The family of British singer Steve Harley announced his death over the weekend.
He was known for being the frontman of the rock band Cockney Rebel, which was collectively known for its hit single "Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)," a song that once hit the top of British charts in 1975.
The BBC reported that the musician had still been touring until recently, but has since canceled several shows in lieu of cancer treatment.
Harley's family said he "passed away peacefully at home."
"We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world," the family wrote in its statement.
Harley was survived by his wife Dorothy and their two children, Kerr and Greta.
"Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance," they added. "The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren."
In December, Harley wrote on his official website that he was "fighting a nasty cancer" and was receiving treatment for it, which forced him to cancel the second half of his 2023 tour and all of his 2024 shows.
"It's tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on," he wrote at the time. "And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings."
Remembering Steve Harley
Harley was born in South London in 1951 and formed Cockney Rebel in the early 1970s alongside its original members Jean-Paul Crocker, Stuart Elliott, Paul Jeffreys and Nick Jones.
In the aftermath of his death, many British musicians paid tribute to Harley.
Singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who worked with Harley on many songs, described him as a "dear pal" and "lovely guy."
The duo collaborated on several tracks, including "Ballerina (Prima Donna)" in 1983 and the charity single "Whatever You Believe" with Yes lead singer Jon Anderson in 1988.
"What a talent. What a character," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "My condolences to Dorothy and all. RIP, mate."
Ultravox frontman Midge Ure, who produced Harley's 1982 track "I Can't Even Touch You," added that the deceased was a "true 'working musician'."
"He toured until he could tour no more, playing his songs for fans old and new," Ure wrote on social media. "Our songs live on longer than we ever can."
Harley also presented the show "Sounds of the 70s" on BBC Radio 2 between 1999 and 2008. BBC Radio 2 head Helen Thomas said that everyone in the station was "saddened" to hear the news of his death.
"We send our condolences to his family and our presenters are paying tribute to him on air," she said.
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