Listen to Alex Harvey’s 1965 single, ‘Agent OO Soul’ here:

Glasgow-born Alex Harvey started his musical career in the mid-Fifties, playing Dixieland, skiffle and jazz and winning a competition as Scotland’s answer to Tommy Steele! In 1959, he started his own Alex Harvey Soul Band, which built up a fanbase through their own local gigs, as well as backing American stars such as Gene Vincent and John Lee Hooker. Like many other bands of the era, they secured a residency at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg, Germany, and released several singles, including covers of Willie Dixon’s ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’ and Muddy Waters’ ‘Got My Mojo Workin”. After returning to the UK, Harvey became a regular fixture on the rock and blues club circuit, without enjoying much success until he teamed up with the Glasgow-based progressive rock band Tear Gas in 1972 to form the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, whose theatrical show made them a highly popular live act during that decade.

Did you see Alex Harvey performing in the Sixties? Was he one of your favourite singers? Join our discussion and share your memories of music in the Sixties.