Steve Harley, the iconic leader of the British glam rock group Cockney Rebel, passed away at the age of 73 due to cancer.
His family shared on Sunday that he departed this world peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. Late last year, Harley revealed he was battling a severe form of cancer.
One of his most celebrated tracks, “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” soared to the top of the UK charts in 1975.
In addition to his music career, Harley lent his voice to the title track of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” with Sarah Brightman when it was released as a single in 1986. Initially cast in the lead role for the stage production, he was later replaced by Michael Crawford.
From 1999 to 2008, Harley was the voice behind “Sounds of the ’70s” on BBC Radio 2.
Born in London in 1951, Harley faced a challenging childhood, spending nearly four years in the hospital after contracting polio.
He went on to form Cockney Rebel, releasing their debut album, “The Human Menagerie,” in 1973. Following a change in the band’s lineup, they released “The Best Years of Our Lives” in 1975, featuring Harley’s most famous hit.
Even in January, the musician continued to tour.
He leaves behind his wife, Dorothy, and two children, Kerr and Greta.