It is the 40th anniversary of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel having their first hit single “Judy Teen” in May 1974.

The song “Judy Teen” promised so much, from an artist who in the end under delivered on his talent and creativity. Steve Harley with backing band Cockney Rebel produced inventive, quirky and fiercely idiosyncratic songs, but sadly not for long enough for the Record Press author!!

“Judy Teen” was Cockney Rebel’s second single release in the UK, the first being the haunting “Sebastian” at the end of 1973, which although not conforming to the formulaic 3 minute pop song format, was worthy of being a Top 20 hit. Admittedly “Sebastian” was rather self-indulgent and grandiose, but that didn’t stop Queen spending nine weeks at No1 two years later with “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Queen of course were equally as inventive and idiosyncratic as Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, and it is no coincidence that the two groups were stable mates on the EMI record label ( along with the highly creative & pioneering Pink Floyd & Kate Bush ).

Cockney Rebel’s second hit single off the album “Psychomodo” was “Mr Soft”, which was just as screwball as “Judy Teen” and “Sebastian”. In my mind, Mr Soft was a man who was made of ice cream, who eventually melted and disappeared like Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman”. I’m sure the parallel with the “Mr Softee” ice cream vans had a bearing on this, but the real issue here is that Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel’s somewhat bizarre songs were always open to the interpretation of the listener.

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel’s greatest commercial success came in February 1975 with their UK No1 “Make me Smile ( Come Up and See Me )”, but what should have been a launching pad for super stardom, unfortunately went the other way!! Although Steve Harley has continued to write songs and record albums in the intervening years, he has never enjoyed the same commercial success as he did in 1974 and 1975.

Lest we forget Steve Harley’s genius, here is the Record Press Top 5 Best Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Songs –

Top 5 Best Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Songs

1) Sebastian ( Non hit 1973 )

2) Make me Smile ( Come Up and See Me ) ( No1 1975 )

3) Mr Soft ( No8 1974 )

4) Tumbling Down ( Non hit 1974 )

5) Judy Teen ( No5 1974 )

What are your favourite Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

For further information on Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel and other merchandise or memorabilia, go to…….. www.steveharley.com/