Alex Harvey 1 The sensational Alex Harvey was born in Kinning Park in 1935 and he had a range of jobs – from carpenter to tombstone carver, before he settled on music. 2 His career spanned more than three decades, and he was part of a number of groups, including Alex Harvey’s Big Soul Band in the late Fifties and early 60s, but he will always be best remembered for his spectacular live performances and glam rock presence in the 70s with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. 3 In 1957 he won a competition to find Scotland’s Tommy Steele: his charisma and musical talents put him miles ahead of the 600 other hopefuls. Harvey and his Big Beat Band opened for Johnny Gentle and His Group (which turned out to be the Beatles) at the Alloa Town Hall. It was a long way from the skiffle groups of the 50s to supporting the biggest band in the world.