Alex Harvey (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Harvey
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexander James Harvey |
| Born | 5 February 1935 Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Died | 4 February 1982 (aged 46) Zeebrugge, Belgium |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1954–1982 |
| Labels | Vertigo, Polygram, Buddah |
Alexander James Harvey (born February 5, 1935 – died February 4, 1982) was a Scottish rock and blues musician. He was known for his exciting live shows. Alex Harvey is best remembered as the lead singer of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. This band was very popular in the 1970s during the glam rock era.
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About Alex Harvey
Alex Harvey was born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. Before becoming a musician, he worked many different jobs. He was a carpenter, a waiter, and even carved tombstones.
He started playing music in 1954 with skiffle groups. Skiffle was a type of music popular in Britain in the 1950s. It mixed Dixieland jazz with folk music.
From 1958 to 1965, Alex led his own band called Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band. They played blues and rock and roll songs. The band toured a lot in the United Kingdom and Germany. Alex was very good at playing both rhythm and blues and rock songs.
After his Big Soul Band, Alex tried to be a solo artist for a short time. Then, in 1967, he joined the band for the musical Hair in London. He stayed with Hair for five years.
Alex also helped his younger brother, Leslie "Les" Harvey, start a band called Stone the Crows. Sadly, Les Harvey passed away in 1972.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
In 1972, Alex Harvey formed the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. People often called them SAHB. The band included guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, and cousins Hugh (keyboards) and Ted McKenna (drums).
SAHB became famous for their albums and live shows throughout the 1970s. They had hit songs in Britain, like "Delilah" in 1975. This song reached number seven on the music charts. They also had a hit with "The Boston Tea Party" in 1976.
The band was not as well-known in the United States as they were in Britain. However, they had a strong group of fans in some US cities, like Cleveland. Radio stations there played their songs, making "Next" and "The Faith Healer" very popular.
Alex Harvey left the band in 1976, but he rejoined them for an album in 1978 called Rock Drill. The band toured the UK in 1981.
Later Years and Passing
After leaving the band for good, Alex Harvey released two more solo albums. He also toured with his own solo band starting in 1979.
Sadly, Alex Harvey passed away from a heart attack on February 4, 1982. This was just one day before his 47th birthday. He was returning from performances in Belgium when it happened.
Family Life
Alex Harvey was married twice. He had a son with his first wife, Mary Martin. He also had a son with his second wife, Trudy.
His Legacy
Alex Harvey's music and performances left a lasting mark. In 2002, a book about him was published called The Sensational Alex Harvey.
In 2005, a survey voted The Sensational Alex Harvey Band as the fifth greatest Scottish band ever. On February 4, 2012, a tree was planted in his memory in Glasgow. His son and the remaining band members planted the tree.
In 2016, a large collection of Alex Harvey's music was released. It was a 14-disc box set called The Last of the Teenage Idols. This set included many rare and never-before-released songs.
Music and Albums
Alex Harvey had a long career and released many albums, both as a solo artist and with his bands.
Solo Albums
- The Blues (1964)
- Roman Wall Blues (1969)
- The Joker Is Wild (1972)
- The Mafia Stole My Guitar (1979)
- Soldier on the Wall (1982)
Albums with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
- Framed (1972)
- Next... (1973)
- The Impossible Dream (1974)
- Tomorrow Belongs to Me (1975)
- The Penthouse Tapes (1976)
- SAHB Stories (1976)
- Rock Drill (1978)
Images for kids
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Alex Harvey, a Scottish rock and blues musician.
