Yes Alexa, he would have been 74 today and no, he will never be forgotten, you're right!
He would have been the same had he been here. He was always the same, with an audience present, he never lost that enthusiasm. I do miss him, even though there was over a twenty year gap when I didn't see or hear him (live, that is). I saw and heard him three or four times in the 90's and once in 2000, then 19 December 2022.
It's that Timeless Flight thing again. During the concert, something magical was happening - and that was apart from Stuart Elliott being present on drums!!!
Despite that huge gap, along with Ferry, he or his work - his memory - will be constantly close - I've listened to his recordings at least part of every week since (at least) 2006. I can't be sure how often I was listening between 1974 (the first time) and 2006, apart from the certainties of 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 (Hobo With A Grin was underrated, maybe Cockney Rebel should have come back [then]? Fanciful. I suppose pointless thinking about it - but I loved him/them and the band(s). I know during that same year, Ferry was also slightly disappointed that The Bride Stripped Bear (also) didn't do as well as it should have done - maybe another reason for Roxy Music reforming?), 1982, 1986, 1992, 1997, 1998 and 2000, but it's a lot of hours.
I only saw/heard Ferry once in the 90's - it was a time when I was focused on my own (non-musical) career and commuting etc. I saw and heard Ferry in 2002, 2007 and 2013 (I had seen him in 1989, and Roxy Music in 1981 and 1982). There'll always be that parallel (for me) between Harley and Ferry (at one time or another, in my younger days, I wanted to be [like] one or the other - to the teenage me they were - for me, inseparably, the coolest artists in town - that hold on individual personality is strong!
Walking out of that Harley/Cockney Rebel Cheltenham gig in December 2022, I felt a decade younger for a while, that's what it could do.
Alexa, thanks for posting this, the first time Steve hasn't been here on this date and month - since 1951 - I hope you come back to your own post here and have the last word, maybe after this or other responses...Look after yourself (too). VB, Jem.
P.S. I admire Harley even more, when I think of everything he did - just after 2022, it's clear (now) that he was clearing the ship - but still trying to do everything he could for his loved ones, the sale of the song rights - selling his muscle car - touring, not just because he loved it - and he did - but thinking of his own. No doubt he was a good man, with a good heart. Viva Mr Nice (aka Steve Harley)! Viva Cockney Rebel! xx
