parts of the music press, even as the records receive strong reviews.

Alan Parsons co-produces the single “Judy Teen”, which reaches number 5 in the UK. Parsons also co-produces The Psychomodo, released in 1974. After that album, Harley reorganises the backing band, leaving Stuart Elliott as the only remaining member from the earlier line-up. The next singles include “Mr. Soft” and “Big Big Deal”.

In 1975, The Best Years of Our Lives is issued under the name Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. Duncan Mackay joins on keyboards and helps shape the band’s sound. The album includes “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)”, which becomes Harley’s best-known hit. Around this time he tours the United States supporting The Kinks. A US compilation, A Closer Look, is later assembled from the period when the band is credited simply as Cockney Rebel.

Later 1970s work

Subsequent singles “Black or White” and “White White Dove” do not chart. Harley then releases Timeless Flight and later Love’s a Prima Donna, which moves further towards a blend of pop and classical elements. The album’s version of “Here Comes the Sun” becomes a UK Top Ten single in 1976.

Harley contributes vocals to The Alan Parsons Project’s 1977 album I Robot, performing “The Voice”. He later records a long English tour, and the live performances lead to the double album Face to Face (A Live Recording). By the time it is released, Cockney Rebel has already ended. Harley then spends time in California intending to write and record new material, using a group of American session musicians before completing the album at Abbey Road Studios. Marc Bolan plays guitar on “Amerika the Brave”, but dies before the final release.

Further releases in this period include Hobo With a Grin and The Candidate. The single “Star for a Week” also known as “Dino”, from the shelved comeback project, reaches the charts. “Freedom’s Prisoner”, taken from The Candidate, does well in Germany. EMI then issues The Best of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel at the end of 1980.

1980s and 1990s

In 1981 Harley marries Dorothy Cromby. He also takes part in the stage production Conspiracy, playing Christopher Marlowe, and forms a new band. In 1982 he releases “I Can’t Even Touch You” and EMI reissues The Human Menagerie/The Psychomodo as a double set.

In 1986 he appears in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera alongside Sarah Brightman. The title single is released in January 1986. That year also brings a remixed version of “Irresistible / Lucky Man”; Midge Ure plays guitar on the UK B-side “Lucky Man”. An album made under the title El Gran Senor is completed but not released. “Sophistication”, from that period, later appears on Anytime! (A Live Set).

Previously unreleased material appears on Yes You Can in 1992. The album includes older songs and new recordings, with contributions from Stuart Elliott, Jim Cregan and Duncan Mackay. Harley tours Europe in 1992 and 1993, and later releases Poetic Justice in 1996.

Later solo work and touring

Harley continues to tour Europe, often performing older material with some newer songs and frequently accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. This touring activity leads to live releases including Stripped to the Bare Bones - Live and Acoustic From the Jazz Café, London and Acoustic and Pure - Live, the latter again featuring Jim Cregan. The Quality of Mercy appears in 2005. He also features as a guest artist on Dossche’s Ich bin Gott.

For his 2006 Anthology tour, Stuart Elliott returns as part of the backing band. Harley tours the UK in 2008 with supporting artist Simon Le Fort. He releases the studio album Stranger Comes to Town in 2010, tours Australia with guitarist Joe Matera in 2012, and issues Uncovered in 2020, which includes “I’ve Just Seen a Face”.

Style and associations

Harley’s work is associated with rock, glam rock and pop. His recordings are issued through labels including Comeuppance Ltd, and his career includes collaborations with Alan Parsons, Andrew Powell, Marc Bolan, Sarah Brightman, Midge Ure, Jim Cregan, Duncan Mackay, Simon Le Fort and Joe Matera.