Steve Harley and orchestra to play Birmingham Symphony Hall

British rock legends Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel are to perform the influential albums The Human Menagerie and The Pyschomodo in full, accompanied by an orchestra and a twelve-piece choir in an exclusive one-off concert at Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

Cockney Rebel's debut album The Human Menagerie was released by EMI in 1973, immediately marking Steve out as an original and distinctive artist and Cockney Rebel as a versatile and charming band, playing music that ranged from pop to glam rock and progressive rock. The epic 12-minute Death Trip, taken from the album, will be performed live with the full orchestration of the recorded version for the first time ever.

The band's follow-up album, 1974's carnival-esque The Pyschomodo, further established Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel as an eclectic musical tour-de-force - particularly unique for their use of violins in place of electric guitars. The album features the hit track Mr Soft and was co-produced by Beatles and Pink Floyd engineer Alan Parsons.

Steve said: "The first two albums were heavily orchestrated and I've wanted to perform those songs as they were originally recorded for many, many years. Last year, a fan suggested on the internet that I play them both back-to-back, and many more fans came in supporting his idea. I have them to thank! I knew there would be a time for it, and that time is now. This is one big box I need to tick!"

Steve Harley is one of the UK's most respected songwriters and performers, best known for the number one hit Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), as well as the classic tracks Judy Teen, Mr Soft and Mr. Raffles (Man It Was Mean).

Official website - www.steveharley.com