Worthing gig: how the world has changed for Steve Harley

He says that playing live is more than a job; it’s almost his life’s blood: “We see the world and play to great audiences; how good is that! I see great cities and their galleries and museums in our down-time, beautiful landscapes from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean coast, all in my life as a touring musician. It’s still the greatest job on earth!”

Inevitably, after the longest break in his career, Steve was absolutely delighted to be back out on the road again last autumn. He says he did so with a rather different appreciation of what music means to people. Just how much music matters is one of the things that the pandemic has helped underline, Steve believes.

Have you read: Why her Kitchen Discos were so special for Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Guildford and Bexhill dates

The pandemic was tough. It was also boring, he says.

“My struggle is that I always carry the burden of commitment on my shoulders. I am not a be-liever in astrology, but there is maybe something about being Pisces. It is the last of the 12 signs and they carry all the others. It is the same with my Pisces friends. They are committed to people. When I work with the rock band, it is 15 people that work plus the theatre staff. When I work with the acoustic shows, it is ten people that work plus the staff. And I was concerned that all these people lost their income. Some of them had a little bit of self-employed government help, but it was really difficult for people. I was really concerned that some people would be giving in or giving up, but they somehow got through.”

Steve is relishing the return: “It is the longest break I have ever had, but the point is that it was a mystery. It was an enforced break because there was poison in the air. There was a virus in the air. It was a different feeling.”

And there is a different feeling coming back.

Have you read: Everything you need to know: Chichester Festival Theatre summer 2022

“I am a 70s pop star. In those days it was all limousines and no connection with the audience. We were above it all. It was distanced. A star was a star. But I have learnt to drop my guard and relax a lot more. I have done so many podcasts and Zooms. We did a Zoom for 250 fans around the world. It was professionally run for me. 50 questions were accepted that I went through, and it lasted two hours.

“And the thing I learnt that night and I saw it at a gig was just how much the music meant to them.

“There was this real feeling of connection.

“We do what we do. I do what I do. I come across on stage as Mr Approachable. I am very, very relaxed. I will tell an anecdote or two. I know what I am doing, and it is very natural. But it is job. And I love my job. It is a real privilege to have an audience after all these years. And it is a privilege to be able to provide the work for these wonderful guys that I play with. But it is a job. I go off stage and we go to a hotel and the next day we do it all again to a different audience.”

But Steve feels differently now: “I have learnt through the Zoom calls how many gigs people will come to. There are people that I don’t know who will come to five or six or seven gigs a year of mine – and also 20 other gigs.”

And that is precious. If someone approaches Steve now and says they remember seeing him at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1975, Steve’s response will be: “Tell me about it. I want to know more. Frankly, I will have forgotten. I have done 10,000 gigs since then. But I will want to know more…”

For the latest breaking news where you live in Sussex, follow us on Twitter @Sussex_World and like us on Facebook @SussexWorldUK

Culture Spark set to ignite Chichester district arts and community celebration

Celebrating one of Britain’s most beloved performers, Dame Vera Lynn

A book about loss and hope

A remarkable tale of recovery from a rare form of cancer

New book inspired by days out with the family