Rock Icon Steve Harley, Cockney Rebel Frontman, Passes Away at 73

Steve Harley, rock icon and frontman of Cockney Rebel, has died today at the age of 73. The English musician passed away "peacefully" in his home in Suffolk this morning after a short battle with cancer, his family said. Harley had started a new tour, but had been forced to cancel shows last month for treatment. In a statement, Steve's daughter, Greta, said her father will "desperately" be missed by fans around the world. Steve Harley became famous with Cockney Rebel in the 70s, particularly with the single "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)", which reached the top of the UK Chart in 1975, remaining one of the evergreens of British pop. Last October, Harley announced the cancellation of the Steve Harley Acoustic Band shows that were supposed to take place in January 2024 due to his cancer treatment. At Christmas, he posted a message on his website saying: "2023 has not exactly been an annus horribilis for me, as the first part was often magical, with beautiful evenings on stage with Barry, Oli, and David. And the whole rock band in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark... out there, on the road, that's where I come to life. The second half, well... cancelling live dates is heartbreaking. I am aware of the stress and financial strain it can cause you. But I am fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is pleased with the effects of the treatment so far. It's tiring and exhausting. But the fight is on. And luckily the damn intruder does not affect the voice. I sing and play almost every night." Harley's team said in February that the singer hoped he would improve next year. The musician, originally from London, lived in Essex with his wife Dorothy, with whom he had two children.