ROCK icon Steve Harley – best known for his 1975 hit Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) – has died aged 73.
The Cockney Rebel musician died “peacefully” at home in Suffolk on Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer, his family announced.
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Rock icon Steve Harley – best known for his 1975 hit ‘Make Me Smile’ – dies aged 73 Credit: Redferns
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Steve Harley rose to fame with Cockney Rebel in the 1970s Credit: Getty
He was still on tour but was forced to cancel shows last month to undergo treatment.
In a statement, Steve’s family said their dad will be “desperately missed” by fans around the world.
They said: “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and father has passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
“The song of the birds from his forest that he loved so much sang for him. His home was filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren.
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“Stephen. Steve. Dad. Grandar. Steve Harley. Whoever you knew, his heart exuded only the essential elements.
“Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance.
“We know he will be sorely missed by people around the world and we ask that you respectfully allow us our privacy to grieve.”
Tributes have flooded in following Steve’s death.
Kevin Brennan, Labor MP for Cardiff West, said: “RIP Steve Harley – he very kindly sang at Jo Cox’s MP4 charity record just 7 years ago – and stayed all day to talk to the choir and everyone involved.”
While Corrie actor Michael Warburton paid tribute to Xu by sharing a video of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel performing Make Me Smile.
In October, the Steve Harley Acoustic Band said that a series of shows in January would be canceled as Steve recovered from a medical procedure.
At Christmas, the singer said it was “heartbreaking” to have his tour called off as he revealed he was battling “nasty” cancer.
He added: “My oncologist is satisfied with the results of the treatment so far. It is tiring and tiring.
“But the fight goes on. And luckily the damned intruder doesn’t affect my voice. I sing and play most nights.”
In February, Steve’s management announced that his ongoing treatment meant he could not commit to any concerts in 2024.
Thanking fans for their support, they said the Make Me Smile legend “hopes next year will be completely different”.
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel from London rose to fame in the early 1970s covering a range of styles from pop to prog rock.
They had five albums that reached the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles on the UK Singles Chart.
The original band consisted of Harley, bassist Paul Jeffreys, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott and guitarist Nick Jones.
Jeffreys and his wife were killed on their honeymoon in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing while aboard Pan Am Flight 103.
Steve is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and two children, Kerr and Greta.
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