ROCK icon Steve Harley – best known for his 1975 hit Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) – has died age 73.
The Cockney Rebel musician passed away “peacefully” at home in Suffolk on Sunday morning following a short battle with cancer, his family said.
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He had still been touring but was forced to cancel shows last month to have treatment.
In a statement, Steve’s family said their dad will be “desperately missed” by fans all over the world.
They said: “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful Husband and Father has passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.
“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.
“Stephen. Steve. Dad. Grandar. Steve Harley. Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements.
“Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance.
“We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world, and we ask that you respectfully allow us privacy to grieve.”
Tributes flooded in following Steve’s death.
Kevin Brennan, Labour MP for Cardiff West, said: “RIP Steve Harley – he very kindly sang on the Jo Cox charity record with MP4 just 7 years ago – and stayed the whole day to chat with the choir and all involved.”
While Corrie actor Michael Warburton paid tribute on X sharing a video of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel performing Make Me Smile.
In October, The Steve Harley Acoustic Band said a string of shows in January would be cancelled as Steve recovered from a medical procedure.
At Christmas, the singer said it was “heartbreaking” to pull the plug on his tour as he revealed he was fighting a “nasty” cancer.
He added: “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.”
In February, Steve’s management said his ongoing treatment meant he could not commit to any concerts in 2024.
Thanking fans for their support they said the Make Me Smile legend was “hoping next year will be altogether different”.
London-based Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel shot to fame in the early 1970s covering a range of styles from pop to prog rock.
They had five albums that made the UK Albums Chart and twelve singles in the UK Singles Chart.
The original band was made up of Harley, bassist Paul Jeffreys, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, and guitarist Nick Jones.
Jeffreys and his wife were killed on honeymoon in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing while onboard Pan Am Flight 103.
Steve is survived by wife Dorothy and two children Kerr and Greta.