NOT EVER TO BE NEXT

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band thrilled thousands in the 70s and were always the next big thing. But tomorrow did not belong to Alex, and many fans believe SAHB were the most talented act never to join rock’s royalty. On the 30th anniversary of his death, Terry Staunton and Harvey’s friends tell his astounding tale

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of Alex Harvey’s death this month, his home town of Glasgow is having a party. Friends, family and former workmates will be in attendance when a silver birch tree is planted in his name, along with a memorial bench, in the grounds of the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.

It’s long-overdue recognition for one of Scotland’s most individual musical figures, a man who once won a competition to find the nation’s own Tommy Steele, who slogged away in the dingy basement clubs of Hamburg alongside other Brit wannabe rockers such as Tony Sheridan and The Beatles, who forsook his skiffle and jazz roots by plying his trade as Alex Harvey’s Soul Band (long before Stax and Motown gained a grip on musical tastes), and who, once he reached his gnarled 40s, became an unlikely pop star.

Harvey’s formative years in the music business saw him adopt many guises, but for the benefit of our story we begin in the mid- 60s, and the point where his most enduring persona began to take shape; the intelligent, uncompromising, electrifying and unmistakable master of ceremonies for The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. SAHB brought a theatricality to heavy rock, like the grubby-fingered big brother of glam, and was an unwitting precursor to the attitude of punk.

He could be a difficult …

by Terry Staunton
<< Back to Issue 398

You must be a subscriber to view the full article, subscribe now for full access to all online content.

Already a Magazine Subscriber? Register now for online access.