Steve Harley

Steve Harley, known for his theatrical vocal style and impressionistic lyrics, led the British rock band Cockney Rebel, blending glam rock, art rock, and pop. His biggest hit, "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)," from 1975's The Best Years of Our Lives, solidified his cult figure status in British rock.

Born in London in 1951, Harley survived a severe case of polio in his youth, later becoming a voracious reader and musician. Forming Cockney Rebel in 1972, the band saw success with hits like "Sebastian" and "Judy Teen." Despite internal conflicts, Harley's solo career flourished, releasing albums like Timeless Flight and Love's a Prima Donna. His involvement in various projects, like co-writing for Rod Stewart and performing in The Phantom of the Opera, cemented his place in the music industry. Harley's later years were marked by solo work, tours, and a resurgence in the early 2000s with albums like The Quality of Mercy and A Stranger Comes to Town, before his passing in 2024.