70s rock superstar coming to Harrogate Theatre soon

A rock superstar who is coming to Harrogate Theatre shortly says he’s happy be part of the life of the audience more than 45 years after his debut hit.
Playing Harrogate Theatre shortly - Steve Harley.Playing Harrogate Theatre shortly - Steve Harley.
Playing Harrogate Theatre shortly - Steve Harley.

Steve Harley, who stormed the charts with Cockney Rebel from 1973 onwards with hits such as Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) says the older he gets, the more important singing is to him.

Talking to the Harrogate Advertiser, he said: “I wake up each morning and say to myself “please god, give me my voice.”

“As a muscle I think my heart is getting younger.

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“Audiences want to hear the history in the music, they want to be part of the songs, and I’m very happy to do that.”

When he brings his acoustic band tour to Harrogate Theatre on Friday, February 21, fans will hear tracks from his wonderful new acoustic covers album Uncovered.

Not that the former journalist and sharp Harley likes the word “covers”.

He said: “I don’t see the point of covers. About 130 covers of Make Me Smile have been done.

“Most of them sound the same as the way I did it.

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“The songs on my new album are wonderful songs but they’re nothing like the originals.”

Currently wearing what he says in terms of his musical career, are “three hats,” at the age of 68, Harley is not a man intent on slowing down.

He says he’s “fine with the digital world,” but is also thrilled by the vinyl revival.

He said: “We’re pressing as many copies of Uncovered on vinyl as CD.

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“I was surprised when my son, who is on his mid-30s, asked for a Dansette record player about ten years ago.

“In those days you had to go on eBay to find one!”

Steve Harley will be joined at Harrogate Theatre on Friday, February 21 by his acoustic band featuring guitarist/violinist Barry Wickens, double bassist Oli Heyhurst and lead acoustic guitarist Dave Delarre on his latest tour.