Cockney Rebel star dies after cancer battle

Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley has died “peacefully at home” at the age of 73, his family has announced.

The musician rose to prominence in the 1970s with the rock band, best known for their hit Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), and also performed on the title track for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical Phantom Of The Opera.

Harley had been touring last year, but was forced to cancel dates in November and December as he underwent treatment for a“nasty cancer ”. a statement from his daughter Greta said he had “passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side”.

“The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him,” the statement said. “His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren.”

“Stephen. steve. dad. grand ar. Steve Harley. Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. and much more, in abundance”

She said the family knew the musician, who lived with his wife dorothy, with whom he had two children, would be“desperately missed by people all over the world”.

Clockwise from main: Steve Harley in 1976; Cockney Rebel, when they were top of the charts with Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) in 1975; Harley during a recording of a charity single for the Jo Cox Foundation

Sir Rod Stewart said he was “absolutely devastated” following the death of Harley. The Cockney Rebel frontman had helped to write a number of songs for Sir Rod and the former Faces frontman covered Harley’s song, A Friend For Life, which featured on his 2015 studio album Another Country.

Sir Rod said in a statement: ““Absolutely devastated, words fail me. The Cockney Rebel has left us. Loved you and admired you Steve and always will.”

Pop band Duran Duran covered Cockney Rebel’s most famous song and bassist John Taylor thanked Harley for the music and “good vibes”.

He said: “Man, Cockney

Rebel were awesome, first two albums – perfection. Then the number one pop song ‘Come Up And See Me’ took Harley to the mainstream.

“We were so lucky to have him guest with us on that song … the moment Steve entered was truly chilling, and I still remember it today. An amazing moment.

“Thanks Steve for the music and your good vibes. We shall miss you.”

In a post on his official website on Christmas Eve, Harley wished his fans a “happy, healthy new year” as he revealed his 2023 had been a tale of two halves.

He said the first half had been “often magical” as he got to play on stage in europe with his band members, saying “out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive”.

But he said the later half had been “heart-breaking” as they had to cancel live show dates, with a previous statement revealing he was undergoing a medical procedure and would then need a period of recuperation. “I’m fighting a nasty cancer,” he said.

Singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who worked with Harley on a number of songs including 1983’s Ballerina (Prima Donna) and 1988 charity single whatever You Believe, hailed the musician as a“dear pal” and“lovely guy”. “What a talent, what a character,” he said.

What a talent. What a character. What a lovely guy Mike Batt