It's 1973 and - as it's later explained to us – we're waiting for Punk to come along and revitalise a decadent rock music scene dominated by Prog Rock or Glam. So, how do you explain The Sensational Alex Harvey Band doing Jacques Brel?
That's a Glasgow face for you. And the drummer at 20 secs twirling the drumstick and trying to hide how pleased with himself he is…
Like the Beatles, Alex spent time playing the clubs in Hamburg in the early 60s. Maybe that's where he picked up that touch of Brecht. They tried to pass the SAHB off as Glam because of guitarist Zal Cleminson's make-up, but it's a long long way from Gary Glitter.
Another Belgian connection: he died from a heart attack in 1982 in Zeebrugge, at the end of a European tour. Jacques Brel might have allowed himself a wry smile.
More here.
Mick Hartley 
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