Alex harvey - Biography
Gigs at the Marquee club: 35
Period of performances: 1965-1977
Alex Harvey was born on February 5th 1935 in Glasgow and grew up fascinated with the sounds of dixieland, jazz and skiffle. After leaving school at the age of 15, he worked in more than 36 different professions, including lion tamer. Alex Harvey debuted professionally in 1954 as a trumpetist at a Glaswegian wedding celebration. By 1955 Harvey had played with different dixieland and jazz ensembles, working extensively with his friend, the jazz saxophonist Bill Patrick. In 1956 Alex Harvey won a newspaper competition as Scotland's answer to British teen idol Tommy Steele. He later covered skiffle versions of Big Bill Broonzy and Jimmie Rodgers songs.
In 1959 Alex Harvey formed his own band, the Alex Harvey's Soul Band, also known as Alex Harvey's Big Soul Band, with whom he started recording his first blues and rock n' roll works. The band gained a reputation in Scotland and his band backed American stars such as John Lee Hooker, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran on their UK tours. This popularity provided him with a residency at at the famous Top Ten Club in Hamburg, Germany, and a contract with Polydor Records to release the live album "Alex Harvey and His Soul Band" in March 1964.
Back in England Alex Harvey fit right in the new London blues club scene and on the 14th January 1965, he played his first gig of a four month residence at the Marquee club.
After a failed attempt to relaunch his career as a folk artist in 1966 Harvey became part of the cast for the London production of the musical Hair. In 1972 Alex Harvey made a surprising switch in his career and formed the Sensational Alex Harvey Band with the members from the progressive rock band Tear Gas who had also appeared at the marquee that same year, featuring Zal Cleminson (guitar), Chris Glen (bass), and his cousins Ted McKenna (drums) and Hugh McKenna (keyboards). With the release of the album "Framed" (1972) The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was re-affirmed as one of the most successful glam rock bands from the early 70's. Harvey got back to the Marquee in February 1972 for a second residency with his new theatrical style.
In October 1977 Alex Harvey announced his retirement from the rock business due to physical problems and exhaustion. During the early 80's he got back to the stage and following an European tour he was stricken with a heart attack in Zeebrugge, Belgium, and died on February 4, 1982, the day before his 47th birthday.
More info on Alex Harvey at the Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Alex Harvey Soul Band gigs at the Marquee Club
14-January-1965
04-March-1965
11-March-1965
01-April-1965
08-April-1965
15-April-1965
22-April-1965
29-April-1965
06-May-1965
13-May-1965
20-May-1965
27-May-1965
03-June-1965
10-June-1965
17-June-1965
24-June-1965
01-July-1965
15-July-1965
07-December-1965
11-January-1966
Alex Harvey Hair Band gigs at the Marquee Club
29-March-1970
Sensational Alex Harvey Band gigs at the Marquee Club
23-February-1972
01-March-1972
05-April-1972
05-June-1972
11-October-1972
04-December-1972
18-January-1973
07-March-1973
17-April-1973
15-May-1973
20-June-1973
18-September-1973
23-February-1977
24-February-1977
Author: Koldo Barroso.
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