RECENTLY Steve Harley and his wife Dorothy were sitting in the back of a taxi in Montenegro heading for a night out when the car radio played Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

The driver tapped the steering wheel in time to the catchy beat, totally oblivious to the fact that he was transporting the man he was listening to.

Steve chuckled: “I did think about telling him – and I have done that in the past. It can be quite fun to say: ‘That’s me.’

And then they stare hard and say: ‘Hey, it is you.’ But I left him to enjoy the song. He did not recognise me at all but it was interesting to see his reaction.

“My wife just raised her eyebrows as if to say ‘Not that again!’ but I must admit it did give me a bit of a warm glow.”

It should come as no surprise that the 1975 number one hit should still be getting air time across the globe.

It is still regularly voted in polls as one of the top 100 songs of all time.

Steve added: “It is fair to say it has stood the test of time!

People ask if I ever get tired of playing it, how could I? That song has been very good to me.

It is a different version every night and I love playing it and I love the reaction from the audience.

The place usually goes ape as soon as we play the opening notes.

People love it. I would never fail to play it. That would be disrespectful and churlish.

“I have written more than 130 songs but that one stands out, though I do get a bit miffed if people think that is all I have done, especially semiprofessionals who don’t do their research.

“I trained as a reporter so I know all about research and I know it does matter, so I get a bit fed up with people who don’t do it.

"I was always taught to check, double-check and then check again. But it is a very different world these days.”

Despite scoring just 24 per cent in his mock O Level in Maths, Steve’s first job was as a trainee accountant at the Daily Express.

But his love of journalism saw him train as a reporter, despite leaving school without an English A Level, which he eventually took it in his mid- 30s.

It is easy to assume now that Steve would have gone into music journalism, but that was never his aim.

He said: “I trained as a hack and I would have stayed that way. I loved being a news reporter and mixing with journalists, but I have no regrets about switching to the music industry.

"I trained with some people who have gone on to become very successful in the industry, but I never look back and wonder what might have been.

“I have lived a life full of highlights. Everything has been such an adventure and I have travelled the world,” said Steve.

“But the highs just keep happening and hopefully there are a few more to come.”

So, what next for the 64-yearold who shows no sign of slowing down?

“There is a lot on the burner.

One of my songs has just been recorded by a major international superstar. I can’t tell you who he is because it’s being kept hush-hush until it is in the shops, but he is one of the world’s biggest selling artists.

“In the autumn I will be going out on a 40th anniversary tour which will be a lot of fun.

Duncan Mackay (ex-member of Cockney Rebel) is coming over from South Africa to play with us so it should be fantastic.

Before then we are playing several festivals in the south, which is good because it means we can get home afterwards and save on hotel bills.

“Wickham is a festival that stands out for me, because the organiser Peter Chegwyn is such a good man and it is such a good event.

“I played there a couple of years ago and loved the atmosphere. This year they have a fantastic line-up of really good people.

"I have bumped into Billy Bragg on many occasions and I have known Graham Gouldman for ever. Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are old friends.

"I’ve known Tom Robinson since he was in short trousers and the Proclaimers played with me at Wickham in 2012.

"They came and watched my set and were so kind.

“Wickham is full of good people as well as good musicians. That is why I’m delighted to be asked back.”

This year’s Wickham Festival line-up includes: The Proclaimers, 10CC, Billy Bragg, Wilko Johnson, Andy Fairweather-Low, Seth Lakeman, The South (formerly the Beautiful South) and the Tom Robinson Band.

l Tickets fare available at www.ticketsouth.co.uk

Day tickets start at just £35 with under-16s being half-price and under-10s free.

Early Bird discounted weekend season tickets (with no booking fees) are available from The Festival Office, 51 Russell Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3JD.

Visit the Festival website www.wickhamfestival.co.uk or the event’s new twitter feed @festivalwickham

GRAHAM HILEY