UK

‘Devastated’ Rod Stewart leads tributes to Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley

Steve Harley, best known for being the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel, has died at the age of 73, his family has said.

The English singer and songwriter was receiving treatment for cancer.

“We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and father has passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side,” his family said in a statement on his Facebook page.

Undated handout photo issued by That Was Then...This Is Now of Steve Harley performing as part of the new show, an online on demand TV music show featuring performances and Q&As with various artists.
Image:
Pic: PA

“The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren.

“Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance.”

Harley’s family said they knew the singer would be “desperately missed by people all over the world”.

The band is famous for hits including Make Me Smile, which went to number one in the UK charts in 1975, and Here Comes The Sun.

More from UK

Earlier this year, Harley was forced to say he could not commit to any concerts in 2024 due to ill health.

He had previously cancelled shows scheduled for spring and autumn of this year.

In a Facebook post at Christmas, he said cancelling the shows were “heartbreaking” and gave an update on hs treatment.

He also thanked fans for their support and “touching messages”, adding: “It means more than I can tell.”

Cockney Rebel began in the early 1970s in London. The original line-up was made up of Harley, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Articles You May Like

‘IVF can be prohibitively expensive’: Joy star James Norton on story of first ‘test-tube baby’
Energy bills ‘to rise again from January’ but spring falls ‘to come’
Water companies blocked from using customer cash for ‘undeserved’ bonuses
US funeral home owners plead guilty to corpse abuse
Nvidia erases premarket losses as sentiment shifts on earnings beat