A BRONZE bust of legendary Glasgow rocker Alex Harvey was unveiled in the city's Winter Gardens.

Harvey captivated fans in the 1970s as the flamboyant frontman of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB).

The £1000 bust was commissioned by lifelong fan Stuart Donaghey, 52, from Cumbernauld, who collected donations from Harvey fans from around the world.

More than 150 fans and supporters, including original SAHB bassist Chris Glen and actor Jon Morrison, turned up to see the statue which was unveiled by the singer's son, Alex Harvey Jnr.

He said: "This gesture by the fans is incredibly touching.

"Their generosity and consideration in commissioning the bust is deeply appreciated by me and all my family."

Harvey, who was born in Kinning Park in 1935, was an early skiffle and rock'n'roll fan, winning a competition that sought "Scotland's Tommy Steele".

He died after a heart attack in Belgium in 1982, the day before his 47th birthday.

He and SAHB released eight albums and had top 40 singles with a cover of Tom Jones' Delilah and their own song, The Boston Tea Party.

The bust, by Ayrshire sculptor Sandy Campbell, was unveiled next to a commemorative bench, which was created last year to mark the 30th anniversary of the singer's death.

They will soon be moved to a location within the central area of the Winter Gardens.

Stuart and other fans hope to use the area as the focal point for an annual meeting to celebrate the singer.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "Alex Harvey has a large fan base and the bust will be a popular addition to the Winter Gardens."

fiona.mckay@ heraldandtimes.co.uk