Otley resident pens new biography on the life of Brian Harvey Ellison

Former classmate and Otley resident John Burland has been working on the project over the last 18 months and the book is now available to buy.

The Glitter Band (Image: John Burland)

John said: "Brian was one of my school friends at Prince Henry's in the 1960s and I kept in touch with him right up to his sad passing seven years ago. With the help of his son Justin, his cousin Michael who now lives in Harrogate but who lived next door to him in Norwood during the 50s and 60s, and John Springate the bass player in The Glitter Band, I have put together this biography.

"The book includes chapters on Brian's early life and schooling at Norwood and Otley, his first bands in the Otley, Leeds and Bradford areas which were the Sons of Sin, The Liberty Takers and Ellison's Hogline.

"The Hogline played with many top bands in the late 60s and early 70s including Joe Cocker, Fleetwood Mac, Spencer Davies, The Mindbenders, The Four Tops and Pink Floyd to name but a few.

"After the Hogline split up Brian worked with Root & Jenny Jackson and then the Boston Showband. It was at this period of his career that he changed his name from Brian to Harvey. The book then moves onto the formation of The Glitter Band in 1972, and the chart success they had before they split in 1977.

"It also includes the post Glitter Band years with bands The Power of Soul, The Savages and latterly with John Rossall who with Brian was one of the founders of The Glitter Band. It also includes other family information and incorporates many pictures from over the years featuring the various groups Brian performed with plus family and school pictures over the years.

"Any profits from the book will be donated to cancer charities as Brian/Harvey, Gerry Shepherd and John Rossall (both former Glitter Band members) all died from various forms of cancer."

Brian (Harvey) Ellison (Image: John Burland)

The cost of the book including postage is £8 and can be obtained by sending a cheque payable to John Burland to 76 The Whartons, Otley, LS21 2BS along with a mailing address for the book to be posted out.