Just found out that Steve Harley has passed on.
I’m not sure what his legacy will be, if he has one at all, because I am the generation after him.
But I saw him more than once with Dad, so for that I am grateful,.
Steve Harley. You will have to go “up” to see him
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Wasn’t a big fan, but I do remember his show on Radio 2 from my youth in the 90s (or was it 00s? or both) with not a little fondness.
Coinidentally I rediscovered my favourite SH and CR platter again just recently, Tumbling Down – won’t post a vid, cause I’m sure you will know this classic.
And the other thing, when I was much younger, Mr Soft was the theme for the softmints ad in the 80s that’s where I heard this, rather excellent, tune first.
His version of Here Comes The Sun was used as the theme for BBCs Holiday programme (78?).
So, like above, my first hearing of Steve Harley was via TV
Mr Soft! One of the few 45s I bought with my own money! And all Make Me Smile in due course. Saw him live, on his own and also singing lead on one of Rick Wakeman’s tours – think the album being toured was 1984, but I might be wrong…
That’s sad news. Cockney Rebel supported by Be Bop Deluxe was the first gig I went to. I loved it. The next Saturday I was in a record shop in Norwich and they were playing Tumbling Dice which had been a singalong song at the gig. I came out in goose bumps it was so moving (I was 14).
The 4th gig I went to was Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. It wasn’t as good. I was loyal to them far longer than their music deserved.
Their legacy will be Make Me Smile (Come up and see me).
Not one of my faves by a long chalk, but a lovely guy by all accounts, and a staunch supporter of the great Mick Ronson and his legacy. Have great memories of the emotional fundraising concert in 2016 he organised in Ronson’s honour at Hull City Hall, which helped to create the Michael Ronson Music Foundation for young local musicians. So thanks, Steve – you’ll be remembered with great fondness in East Yorkshire.
Whilst with little new, apart from his “hair”, he had been doggedly touring these past 15 years, selling out small venues with ease, with a greatest hits package of some worth. Sometimes solo, more often with various stalwarts accompanying him, acoustic, electric and with occasionally with orchestra. Saw him a few times and always a great night out: here’s one from 2015
I only have a greatest hits and only saw him once, and then its was as a guest in Fairport’s headline slot at Cropredy, but Come Up and See Me is one of the greatest singles ever.
I saw him once too andI think Sebastian is his best song by some distance.
Cockney Rebel played a gig at a Leicester Uni hall of residence back in ‘73. Nobody had heard of them but we all trooped along (all being c 100 or so). There was no stage so they set up in the corner and we all sat on the floor directly in front of them. We came away instant fans – charismatic, interesting songs, folky instruments. Bought the first album and then tbh my interest waned over the next few years but they certainly made an impression on this 19yr old at the time.
It was Digby, wasn’t it? Or that one opposite Gilbert Murray.
The story of Come Up and See Me
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/feb/27/how-we-made-cockney-rebel-make-me-smile-come-up-and-see-me
Make Me Smile was my then girlfriend’s favourite record. It reminds me of joyful, uninhibited dancing.
I’m not going to look into that sausage factory.
Ever played it back to back with Groovy Times by The Clash? ..
Interesting….
I always had a soft spot for the rather moving “All The Men Are Hungry”. Seemed to encapsulate all those missed chances and regrets and slightly elusive memories.
I saw him a coup[le of years ago. Good gig, but he was ageing even then.
Sorry to break this to you, but we all are… all the time
You heartless b’stard!
Well, quite.
Very true, he was on crutches though and had to sit down for the set.
Yup, polio and a broken hip do age one dreadfully…..
My problem was the SH looked like the class bully at school so I’m afraid I rather took against him and imagined SH was not dissimilar in demeanour to the class bully.
My fault and reading the tributes to him from promoters who put him on etc, it seems like I’m in the wrong here.
You quote likely are, but you’re certainly not the only one with irrational musical prejudices.
Our own version of “Gripper” looked like Liam Gallagher crossed with Les Grey. I was like a hippie Roland Browning. It taught me much about working with the potentially violent.
I interviewed him last year for my radio show and he was an absolute delight, slightly against expectations. It didn’t start well when he gently scolded me for describing his latest album as ‘covers’…no, they were ‘interpretations’…but he quickly apologised for being a bit precious and we then got on swimmingly. We went to the subsequent gig in Exeter and he was, again against expectations, absolutely terrific. He had charisma to burn and clearly had a devoted following.
My entire knowledge of the man is that one cracking single, but may I just butt in to say how much I like how you’ve titled the OP?
I would recommend cavaliers compilation.contains the human menagerie and the psychomodo plus various sessions and alternate versions from 73-74.no make me smile though.was also the phantom of the opera on single with Sarah brightman and was hoping to get the lead in the show when it opened but they went with Michael Crawford a more experienced theatre performer.
This is worth 5 minutes of your time….
So… the guitar solo and the “drop-outs” are actually tape manipulation? This has ruined my life. I can’t listen to music that has been messed about with.
I’m always interested in the financial legacy of artists with one big hit. He was asked in an interview how much he made from Come Up. and See Me. He said he received a cheque once a year that would easily keep a family of four.