STEVE Harley will be reuniting with the original surviving members of Cockney Rebel, to celebrate 40 years since the release of the Best Years of Our Lives album – the album that included the monster hit Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) and Mr Raffles (Man It Was Mean) – out in 1975.

The surviving original band members from that album are Jim Cregan (guitar), Stuart Elliott (drums) and Duncan Mackay (keyboards). Bass player, George Ford, died a few years ago.

The remaining three will be playing together on a Best Years of Our Lives tour with Harley for the first time since 1976, stopping at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich next month.

Steve says: “The three guys are still my mates. The fun we had back then, when we toured and recorded together, holds fabulous and special memories. I’m thrilled to think they’ll be up there on the great UK concert hall stages with me once again.”

Cregan left Harley’s band to join Rod Stewart, staying with him for several years and still writes songs with Rod today. Elliott has played with Kate Bush, Paul McCartney and Al Stewart and has long been one of London’s most sought after drummers.

Mackay left Harley to join 10CC and has since continued his musical career in South Africa.

The original members will be joined by longstanding Cockney Rebel member Barry Wickens on violin and guitar. Also in the line-up will be young Austrian musician twins Lisa and Mona Wagner, playing second lead guitar and percussion respectively.

The show will comprise two sets. One will be The Best Years Of Our Lives album itself in its entirety, for the first time ever, including a few B-sides and out takes of the period. The show’s opening set will be comprised of tracks chosen by a fans’ poll, via the Harley website and social media.

Steve, who still lives on the north Essex border with Suffolk, adds: “Fans have been urging me to play The Best Years album for some time, and now is the time!

“I’m really excited by the prospect of tracks like Back To The Farm getting an airing after so many years…I might play a slow, bluesy Make Me Smile, as I presented it to the band originally, as track six, then the full-blown version at the end of the night. It’s a tough one to follow!”

• Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel Regent Theatre, St Helen’s Street, Ipswich.

November 18. 7.30pm.

£38 to £33. 01473 433100 www.ipswichregent.com