Cash I made from Viagra advert makes me smile
Singer-songwriter Steve, 69, who found fame in the 70s with Cockney Rebel, talks about how his biggest hit lives on and reveals how he’s bringing live music to fans against the odds
What do you enjoy on TV?
I watch music late at night. I like Sky Arts and I try to find classical stuff or jazz. But I don’t follow many series. My wife Dorothy is hooked on that Nordic noir The Bridge. In the evening I’ll usually go to my office, go through emails and open the first bottle of wine. I’m drinking too much in this lockdown situation!
So you’re not a binge watcher?
No, I’ve got a lively mind. I’m not physically very lively but I’m a bit of a thinker. I’ve just finished reading Seven Pillars Of Wisdom by TE Lawrence. It’s heavy going but it’s so brilliant you read every paragraph twice.
Have you missed touring this year?
I’ve been travelling for 47 years. I’m used to having itineraries and tour managers changing the plan every other day. It’s a mayhem life but I wouldn’t be without it. That’s why I got into this business. I don’t want the reality of retirement.
Have you played any sociallydistanced gigs?
We played three outdoor concerts in September, including the Gisburne Park festival in the Ribble Valley. The stage had a tributary of the river running in front of it. Across the water, the crowd sat at tables in their bubbles. It was very civilised, people were glad to get out and hear some live music.
Are you proud your song Make Me Smile was used in an ad for Viagra?
It’s as subtle as an earthquake – “Come up and see me” – but I liked it. It wasn’t taking itself seriously. When my publisher told me what they’d agreed to pay, I said, ‘Let me think about it for a little while… Yes’. I asked Bryan Adams and asked him, ‘Do you think it’s like prostituting your product?’ and he said, ‘Hell no! It’s just a song doing its job’.
Tell us about your latest album, Uncovered…
I recorded it with my acoustic band last summer and it was released in February. We did nine shows in February and March just before lockdown and we’ve postponed 60 shows this year. We just want a date now. We want to know when we can get back on the road again.
You’re also appearing on new online show That Was Then… This Is Now – what can viewers expect?
It’s a new music show from Mike Stock of Stock Aitken Waterman and Mike Read’s presenting it. I think it’s a great idea because there’s no music TV any more, only the Jools Holland programme. I’ve learnt in the past eight months that people really love live music. Some people go to 20 or 30 gigs a year and this is like seeing a live show. For info on That Was Then… This Is Now, visit thisisnow.tv Steve’s new album Uncovered is out now
‘I don’t follow many series. I’ll go to my office and open the first bottle of wine. I drink too much in lockdown’ Steve Harley