Alex Harvey (musician): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
imported>Jontel
m →Personal life: Grammar
 
imported>VCCmatt
m Willie Gardner's page mentions being a cousin of Alex Harvey, so making the connection consistent on this page too
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 20: Line 20:
}}
}}


'''Alexander James Harvey''' (5 February 1935 – 4 February 1982) was a Scottish rock and blues musician. Although his career spanned almost three decades, he is best remembered as the frontman of [[the Sensational Alex Harvey Band]], with whom he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the era of [[glam rock]] in the 1970s.
'''Alexander James Harvey''' (5 February 1935 – 4 February 1982)<ref name="Larkin60">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0149-X|page=226}}</ref> was a Scottish rock and blues musician. Although his career spanned almost three decades, he is best remembered as the frontman of [[the Sensational Alex Harvey Band]], with whom he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the era of [[glam rock]] in the 1970s.


==Biography==
==Biography==
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2023}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2023}}
Harvey was born and raised in the working-class [[Kinning Park]] district of [[Glasgow]] (also reported as the [[Gorbals]] in the 2009 [[Scottish Television|STV]] show ''The Greatest Scot'').<ref name=Rock2>"Rock Star" 2</ref> By his own account, he worked in a number of jobs, from carpentry to being a waiter at a restaurant to carving gravestones,<ref name=Den>Denselow, 8</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=March 2025}} before finding success in music. He first began performing in [[skiffle]] groups in 1954.<ref name=Rock2/>{{Full citation needed|date=March 2025}} On Friday, 20 May 1960, at the Town Hall in [[Alloa]], Alex Harvey and his Big Beat Band opened for [[Johnny Gentle]] and His Group, "His Group" being [[the Beatles]] (John, Paul, George, [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] and Tommy Moore), on this the opening night – and biggest audience – of the Beatles' seven-date tour of Scotland with Gentle.<ref>Lewisohn, Mark. ''[[The Beatles: All These Years]]; Tune In'', pp. 309-310.</ref>
Harvey was born and raised in the working-class [[Kinning Park]] district of [[Glasgow]] (also reported as the [[Gorbals]] in the 2009 [[Scottish Television|STV]] show ''The Greatest Scot'').<ref name=Rock2>"Rock Star" 2</ref> By his own account, he worked in a number of jobs, from carpentry to being a waiter at a restaurant to carving gravestones,<ref name=Den>Denselow, 8</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=March 2025}} before finding success in music. He first began performing in [[skiffle]] groups in 1954.<ref name=Rock2/>{{Full citation needed|date=March 2025}} On Friday, 20 May 1960, at the Town Hall in [[Alloa]], Alex Harvey and his Big Beat Band opened for [[Johnny Gentle]] and His Group, "His Group" being [[the Beatles]] (John, Paul, George, [[Stuart Sutcliffe]] and Tommy Moore), on this the opening night – and biggest audience – of the Beatles' seven-date tour of Scotland with Gentle.<ref>Lewisohn, Mark. ''[[The Beatles: All These Years]]; Tune In'', 2013, pp. 309-310, {{ISBN| 978-0316729604}}</ref>


His musical roots were in [[Dixieland jazz]] and skiffle music, which enjoyed considerable popularity in Britain during the late 1950s. From 1958 until 1965, he was the leader of Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band, playing [[blues]] and [[rock and roll]] songs and spending considerable time touring in the United Kingdom and Germany.<ref name=Den/> He also won a competition that sought "Scotland's answer to [[Tommy Steele]]". Harvey became strongly identified with British rhythm and blues music, although he was equally able to play rock songs.
His musical roots were in [[Dixieland jazz]] and skiffle music, which enjoyed considerable popularity in Britain during the late 1950s. From 1958 until 1965, he was the leader of Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band, playing [[blues]] and [[rock and roll]] songs,<ref name="Larkin60"/> and spending considerable time touring in the United Kingdom and Germany.<ref name=Den/> He also won a competition that sought "Scotland's answer to [[Tommy Steele]]". Harvey became strongly identified with British rhythm and blues music, although he was equally able to play rock songs.


After leaving the Big Soul Band, he briefly tried for a solo career but with little success.<ref name=Den/> By 1967, he found a positive direction for his career when he became a member of the pit band in the London stage production of the musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Munro |first=John Neil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UMi8BQAAQBAJ |title=The Sensational Alex Harvey |publisher=Birlinn |year=2011 |isbn=9780857901521 |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> This band recorded the live album ''Hair Rave Up'', which contained Harvey originals and other songs not from the stage show. In 1970, Harvey formed [[Rock Workshop]] with [[Ray Russell (musician)|Ray Russell]]; their first, self-titled album contained an early version of "Hole in Her Stocking",<ref name="AngelAir132">{{cite web|url=http://www.angelair.force9.co.uk/sjpcd132.htm|title=Rock Workshop album description|date=13 March 2006|publisher=Angel Air Records|access-date=31 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100115121514/http://www.angelair.force9.co.uk/sjpcd132.htm| archive-date= 15 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> later to appear on ''[[Framed (Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Framed]]''. Harvey remained with ''Hair'' for five years.
After leaving the Big Soul Band, he briefly tried for a solo career but with little success.<ref name=Den/> By 1967, he found a positive direction for his career when he became a member of the pit band in the London stage production of the musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Munro |first=John Neil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UMi8BQAAQBAJ |title=The Sensational Alex Harvey |publisher=Birlinn |year=2011 |isbn=9780857901521 |access-date=11 March 2023}}</ref> This band recorded the live album ''Hair Rave Up Live From the Shaftesbury Theatre'', which contained Harvey originals and other songs not from the stage show.<ref name="Larkin60"/> In 1970, Harvey formed [[Rock Workshop]] with [[Ray Russell (musician)|Ray Russell]]; their first, self-titled album contained an early version of "Hole in Her Stocking",<ref name="AngelAir132">{{cite web|url=http://www.angelair.force9.co.uk/sjpcd132.htm|title=Rock Workshop album description|date=13 March 2006|publisher=Angel Air Records|access-date=31 December 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100115121514/http://www.angelair.force9.co.uk/sjpcd132.htm| archive-date= 15 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> later to appear on ''[[Framed (Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Framed]]''. Harvey remained with ''Hair'' for five years.


Harvey was instrumental in the formation of the band [[Stone the Crows]] by introducing his younger brother [[Leslie Harvey|Leslie "Les" Harvey]] to singer [[Maggie Bell]]. Also in Stone the Crows was bassist [[James Dewar (musician)|James Dewar]], who later worked with [[Robin Trower]].<ref>Logan, Nick & Woffinden, Bob (eds.) ''The New Musical Express Book of Rock'', W. H. Allen & Co. (Star), 1973, p. 450. {{ISBN|0-352-39715-2}}.</ref> Les Harvey was fatally electrocuted in a freak accident while performing with the band in 1972.
Harvey was instrumental in the formation of the band [[Stone the Crows]] by introducing his younger brother [[Leslie Harvey|Leslie "Les" Harvey]] to singer [[Maggie Bell]]. Also in Stone the Crows was bassist [[James Dewar (musician)|James Dewar]], who later worked with [[Robin Trower]].<ref>Logan, Nick & Woffinden, Bob (eds.) ''The New Musical Express Book of Rock'', W. H. Allen & Co. (Star), 1973, p. 450. {{ISBN|0-352-39715-2}}.</ref> Les Harvey was fatally electrocuted in a freak accident while performing with the band in 1972.<ref name="Larkin60"/>


==The Sensational Alex Harvey Band==
==The Sensational Alex Harvey Band==
In 1972, Harvey formed [[the Sensational Alex Harvey Band]] (often shortened to SAHB) with guitarist [[Zal Cleminson]], bassist [[Chris Glen]], and cousins Hugh (keyboards) and [[Ted McKenna]] (drums), all previous members of [[progressive rock]] act Tear Gas. {{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
In 1972, Harvey formed [[the Sensational Alex Harvey Band]] (often shortened to SAHB) with guitarist [[Zal Cleminson]], bassist [[Chris Glen]], and cousins Hugh (keyboards) and [[Ted McKenna]] (drums), all previous members of [[progressive rock]] act Tear Gas.<ref name="Larkin60"/>


SAHB produced a succession of highly regarded albums and tours throughout the 1970s. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band had top 40 hits in Britain with the single "[[Delilah (1968 song)|Delilah]]", a cover version of the [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] hit, which reached number seven in 1975, and also with "The Boston Tea Party" in June 1976. The band never achieved acclaim in the United States the way it did in Great Britain, but it had a cult following in certain US cities, especially [[Cleveland]], where the group first played at the Agora Ballroom in December 1974. Thanks to airplay from [[WMMS]], songs like "Next" and "The Faith Healer" became very popular. Cleveland remained a city where the Sensational Alex Harvey Band had a devoted following.<ref>Jane Scott. "Alex Harvey Dies on Boat", ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'', 12 February 1982, p. T-23.</ref> However, they were unable to replicate that popularity in most other US cities.<ref>Anastasia Pantsios. "Rock Beat." ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'', 25 July 1980, p. T-34.</ref>
SAHB produced a succession of highly regarded albums and tours throughout the 1970s. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band had top 40 hits in Britain with the single "[[Delilah (1968 song)|Delilah]]", a cover version of the [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] hit, which reached number seven in 1975, and also with "The Boston Tea Party" in June 1976. The band never achieved acclaim in the United States the way it did in Great Britain, but it had a cult following in certain US cities, especially [[Cleveland]], where the group first played at the Agora Ballroom in December 1974. Thanks to airplay from [[WMMS]], songs like "Next" and "The Faith Healer" became popular. Cleveland remained a city where the Sensational Alex Harvey Band had a devoted following.<ref>Jane Scott. "Alex Harvey Dies on Boat", ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'', 12 February 1982, p. T-23.</ref> However, they were unable to replicate that popularity in most other US cities.<ref>Anastasia Pantsios. "Rock Beat." ''Cleveland Plain Dealer'', 25 July 1980, p. T-34.</ref>


After Harvey left the group in 1976, the other members continued as SAHB (Without Alex) producing the album ''[[Fourplay (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Fourplay]]''. Harvey re-joined the group for 1978's ''[[Rock Drill (Sensational Alex Harvey Band)|Rock Drill]]''. SAHB with Alex toured the UK in Autumn 1981 with the last gig at Workington's Carnegie Theatre on 1 November.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
After Harvey left the group in 1976, the other members continued as SAHB (Without Alex) producing the album ''[[Fourplay (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Fourplay]]''. Harvey re-joined the group for 1978's ''[[Rock Drill (Sensational Alex Harvey Band)|Rock Drill]]''. SAHB with Harvey toured the UK in Autumn 1981 with the last gig at Workington's Carnegie Theatre on 1 November.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}


==Single, solo albums and death==
==Single, solo albums and death==
After he left the band for good, he released two more solo albums and went on tour with his solo band from 1979.  On 4 February 1982, returning from performances in Belgium, Harvey died from a heart attack, a day before his 47th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sensational: Thirty years after his death, Alex Harvey's music is still influential|url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/sensational-thirty-years-after-his-death-alex-harveys-music-still-influential-2453150|access-date=2021-03-29|website=www.scotsman.com|date=29 January 2012 |language=en}}</ref>
After he left the band for good, he released two more solo albums and went on tour with his solo band from 1979.<ref name="Larkin60"/> On 4 February 1982, returning from performances in Belgium, Harvey died from a heart attack, a day before his 47th birthday.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sensational: Thirty years after his death, Alex Harvey's music is still influential|url=https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/sensational-thirty-years-after-his-death-alex-harveys-music-still-influential-2453150|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Scotsman.com|date=29 January 2012 |language=en}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Harvery was married twice, first to Mary Martin, with whom he had a son and second to Trudy, with whom he also had a son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/harvey_alex.htm |title=Alex Harvey |publisher=Electricscotland.com |access-date=2 January 2012}}</ref>
Harvey was married twice, first to Mary Martin, with whom he had a son and second to Trudy, with whom he also had a son.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/harvey_alex.htm |title=Alex Harvey |website=Electricscotland.com |access-date=2 January 2012}}</ref> He was a cousin of [[Willie Gardner]].


Harvey was a [[Master Mason]] in Lodge Union, No. 332, in the City of Glasgow, in Scotland.  He was initiated on 22 June 1955 and was passed to the Second Degree in Freemasonry on 24 August 1955. He received his Third Degree on 16 November 1955.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Harvey, Master Mason, Lodge Union No.332|url=https://www.pglglasgow.org.uk/index.php/glasgow-freemasons-of-interest/418-alex-harvey-master-mason-lodge-union-no-332|access-date=2021-03-29|website=www.pglglasgow.org.uk}}</ref>
Harvey was a [[Master Mason]] in Lodge Union, No. 332, in the City of Glasgow, in Scotland.  He was initiated on 22 June 1955 and was passed to the Second Degree in Freemasonry on 24 August 1955. He received his Third Degree on 16 November 1955.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Harvey, Master Mason, Lodge Union No.332|url=https://www.pglglasgow.org.uk/index.php/glasgow-freemasons-of-interest/418-alex-harvey-master-mason-lodge-union-no-332|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Pglglasgow.org.uk}}</ref>


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
In 2002, a biography of Harvey by [[John Neil Munro]] was published: ''The Sensational Alex Harvey''. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were voted the fifth greatest Scottish band of all time in a 2005 survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4169075.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Belle named 'best Scottish band' |work=BBC News |date=12 January 2005 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> On 4 February 2012, a [[rowan]] tree was planted in memory of Harvey on the grounds of the [[People's Palace, Glasgow|People's Palace]] museum in Glasgow. The tree was planted by Alex Harvey Junior and the remaining members of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/alex-harvey-a-tribute |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710073448/http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/alex-harvey-a-tribute |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Alex Harvey – A Tribute – People's Palace – Glasgow |publisher=Events.glasgowlife.org.uk |access-date=30 March 2012 }}</ref> A limited edition book entitled ''Alex Harvey: Last of the Teenage Idols'', photographed by Janet Macoska and edited by Martin Kielty was released for the 30th anniversary of his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexharveybook.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128141011/http://www.alexharveybook.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2012 |title=Alex Harvey : Last of the Teenage Idols |publisher=Alexharveybook.com |access-date=6 August 2014 }}</ref>
In 2002, a biography of Harvey by [[John Neil Munro]] was published: ''The Sensational Alex Harvey''. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were voted the fifth greatest Scottish band of all time in a 2005 survey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4169075.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Belle named 'best Scottish band' |work=BBC News |date=12 January 2005 |access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref> On 4 February 2012, a [[rowan]] tree was planted in memory of Harvey on the grounds of the [[People's Palace, Glasgow|People's Palace]] museum in Glasgow. The tree was planted by Alex Harvey Junior and the remaining members of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/alex-harvey-a-tribute |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710073448/http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/alex-harvey-a-tribute |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 July 2012 |title=Alex Harvey – A Tribute – People's Palace – Glasgow |website=Events.glasgowlife.org.uk |access-date=30 March 2012 }}</ref> A limited edition book entitled ''Alex Harvey: Last of the Teenage Idols'', photographed by Janet Macoska and edited by Martin Kielty was released for the 30th anniversary of his death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexharveybook.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128141011/http://www.alexharveybook.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2012 |title=Alex Harvey : Last of the Teenage Idols |website=Alexharveybook.com |access-date=6 August 2014 }}</ref>


Two novels by [[Chris Brookmyre|Christopher Brookmyre]], ''The Sacred Art of Stealing'' and ''A Snowball in Hell'', reference SAHB's work.
Two novels by [[Chris Brookmyre|Christopher Brookmyre]], ''The Sacred Art of Stealing'' and ''A Snowball in Hell'', reference SAHB's work.
Line 57: Line 57:
===Solo artist===
===Solo artist===
====Studio albums====
====Studio albums====
*''[[The Blues (Alex Harvey album)|The Blues]]'' (1964)
*''[[The Blues (Alex Harvey album)|The Blues]]'' (1964)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''[[Roman Wall Blues]]'' (1969)
*''[[Roman Wall Blues]]'' (1969)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''[[The Joker Is Wild (album)|The Joker Is Wild]]'' (1972)
*''The Joker Is Wild'' (1972)
*''True Love'' (1974)
*''[[The Mafia Stole My Guitar]]'' (1979)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''[[The Mafia Stole My Guitar]]'' (1979)
*''[[Soldier on the Wall]]'' (1982)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''[[Soldier on the Wall]]'' (1982)


====Singles====
====Singles====
* "Agent OO Soul" / "Go Away Baby" (1965) Fontana: TF 610
* "Agent OO Soul" / "Go Away Baby" (1965) Fontana: TF 610
* "Do the Dog" / "Something You Got" (1966) GTA Records: PO 40018
* "Do the Dog" / "Something You Got" (1966) GTA Records: PO 40018
Line 80: Line 78:


====Live albums====
====Live albums====
*''Hair Rave Up'' (1969)
*''Hair Rave Up Live From the Shaftesbury Theatre'' (1969)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''Alex Harvey Talks About Everything'' (1974)
*''Alex Harvey Talks About Everything'' (1974)
*''[[Live (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Live]]'' (1975) (live at Hammersmith Odeon, London on 24 May 1975)
*''Alex Harvey Presents: The Loch Ness Monster'' (1977)<ref name="Larkin60"/>
*''Alex Harvey Presents: The Loch Ness Monster'' (1977)
*''BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert'' (1991) (recorded for the BBC at The Paris Theatre 1972 and The Hippodrome 1973)
*''BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert'' (1991) (recorded for the BBC at The Paris Theatre 1972 and The Hippodrome 1973)
*''Live on the Test'' (1995)
*''Live on the Test'' (1995)
Line 91: Line 88:


===Alex Harvey and His Soul Band===
===Alex Harvey and His Soul Band===
*''[[Alex Harvey and His Soul Band]]'' (1964)
*''[[Alex Harvey and His Soul Band]]'' (1964)<ref name="Larkin60"/>


===The Sensational Alex Harvey Band===
===The Sensational Alex Harvey Band===
Line 98: Line 95:
*''[[The Impossible Dream (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|The Impossible Dream]]'' (1974)
*''[[The Impossible Dream (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|The Impossible Dream]]'' (1974)
*''[[Tomorrow Belongs to Me (album)|Tomorrow Belongs to Me]]'' (1975)
*''[[Tomorrow Belongs to Me (album)|Tomorrow Belongs to Me]]'' (1975)
*''[[Live (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)|Live]]'' (1975) (live at Hammersmith Odeon, London on 24 May 1975)
*''[[The Penthouse Tapes]]'' (1976)
*''[[The Penthouse Tapes]]'' (1976)
*''[[SAHB Stories]]'' (1976)
*''[[SAHB Stories]]'' (1976)
*''[[Rock Drill (Sensational Alex Harvey Band)|Rock Drill]]'' (1978)
*''[[Rock Drill (Sensational Alex Harvey Band)|Rock Drill]]'' (1978)
*''[[The Best of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band]]'' (1982)


===Compilations/other records===
===Compilations/other records===
Line 113: Line 112:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|}}
* {{discogs artist|artist=Alex Harvey}}
* {{discogs artist|artist=Alex Harvey}}
* {{AllMusic|artist|p35713|Alex Harvey}}
* {{AllMusic|artist|p35713|Alex Harvey}}
Line 134: Line 132:
[[Category:Scottish male songwriters]]
[[Category:Scottish male songwriters]]
[[Category:Scottish Freemasons]]
[[Category:Scottish Freemasons]]
[[Category:The Sensational Alex Harvey Band members]]

Latest revision as of 12:28, 10 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Template:EngvarB Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Alexander James Harvey (5 February 1935 – 4 February 1982)[1] was a Scottish rock and blues musician. Although his career spanned almost three decades, he is best remembered as the frontman of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, with whom he built a reputation as an exciting live performer during the era of glam rock in the 1970s.

Biography

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Harvey was born and raised in the working-class Kinning Park district of Glasgow (also reported as the Gorbals in the 2009 STV show The Greatest Scot).[2] By his own account, he worked in a number of jobs, from carpentry to being a waiter at a restaurant to carving gravestones,[3]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". before finding success in music. He first began performing in skiffle groups in 1954.[2]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". On Friday, 20 May 1960, at the Town Hall in Alloa, Alex Harvey and his Big Beat Band opened for Johnny Gentle and His Group, "His Group" being the Beatles (John, Paul, George, Stuart Sutcliffe and Tommy Moore), on this the opening night – and biggest audience – of the Beatles' seven-date tour of Scotland with Gentle.[4]

His musical roots were in Dixieland jazz and skiffle music, which enjoyed considerable popularity in Britain during the late 1950s. From 1958 until 1965, he was the leader of Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band, playing blues and rock and roll songs,[1] and spending considerable time touring in the United Kingdom and Germany.[3] He also won a competition that sought "Scotland's answer to Tommy Steele". Harvey became strongly identified with British rhythm and blues music, although he was equally able to play rock songs.

After leaving the Big Soul Band, he briefly tried for a solo career but with little success.[3] By 1967, he found a positive direction for his career when he became a member of the pit band in the London stage production of the musical Hair.[5] This band recorded the live album Hair Rave Up Live From the Shaftesbury Theatre, which contained Harvey originals and other songs not from the stage show.[1] In 1970, Harvey formed Rock Workshop with Ray Russell; their first, self-titled album contained an early version of "Hole in Her Stocking",[6] later to appear on Framed. Harvey remained with Hair for five years.

Harvey was instrumental in the formation of the band Stone the Crows by introducing his younger brother Leslie "Les" Harvey to singer Maggie Bell. Also in Stone the Crows was bassist James Dewar, who later worked with Robin Trower.[7] Les Harvey was fatally electrocuted in a freak accident while performing with the band in 1972.[1]

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

In 1972, Harvey formed the Sensational Alex Harvey Band (often shortened to SAHB) with guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, and cousins Hugh (keyboards) and Ted McKenna (drums), all previous members of progressive rock act Tear Gas.[1]

SAHB produced a succession of highly regarded albums and tours throughout the 1970s. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band had top 40 hits in Britain with the single "Delilah", a cover version of the Tom Jones hit, which reached number seven in 1975, and also with "The Boston Tea Party" in June 1976. The band never achieved acclaim in the United States the way it did in Great Britain, but it had a cult following in certain US cities, especially Cleveland, where the group first played at the Agora Ballroom in December 1974. Thanks to airplay from WMMS, songs like "Next" and "The Faith Healer" became popular. Cleveland remained a city where the Sensational Alex Harvey Band had a devoted following.[8] However, they were unable to replicate that popularity in most other US cities.[9]

After Harvey left the group in 1976, the other members continued as SAHB (Without Alex) producing the album Fourplay. Harvey re-joined the group for 1978's Rock Drill. SAHB with Harvey toured the UK in Autumn 1981 with the last gig at Workington's Carnegie Theatre on 1 November.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Single, solo albums and death

After he left the band for good, he released two more solo albums and went on tour with his solo band from 1979.[1] On 4 February 1982, returning from performances in Belgium, Harvey died from a heart attack, a day before his 47th birthday.[10]

Personal life

Harvey was married twice, first to Mary Martin, with whom he had a son and second to Trudy, with whom he also had a son.[11] He was a cousin of Willie Gardner.

Harvey was a Master Mason in Lodge Union, No. 332, in the City of Glasgow, in Scotland. He was initiated on 22 June 1955 and was passed to the Second Degree in Freemasonry on 24 August 1955. He received his Third Degree on 16 November 1955.[12]

Legacy

In 2002, a biography of Harvey by John Neil Munro was published: The Sensational Alex Harvey. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were voted the fifth greatest Scottish band of all time in a 2005 survey.[13] On 4 February 2012, a rowan tree was planted in memory of Harvey on the grounds of the People's Palace museum in Glasgow. The tree was planted by Alex Harvey Junior and the remaining members of the band.[14] A limited edition book entitled Alex Harvey: Last of the Teenage Idols, photographed by Janet Macoska and edited by Martin Kielty was released for the 30th anniversary of his death.[15]

Two novels by Christopher Brookmyre, The Sacred Art of Stealing and A Snowball in Hell, reference SAHB's work.

On 18 March 2016, Universal Music released a 14-disc box set of Harvey's work, entitled The Last of the Teenage Idols. This multi-disc set was the most comprehensive compilation of Harvey's music to date, including many rare and out-of-print titles.

Discography

Solo artist

Studio albums

Singles

  • "Agent OO Soul" / "Go Away Baby" (1965) Fontana: TF 610
  • "Do the Dog" / "Something You Got" (1966) GTA Records: PO 40018
  • "My Girl Slooping" / "Mashed Potatoes" (1966) GTA Records: PO 40019
  • "Work Song" / "I Can Do Without Your Love" (1966) Fontana: TF 764
  • "Maybe Some Day" / "Curtains for My Baby (St. James Infirmary)" (1967) Decca
  • "The Sunday Song" (1967) Decca
  • "Midnight Moses" (1969) Fontana
  • "Alex Harvey Talks About Everything (An In-Depth Session with Alex Harvey of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band)" (1974) Vertigo: MK 71974
  • "Runaway" (1976) Vertigo
  • "Mitzi" (1984) Victoria: VIC-117, 10.282
  • "Runaway" (1976, remastered 2002) Vertigo
  • "Midnight Moses" (2015) Fontana: 535 854-6

Live albums

  • Hair Rave Up Live From the Shaftesbury Theatre (1969)[1]
  • Alex Harvey Talks About Everything (1974)
  • Alex Harvey Presents: The Loch Ness Monster (1977)[1]
  • BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (1991) (recorded for the BBC at The Paris Theatre 1972 and The Hippodrome 1973)
  • Live on the Test (1995)
  • The Gospel According to Alex Harvey (1998)
  • British Tour '76 (2004)
  • Live at the BBC (2009)

Alex Harvey and His Soul Band

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Compilations/other records

  • Band on the Wagon (1969)
  • Hot City (recorded in 1974; released in 2009)
  • Alex Harvey and His Soul Band, 20 unreleased tracks, CD only (1999)
  • Teenage a Go Go - The Unreleased Recordings of Alex Harvey 1963-67 (Alchemy Entertainment 2003)
  • Last of the Teenage Idols (2016) - a 14-CD/217-track box set including 21 previously unreleased songs, 59 songs on cd for the 1st time and a number of rare recordings plus a hardback book of photographs

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b "Rock Star" 2
  3. ↑ a b c Denselow, 8
  4. ↑ Lewisohn, Mark. The Beatles: All These Years; Tune In, 2013, pp. 309-310, Template:ISBN
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Logan, Nick & Woffinden, Bob (eds.) The New Musical Express Book of Rock, W. H. Allen & Co. (Star), 1973, p. 450. Template:ISBN.
  8. ↑ Jane Scott. "Alex Harvey Dies on Boat", Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12 February 1982, p. T-23.
  9. ↑ Anastasia Pantsios. "Rock Beat." Cleveland Plain Dealer, 25 July 1980, p. T-34.
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Script error: No such module "Navbox".

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Alex_Harvey_(musician)&oldid=4542078"