Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel will play in Derbyshire during 50 Years A Rebel - Live On Stage tour

The band enjoyed touring the country so much last year for their 50th anniversary that they are going out again. Their exclusive 50 Years A Rebel – Live On Stage tour includes a show at Buxton Opera House on December 15, 2023, among six venues.

Steve said: “Just over fifty years ago, in early 1972, I progressed from London busker, regaling the tourists with an acoustic version of ‘Sebastian’ and other Human Menagerie tracks, to Cockney Rebel popster, determined to forge a unique furrow, full of the self-confidence of young manhood.

"The original Cockney Rebel was formed out of Beckenham Arts Lab and my drummer, Stuart Elliott’s bedroom in Pimlico. We played our first gig as support to the Jeff Beck Group at the Roundhouse, London. Since then, I haven’t really been off-the-road in five amazing decades.”‘Sebastian’ took on a whole new life when an orchestra and choir were added for our first album, and ‘Judy Teen’ in early 1974 turned us into bona fide, Top Of The Pops pop stars. Still a wandering minstrel, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The shows in December last year were a joy, and I cannot wait to get out there and celebrate once more”.These very special shows will include songs from the vast and eclectic Harley songbook – ‘Mr Soft’, ‘Judy Teen’, ‘Sebastian’ and the legendary ‘Make Me Smile’ and more from an incredible career.

The Times wrote, in a profile marking this half century, that signature hit ‘Make Me Smile’, “Remains one of the most beloved songs of the modern age”. The song has been covered more than 100 times in seven languages and features in films including The Full Monty, Velvet Goldmine, Best and Saving Grace. It has also been a favourite for TV and radio advertising campaigns around the world.Rod Stewart, who covered ‘A Friend For Life’, describes Steve as “One of the finest lyricists Britain has produced.” Record Collector said: “Harley’s eloquent, on-the-edge shows never fail to impress”.

Steve was given his first guitar as a Christmas present from his parents when he was 10 years old. He took violin lessons for six years from the age of nine and played in his grammar school orchestra, but admitted that he was a hopeless reader of music.

After a first job as a trainee accountant, Steve moved into journalism where he started out on newspapers in Essex. He relocated to the East London Advertiser where the city gave him the opportunity to follow his passion for music. Steve began singing in London folk clubs and joined the band Odin but found the genre of music a little tame.

A prolific songwriter, Steve formed Cockney Rebel to showcase his own songs. Cockney Rebel signed to EMI records for a three-album deal in 1972 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tickets to see Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel’s show cost £39, available from www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk or call 01298 72190.