Singer Steve Harley from Cockney Rebel 1970s glam rock band dies

Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley arrives for the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2006 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, central London. Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley has died peacefully at home at the age of 73, his family has announced. Ian West/PA Wire/dpa
Cockney Rebel's Steve Harley arrives for the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2006 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, central London. Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley has died peacefully at home at the age of 73, his family has announced. Ian West/PA Wire/dpa

Steve Harley, best known as the frontman of Cockney Rebel, has died at the age of 73, broadcasters BBC and Sky News reported on Sunday, citing the singer's family.

"We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world," Harley's daughter Greta said, according to the reports.

Harley's best known song was "Make me Smile" as well as a cover of the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun."

In the mid-1980s, he sang "Phantom of the Opera" with Sarah Brightman from Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical of the same name.

At the beginning of the year, Harley cancelled all concerts for 2024 "due to ongoing treatment for cancer."

His official Facebook site posted: "We are devastated to announce that Steve, our wonderful husband, father and grandfather, has passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side."

It added: "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 beloved Grandchildren."