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.
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).[1] By his own account, he worked in a number of jobs, from carpentry to being a waiter at a restaurant to carving tombstones,[2] before finding success in music. He first began performing in skiffle groups in 1954.[1] 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.[3]
His musical roots were in Dixielandjazz 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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[4] 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; their first, self-titled album contained an early version of "Hole in Her Stocking",[5] 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, later of Robin Trower fame.[6] Les Harvey was electrocuted in a freak accident while performing with the band in 1972.
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. SAHB produced a succession of highly regarded albums and tours throughout the 1970s. 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.[7] However, they were unable to replicate that popularity in most other US cities.[8]
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. After Harvey left the group later that year, the other members continued as SAHB (Without Alex) producing the album Fourplay. Harvey re-joined the group for 1978's Rock Drill. SAHB with Alex toured the UK in Autumn 1981 with the last gig at Workington's Carnegie Theatre on 1 November.
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.[9]
Personal life
Harvey was married twice and had two sons, one from each marriage.[10]
Harvey was a Master Mason in Lodge Union, No. 332, in the Province 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.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14]
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.
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
^Munro, John Neil (2011). The Sensational Alex Harvey. Birlinn. ISBN9780857901521. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
^"Rock Workshop album description". Angel Air Records. 13 March 2006. from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
^Logan, Nick & Woffinden, Bob (eds.) The New Musical Express Book of Rock, W. H. Allen & Co. (Star), 1973, p. 450. ISBN0-352-39715-2.
^ Jane Scott. "Alex Harvey Dies on Boat." Cleveland Plain Dealer, 12 February 1982, p. T-23.
^ Anastasia Pantsios. "Rock Beat." Cleveland Plain Dealer, 25 July 1980, p. T-34.
^"Sensational: Thirty years after his death, Alex Harvey's music is still influential". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
^"Alex Harvey". Electricscotland.com. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
^"Alex Harvey, Master Mason, Lodge Union No.332". www.pglglasgow.org.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
^"Entertainment | Belle named 'best Scottish band'". BBC News. 12 January 2005. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
^"Alex Harvey – A Tribute – People's Palace – Glasgow". Events.glasgowlife.org.uk. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
^. Alexharveybook.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
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For the American singer songwriter see Alex Harvey country musician This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Alex Harvey musician news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message 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 Alex HarveyBackground informationBirth nameAlexander James HarveyBorn 1935 02 05 5 February 1935Glasgow Lanarkshire ScotlandDied4 February 1982 1982 02 04 aged 46 Zeebrugge BelgiumGenresHard rock glam rock blues rock rock and roll R amp B soulOccupation s Musician songwriterInstrument s Vocals guitarYears active1954 1982LabelsVertigo Polygram Buddah Contents 1 Biography 2 The Sensational Alex Harvey Band 3 Solo albums and death 4 Personal life 5 Legacy 6 Discography 6 1 Solo artist 6 1 1 Studio albums 6 1 2 Singles 6 1 3 Live albums 6 2 Alex Harvey and His Soul Band 6 3 The Sensational Alex Harvey Band 6 4 Compilations other records 7 References 8 External linksBiography EditHarvey 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 1 By his own account he worked in a number of jobs from carpentry to being a waiter at a restaurant to carving tombstones 2 before finding success in music He first began performing in skiffle groups in 1954 1 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 3 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 2 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 2 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 4 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 their first self titled album contained an early version of Hole in Her Stocking 5 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 later of Robin Trower fame 6 Les Harvey was electrocuted in a freak accident while performing with the band in 1972 The Sensational Alex Harvey Band EditIn 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 SAHB produced a succession of highly regarded albums and tours throughout the 1970s 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 7 However they were unable to replicate that popularity in most other US cities 8 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 After Harvey left the group later that year the other members continued as SAHB Without Alex producing the album Fourplay Harvey re joined the group for 1978 s Rock Drill SAHB with Alex toured the UK in Autumn 1981 with the last gig at Workington s Carnegie Theatre on 1 November Solo albums and death EditAfter 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 9 Personal life EditHarvey was married twice and had two sons one from each marriage 10 Harvey was a Master Mason in Lodge Union No 332 in the Province 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 11 Legacy EditIn 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 EditSolo artist Edit Studio albums Edit The Blues 1964 Roman Wall Blues 1969 The Joker Is Wild 1972 The Mafia Stole My Guitar 1979 Soldier on the Wall 1983 Singles Edit 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 6Live albums Edit Hair Rave Up 1969 Alex Harvey Talks About Everything 1974 Live 1975 Alex Harvey Presents The Loch Ness Monster 1977 BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert 1991 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 Edit Alex Harvey and His Soul Band 1964 The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Edit Framed 1972 Next 1973 The Impossible Dream 1974 Tomorrow Belongs to Me 1975 The Penthouse Tapes 1976 SAHB Stories 1976 Rock Drill 1978 Compilations other records Edit 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 photographsReferences Edit a b Rock Star 2 a b c Denselow 8 Lewisohn Mark The Beatles All These Years Tune In pp 309 310 Munro John Neil 2011 The Sensational Alex Harvey Birlinn ISBN 9780857901521 Retrieved 11 March 2023 Rock Workshop album description Angel Air Records 13 March 2006 Archived from the original on 15 January 2010 Retrieved 31 December 2009 Logan Nick amp Woffinden Bob eds The New Musical Express Book of Rock W H Allen amp Co Star 1973 p 450 ISBN 0 352 39715 2 Jane Scott Alex Harvey Dies on Boat Cleveland Plain Dealer 12 February 1982 p T 23 Anastasia Pantsios Rock Beat Cleveland Plain Dealer 25 July 1980 p T 34 Sensational Thirty years after his death Alex Harvey s music is still influential www scotsman com Retrieved 29 March 2021 Alex Harvey Electricscotland com Retrieved 2 January 2012 Alex Harvey Master Mason Lodge Union No 332 www pglglasgow org uk Retrieved 29 March 2021 Entertainment Belle named best Scottish band BBC News 12 January 2005 Retrieved 6 August 2014 Alex Harvey A Tribute People s Palace Glasgow Events glasgowlife org uk Archived from the original on 10 July 2012 Retrieved 30 March 2012 Alex Harvey Last of the Teenage Idols Alexharveybook com Archived from the original on 28 January 2012 Retrieved 6 August 2014 External links EditOfficial website Alex Harvey discography at Discogs Alex Harvey at AllMusic The Sensational Alex Harvey Band at AllMusic Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alex Harvey musician amp oldid 1145886146, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
