Brian Harvey

Brian Lee Harvey (born 8 August 1974) is an English musician. Harvey was the lead singer of pop band East 17, later renamed E-17. E-17 had two UK Top 20 singles between 1998 and 1999 with the album Resurrection reaching the UK Top 50. After E-17 Harvey signed a record deal with Edel Records and had two singles released in 2001, "Straight Up (No Bends)" (#26 UK) and "Loving You (Ole Ole Ole)" (#20 UK).

For other people named Brian Harvey, see Brian Harvey (disambiguation).

Brian Harvey
Brian Harvey in concert, December 2007
Background information
Birth nameBrian Lee Harvey
Born (1974-08-08) 8 August 1974
OriginWalthamstow, London, England
GenresPop, R&B
Occupation(s)Vocalist
InstrumentsSinging, rapping
Years active1991–2014
Associated actsEast 17,
Cryptik Soul
Websitebrianharveyofficial.com

Career

Harvey was born in Walthamstow, London. He was initially being considered as a backing singer and dancer for East 17, however during the initial recording session recording staff heard him singing along, and as a result he was made lead singer of the band.

Harvey's vocal style emulated R&B and new jack swing vocalists from the United States. His vocals put him into a position of the band's frontman, or main member, which was shared with the band's creator, songwriter, instrumentalist, rapper and singer Tony Mortimer.

In 1997 Harvey was sacked from the band after making comments in a radio interview that appeared to condone the use of the drug ecstasy, causing an uproar in the press and the matter being raised in Parliament.[1] Mortimer left East 17 several months later. Harvey eventually rejoined the band under the rebranded name of E-17.[2]

As E-17, the band had two UK Top 20 singles between 1998 and 1999 with the album Resurrection reaching the UK Top 50.

In 2000, he collaborated with True Steppers with the song "True Step Tonight" featuring Donell Jones that reached no. 26 in the UK.

After E-17, he signed a record deal with Edel Records and had two singles released in 2001, "Straight Up (No Bends)" (#26 UK) and "Loving You (Ole Ole Ole)" (#20 UK).

In 2004, he appeared on the ITV1 programme I'm a Celebrity...Get Me of Here!, but left early after Janet Street-Porter criticised his flatulence. It was also rumoured that his grandmother died when he was travelling to appear on the show.

On 17 March 2007, Harvey performed a song entitled "I Can" for Making Your Mind Up, the UK's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song was written by singer Conner Reeves. Harvey was eliminated after the first round of voting and the eventual winners were Scooch.[3]

In 2014, he released a new single, "Invisible".

In 2019, Harvey was making music with rapper Cryptik Soul. He was featured in the songs "A Ghetto Luv Story" and "Bang 'Em Up" on Cryptik Soul's album Killer's Blood. The album was supported by the singles "Come & Save Me" (which was the B-side to Cryptik's first single "Revenge") and "Bang 'Em Up".

Personal life

Harvey dated EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook from 1991 to 1995.

Harvey was married to dancer Natasha Carnegie with whom he has a daughter named Teigan.[4]

On 12 December 2001 he required reconstructive surgery after being attacked with a knife in a club car park in Nottingham.[2] In May 2005, after being diagnosed with clinical depression, Harvey was hospitalised after an alleged suicide attempt.[2] On 31 May 2005, he was re-admitted to hospital in a critical condition after falling under the wheels of his car.[5][6] A documentary about Harvey's attempts to rekindle his music career, and recovery from his accident, was aired on BBC Television on 13 December 2005.

Discography

Studio albums

East 17

E-17
  • 1998 – Resurrecton

Solo

Singles

References
  1. Barry Legg (16 January 1997). "Prime Minister's Questions". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 450. What is his reaction to the comments made today by Brian Harvey of East 17, who says that Ecstasy makes people feel better and that he takes up to 12 tablets a day?
    Nigel Evans (16 January 1997). "Business of the House". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 463. Brian Harvey and East 17 are idolised by many thousands of youngsters, some as young as 12. All the campaigning that has been done by voluntary bodies and others may now be jeopardised by the fact that Brian Harvey has come up with those stupid remarks.
    Barry Legg (17 January 1997). "Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Bill". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons. col. 526. We heard some dreadful remarks from Mr. Brian Harvey of East 17. [...] However, there was also a promising sign yesterday. I spoke to a 12-year-old schoolgirl in my constituency, who said that she would be taking down the posters of East 17. [...] Incidentally, I was pleased yesterday to note that many radio stations and record companies said that they would ban the music of East 17.
  2. "Life of troubled pop star Harvey". bbc.co.uk. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  3. "Brian-harvey.net". Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Singer wakes briefly after crash". Bbc.co.uk. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  6. "Singer Harvey hopes to walk again". BBC News. 8 August 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  7. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 568. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 245. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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