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Steve Harley

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (February 27, 1951-March 17, 2024)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Birth name was Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice
    Led Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel
    With Cockney Rebel, recorded the singles ‘Judy Teen’ (1974), ‘Mr. Soft’ (1974), ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)’ (1975), and ‘Here Comes the Sun’ (1976)
    Dueted with Sarah Brightman on ‘Phantom of the Opera’ (1986)

Why he might be annoying:

    He busked in the London Underground while waiting for his big break.
    Three of the four original members of Cockney Rebel quit when he refused to let them contribute to the songwriting.
    His biggest hit, ‘Make Me Smile,’ was used in ads for Marks & Spencer, Furniture Village, and Viagra.
    While singing ‘Make Me Smile’ on Top of the Pops, he forgot most of the lyrics to the second and third verses due to jet lag.
    After five months of rehearsing for the musical ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ he was replaced by Michael Crawford (1986).
    He was fined £1,000 for driving 30 mph over the speed limit (2014)

Why he might not be annoying:

    He contracted polio at age two, which required several hospitalizations growing up and two major surgeries at ages twelve and fifteen.
    He eventually completed his high school education by taking his A-level exams in English (1987).
    He was a presenter for the BBC radio program ‘The Sounds of the Seventies.’ (1999-2008)
    He became an ambassador for the Mines Advisory Group charity and led a fundraising trek around Cambodia (2002).
    ’Make Me Smile’ is one of the most-played songs on British radio and re-entered the British singles chart four times.

Credit: C. Fishel


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