Two of my favourite British pop (music) artists of the 1970's, Steve Harley and Bryan Ferry, both spent some time in the U.S. in 1977 and/or 1978. Of course, I'm equally a fan of each, today.

It was the time of the (short-lived) punk era - in my recollection, punk broke in Summer 1976 - I remember seeing that photo of Mick Hucknall at the front of the stage at a Pistols Manchester gig - and the movement was largely over, by early 1978.

I know Ferry spent some time in Montreux (as with all things music related in those pre-internet days, via [the excellent] music press of the day), recording 'In Your Mind' (Ferry et al, 1977) but by 'The Bride Stripped Bare' (Ferry et al, 1978), he was in the U.S. STEVE, of course, recorded 'Hobo with a Grin' (Harley, 1978). I seem to recall (Steve might correct me if I'm wrong) that the music press reported Harley going to the U.S., on the QE2 (R.I.P. Queen Elizabeth II, Viva Charles III!)

Anyway, the music scene of the 70's, was very dynamic, from the start to the finish, and it didn't stop there...The internet, in some ways, has been a remarkable, great development (now this next comment might be my age) but in my view, it's taken some mystery and glamour away from the pop music scene. As well as that, it's been far from all a force for good, as most are aware.

However, no-one can take away from the pleasure of listening to music and the exciting adrenalin rush, of a live gig and the endorphins produced by a strong melody. Good for the soul. Good for mental health.

Jem '75

P.S. There is another connection between Cockney Rebel and Roxy Music, Stuart Elliott (one of my favourite British drummers, along with Paul Thompson - I'm an ex-colleague of someone acquainted with Paul Thompson). Stuart made, I think more than once, guest appearances, certainly on TOTP (1980), with Roxy Music - check out Stuart's own (excellent) website. All the best.

stuartelliott.com/

Erratum and additional comments:

'Hobo With A Grin' (Harley, Mackay, et al, 1978) - It was quite a collaboratively written album (which I'd forgotten, until I just looked at the cover now).

Chris Mercer (saxophone on Steve's 'Amerika The Brave'), also plays on Ferry's 'In Your Mind', another Harley, Ferry connection (Chris Mercer has also played on several other Ferry albums and toured with Bryan).

Going back to Steve's QE2 trip (which I recall as later in 1977?), I also remember (maybe incorrectly) that it followed Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's triumphant British tour of 1976/77. 'THANX' and the 'Face to Face' live (double) album, followed later in 1977.

Thinking back to those days (and Cockney Rebel 'Marks' II and III), I just thought I'd mention that I've read Jim Cregan's autobiography this year, 'And On Guitar' (The History Press Ltd). I have at least eight rock/pop autobiographies on my shelves, and his was amongst the most entertaining and enjoyable. VERY readable. Great craic!

(As an aside, Feargal Sharkey was recently on TV with Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer) - in Ireland, fishing - and he referred to the craic - which is what reminded me to mention Jim's book, Feargal then mentioning, more seriously, the current unacceptable state of pollution in English rivers - FS is excellent, knowledgeable, versatile, down-to-earth and worth listening to. Unnecessary pollution angers me. Here, I'm referring to the excellent BBC Two series, 'Gone Fishing' (now in its fourth series) Viva the BBC!

BW,

Jem '75

I realise I could have edited the previous message, rather than enter another reply, but on this occasion, I decided against it for two reasons; 1. (selfishly) I thought a triptych making up the thread looked kind of neat 2. (un-selfishly) Any readers can easily pick out my latest comments.

Last night I was casually watching That's TV (UK), Freeview 65 and that's 70's and I was delighted when the original video for Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's Here comes the Sun (George Harrison, 1969) cover, came on. I remember seeing/hearing it on TOTP, back in 1976.

As well as the (Cockney Rebel) album of that year, I also bought the two singles (Love's A Prima Donna and Here Comes the Sun), currently they are both locked away though on one of them I just thought I'd say, I love the B side 'Lay Me Down', Harley (Sidetrack 1I, Harley, is on the back of the other, I think).

Anyway, this led me to think of another Harley, Ferry, parallel. 1976 was a year of the real re-emergence of covers and Ferry covered 'Let's Stick Together' (Wilbert Harrison, 1962, I think) in the same year. Both tracks did well.

Harley and Ferry have both demonstrated a fondness for Beatles work (Jealous Guy, Lennon) a big hit for Roxy. I particularly liked George Harrison though, which also reminds me of the Travelling Wilburys, the American/British supergroup (Dylan, Harrison, Lynne, Orbison and Petty - latter had some great singles, I particularly like 'Learning to Fly' - now sadly, only Bob and Jeff with us).

I know Harley and Ferry are both influenced by Bob Dylan, another parallel.

Returning to the Beatles, I know that Stuart Elliott was/is influenced by Ringo Starr.

Didn't Cockney Rebel enjoy that video shoot?! Happy days. Go well.

Jem '75

Another parallel – the tensions in (their) respective bands - that led to Eno’s departure from Roxy, in 1973 and Paul, Milton and ‘Jean-Paul’s’ (John) leaving Rebel, in 1974.

With the latter, I wonder if Steve (or maybe Mick*) had something of a Psychomodo-like premonition regarding the imminent break up (?) Or the band may have been discussing things beforehand, as no doubt with most personal/professional relationships, there is always a degree of compromise sought or maybe not?

On the reverse of the album, Steve is credited at the end of the whole (singular) band in the context of the performing unit, although “all songs written by STEVE HARLEY” is (separately) above, which reveals, clear leadership. His great friend, Mick Rock* (the quintessential pop and rock photographer, especially of the 70’s), designed the sleeve.

As Eno once, relatively recently, said about Roxy (he and Bryan had ‘buried-the-hatchet’ in the first half of the 90’s), ‘it was Bryan’s concept and his band’ (or something very similar).

I’ve said previously, that Rebel, Roxy and Split Enz are my three favourite bands of all time and I’ve just noticed a kind of parallel between Rebel and Split Enz, namely, Geoff Emerick. He also worked in a technical capacity with Split Enz on Dizrythmia (their 1977, Chrysalis album).

Whether it was my youthful obsession with the bands, I don’t know, but some of the outfits Steve was wearing in 1976 and 1977 would have fit right in with the Split Enz presentation during exactly the same years and against that, punk was beginning to take off…how could any follower of pop art/music possibly be bored?

Crazy (raver) times, wildcat (days), but very creative and productive, melodious - dark, light, happy and sad, exciting, imaginative sounds and words, for our pleasure and evoking (some) of the best years of our lives … pardon the puns…BW

Cockney Rebel: Judy Teen (Harley, 1974) & Roxy Music: Virginia Plain (Ferry, 1972)

Interesting, immediately engaging sounds, to open each single. Their respective impacts, were considerable.

Highest chart position (UK); Judy Teen; 5 – Virginia Plain; 4

(Of course Steve achieved a self-penned number 1, the following year, with Make Me Smile (Come up and see me) and Ferry/Mackay/Manzanera, achieved a number one album (actually, not their first), ten years after Virginia Plain, with Avalon.

In my view, 1971-1976, produced the most diverse pop and other, musical groups, especially, with British groups – but this thread is about parallel – and the author’s slight fixation, in a healthy way, with each band and each leader persona)

Neither record, at least initially, appeared on an album. I suppose there were good commercial reasons partly behind this, but undoubtedly egos, competition and just sheer enthusiasm, each played another part.

‘They’ (Judy, Virginia) could each be persons, personality, or indeed, a brand, or to quote Bob Geldof (who I think, initially, shared certain mannerisms with Mr Harley, in performance) “She’s so, twentieth century, she’s so, 1970’s…She’s a modern girl…” (Geldof/Fingers, 1978).

Perhaps also, the motivation that determined entering the fray? If so, it’s only natural (Crowded House, after Split Enz, ‘my’ third band, come to mind). Entering the fray seemed perfectly desirable and natural. I’m so glad (they all) did. They are part of indelible cultural heritage.

In any event, at least to 2022 as creative performers, and probably beyond, Harley and Ferry et al, are still here – a parallel of true stamina and drive. Their respective recorded works will continue to be played and enjoyed in Europe and all over the world, and their stories are not over yet! They influence. Slide that needle in the groove, click the mouse or push the button…

LITERARY and FASHIONABLE (further parallels):

Riding the waves (for Virginia Woolf), Harley, 1978.
Virginia Woolf. Writer. 1882-1941.

A Wasteland (Ferry, 1985)
T.S. Eliot. Poet. 1888-1965.
(Unless I’ve imagined it, both Harley and Ferry have referred to T.S. Eliot, at one time or another).

(For me, their) best two (respective) ‘looks’:

Harley –

1. The red suit with parallel trousers (1976) Northern soul had done much for parallels and Oxford bags (Wigan Casino, 1973-1981, and other venues). This reminds me that both Harley and Ferry (and indeed, the late David Bowie – ‘Young Americans’) have been ‘cultural sponges’, in a positive way. Harley had good training, as a journalist of real life and Ferry, had the mentor that was Richard Hamilton, the eminent British pop artist and lecturer.

2. The black leather coat/jacket ‘thing’, which, about twenty years later, would be ‘taken up’, by a band in my ‘second tier’ (mainly/only, because of age difference between them and I, to be honest – I’ve touched upon this [Freudian] theme before, herein) of favourites, Suede (1990-2003 and 2013 to present).

Ferry –

(Not for me – though I admit to copying it – when attending an ex-girlfriend’s wedding, in France, in 1982, the white tuxedo, whilst good. Ferry first introduced the look in 1974 and then resurrected it, in 1982, not something he usually did, I wonder if he knew that Avalon was, [unconsciously], going to be the last Roxy Music studio album?)

1. ‘American GI (Antony Price)’ with ‘Roxy Music’ badge (late 1975). Lookalikes started appearing at college, with their own versions. I considered seeing them live at this point (but in the end I left it until they reformed, following the spring 1976-autumn 1978, hiatus, at the start of 1981).

2. Mixing up jackets with jeans and black polka dot ties (1973, 1974). This was radical, at the time and pretty cool.

EXTRA parallel (reflective of the respective times of their emergence, in 1972 and 1973):

Their dark writing, particularly Harley during The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo (1973 and 1974), all songs I believe, Steve wrote fairly early on (I’m sure he said, during one interview, that he had two albums of material, ready or largely ready, by the time Cockney Rebel broke through!?)
AND

Particularly Ferry during For Your Pleasure (1973), ‘In Every Dream home, a heartache’ and ‘The Bogus Man’, being fine examples.

Steve and Bryan touched upon death (‘Death Trip’ and ‘Strictly Confidential’, respectively).
But I see ‘Death Trip’ as inevitable reality and essentially, about the joy in individual life, before that event. Salvador Dali (1904-1989) once referred to his own ‘geological destiny’. Now is not the time, readers…

All the best.

Jem

P.S. Another slightly oblique parallel, Harley/Dali/Ferry: the latter met Dali in Paris in 1973 and in 1974/75 Steve wrote the line, “It was just like a dream, yeah, a surreal scene, like a blue orange…”

ROXY
You'll have to check this one out separately, but it's 'Whirlwind' (Ferry/Manzanera, also Live, also 1975) ...youtube.com/watch?v=DwfaF616GHc OR, ...youtube.com/watch?v=JTE85GBWlbg OR simply Google 'Whirlwind Roxy Music Live 1975' (one of the comments on one of the YouTube links available (audio only) states, to the effect, that this track preceded or foresaw 'Punk').

I agree with that view. After all, there are Steve Jones's views on the influence/significance of Roxy, to consider, as a former Sex Pistol, himself. Whilst I am on this context, Viva Chris Spedding! Another fabulous guitarist and he is a link between the Sex Pistols and Bryan Ferry/Roxy. These links are already/long since, in the public domain of YouTube.

REBEL


Each of these tracks convey, for me, the Turner-esque - The Mad, Mad Moonlight, Whirlwind...Nature, instinctive. Rebel and Roxy in the musical, presentation arts. Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) in the visual arts (along with Dali, who I've mentioned before), is one of my favourite painters, a visionary, ahead of his time and often considered the 'Grandfather of the Impressionists'.

I'm excited about seeing and hearing Harley, next year (2024). Get well soon Steve. Jem.