An old clip of Steve Harley discussing the inspiration behind his hit song Make Me Smile has resurfaced after the star’s tragic death aged 73.
The English singer and songwriter was best known for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel.
He died at his Suffolk home on Sunday morning following a short battle with cancer – after pausing his current tour last month to undergo treatment.
As fans voiced their sadness at his sudden passing, old videos of Steve re-emerged, including one from October 2010, where the musician spoke about his motivation to write his most well-known track Make Me Smile.
Speaking to The One Show, Steve explained that he wrote the 1975 song after the original Cockney Rebel disbanded.
An old clip of Steve Harley discussing the inspiration behind his hit song Make Me Smile has resurfaced after the star’s tragic death aged 73 (pictured 2015)
The English singer and songwriter was best known for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel (pictured in 1989)
He died at his Suffolk home on Sunday morning following a short battle with cancer – after pausing his current tour last month to undergo treatment (seen in 2020)
He recalled he was ‘in distress’ and needed an outlet for the emotions, admitting that he was ‘being b****y’.
Cockney Rebel were a rock band that gained success in the early 1970s in London, whose music covered a range of styles from pop to progressive rock.
Over the years they had five albums in the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart.
The original band was made up of Steve, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.
But, in July 1974, the original lineup disbanded, after the other bandmembers approached Steve and insisted they wanted to also write songs for the band.
However, Steve, who was the band’s sole songwriter, argued this was unfair as he had hired the musicians in the first place, and explained the deal to them at the time.
The band split, with Steve then assembling a new line-up later in the year, with only drummer, Stuart, remaining.
In 2002, Steve revealed that he then wrote Make Me Smile only days after the split, directed to his former bandmates, feeling as though they had abandoned him.
As fans voiced their sadness at his sudden passing, old videos of Steve re-emerged, including one from October 2010, where the musician spoke about his motivation to write his most well-known track Make Me Smile (pictured in 1974)
Steve explained that he wrote the 1975 song after the original Cockney Rebel disbanded, saying he was ‘in distress’ and needed an outlet for the emotions, while admitting that he was ‘being b****y’
He later added that the first verse was likely written at four in the morning, after he drank a bottle of brandy while feeling sorry for himself.
Opening up about writing the song and his motivations in the resurfaced interview with The One Show, Steve called the lyrics, ‘a finger-pointing piece of vengeful poetry.’
‘It’s getting off my chest how I felt about the guys splitting up a perfectly workable machine. I wrote it saying “Look, you’ll learn how well we’re doing here, we’re doing well, why are you doing this?’”
Steve recalled: ‘Three of them came to me in a little posse with several ultimatums. They wanted to write songs for the third album, and I said “Well you know I started the band, and I auditioned you, and I told you the deal at the time. We’re not moving the goal posts here.”
‘They knew this, and they came to me demanding that they could write songs too, and I just said “Well go and do it then”.
When the interviewer asked if he had hoped they would return after hearing the song, he replied: ‘No it was b****y. I was being b****y and it wasn’t nice and I’m not proud of it.’
He then smirked and then recanted: ‘Of course I am.’
Steve based the song on an unused previous track he had penned called Laid in the Shade, that he later said was ‘absolute rubbish’ but felt ‘the tune worked’.
Opening up about writing the song and his motivations in the resurfaced interview with The One Show, Steve called the lyrics, ‘a finger-pointing piece of vengeful poetry’
Steve based the song on an unused previous track he had penned called Laid in the Shade, that he later said was ‘absolute rubbish’ but felt ‘the tune worked’
He developed it to be much slower and darker and wrote new lyrics to reflect his feelings at the time.
Steve said: ‘The mood was quite dark, it was a slow, moody bluesy piece. I was in distress, there’s no doubt at all.
‘But out of adversity, I had to talk about it, I had to write about it. I had to say these things, I had to get it off my chest.’
It comes after Steve’s passing was announced on Sunday, with his daughter Greta revealing he had ‘passed away peacefully at home’.
She added: ‘We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world.’
Last month, Steve’s official social media page made a statement saying: ‘Due to on-going treatment for cancer, Steve cannot commit to any concerts in 2024.
‘Steve is hoping next year will be altogether different. He appreciates all you kind words and good wishes. Team SH.’
Last October he announced the cancellation of the Steve Harley Acoustic Band shows that were scheduled to take place in January 2024 due to undergoing a medical procedure followed by a ‘period of recuperation’.
It comes after Steve’s passing was announced on Sunday, with his daughter Greta revealing he had ‘passed away peacefully at home’
At Christmas he sent a message on his website as he told how cancelling tour dates was ‘heartbreaking’ but that he was fighting a ‘nasty’ cancer
Then at Christmas he sent a message on his website as he told how cancelling tour dates was ‘heartbreaking’ but that he was fighting a ‘nasty’ cancer.
He said: ‘2023 has not exactly been an annus horribilis for me, as the first half was often magical, with some great nights on stage with Barry, Oli and David. And the full rock band in Holland and Belgium, and Denmark….out there, on the road, that’s where I come alive.
‘The second half, well…cancelling Live dates is heartbreaking. I’m aware of the stress and financial strain it can place On you.
‘But I’m fighting a nasty cancer. My oncologist is pleased with the treatment’s effects so far. It’s tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on. And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings.’
After announcing a break from his tour his fans were quick to send him well wishes under the post.
One penned: ‘All the best with your treatment Steve, here’s hoping for a full recovery.’
Another commented: ‘Hope you feel better soon, sending love to you and yours.’
A third wrote: ‘Sending positive thoughts your way. Best wishes to you and your family.’
He enjoyed a brief stint as a solo artist before the band regrouped in April 1990 after the success of Harley’s 1989 tour
Steve enjoyed a brief stint as a solo artist before Cockney Rebel regrouped in April 1990 after the success of Harley’s 1989 tour.
From 1999 to 2008, Steve presented the BBC 2 radio show, Sounds of the 70s. Tony Blackburn has since hosted the show since 2017.
After his death on Sunday was announced fans took to social media to express their sadness.
One penned: ‘R.i.P….Steve Harley…another one.’
A second wrote: ‘Brilliant musician and great story teller. Fab live performer and regular at Kenney Jones’s Rock ‘n’ Horsepower festivals.’
A third poignantly penned: ‘And God said, ‘Come up and see me, make me smile.’ So he did. Rest in peace.’
This post first appeared on Daily mail
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