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Leo Sayer

Leo Sayer

Background information
Birth name Gerard Hugh Sayer
Born 21 May 1948 (1948-05-21) (age 59)
Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, England
Genre(s) Pop
Instrument(s) Singer
Guitar
Harmonica
Years active 1973–present
Website http://www.leosayer.com/

Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer on 21 May 1948 in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex) is an English performing artist, now based in Australia, whose singing career has spanned four decades.

Contents

  • 1 Life and career
    • 1.1 Celebrity Big Brother 5
    • 1.2 Personal life
  • 2 Discography
    • 2.1 Albums
    • 2.2 Singles
  • 3 See also
  • 4 References
  • 5 External links

Life and career

Sayer has had success with his single and album releases, in both the UK and the U.S. He was initially discovered by David Courtney, who co-managed him with the singer-turned-manager, Adam Faith. Sayer began his music career co-writing songs with David Courtney, including "Giving It All Away," which gave Roger Daltrey of The Who his first hit as a soloist in 1973.

That same year, Sayer began his career as a recording artist. At the time of his initial chart breakthrough in Britain, with his debut hit "The Show Must Go On," he wore a pierrot style outfit and make-up. He dropped it soon afterwards, and his now distinctive curly hair is widely recognizable, often leading others to physically compare Sayer to fitness guru, Richard Simmons. The name Leo was given him by Courtney, inspired by the star sign and lion-like mane.

In 1976, Sayer recorded three Beatles songs, "I Am the Walrus," "Let It Be" and "The Long and Winding Road" for the ill advised and ill-fated documentary, All This and World War II.

His subsequent hits included, "Long Tall Glasses" and "Orchard Road." In 1977, he had hits with "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" (a U.S. number one), the romantic ballad, "When I Need You", which reached number one in both the UK and U.S. Sayer also had remakes of Bobby Vee's "More Than I Can Say" (his fourth UK number 2 hit, and in the U.S., number 2 pop and number one in the adult contemporary chart), and Buddy Holly's "Raining In My Heart". In the U.S., three of his singles - "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," "When I Need You," and "More Than I Can Say" - were certified gold.

Sayer made an appearance on The Muppet Show during the third season (second show) on which he sang "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" and "When I Need You."

He also provided the soundtrack for the English language version of the French-Belgian animated film, The Missing Link (1980).

In 1990, he contributed to the last recording studio collaboration between Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, the album Freudiana, performing "I Am A Mirror".

In 2000, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" was featured in the hit film, Charlie's Angels, and was on the accompanying soundtrack album.

Sayer's debut UK hit, "The Show Must Go On," was covered by Three Dog Night for the U.S. market and reached Number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974. Phil Collins covered Sayer's song "I Can't Stop Loving You" for his 2002 album, Testify. It reached number one on the U.S. adult contemporary chart.

In 2005, Sayer moved to Sydney, Australia, where he remains based to this day. On 12 February 2006, made a surprise return to number one in the UK Singles Chart, with Meck's remix of "Thunder In My Heart." He has also appeared in the Australian comedy, Stupid, Stupid Man.

Leo Sayer: At His Very Best, a career spanning compilation album, was released in the UK on 6 March, 2006. It exclusively features the Meck single, alongside Sayer classics such as, "When I Need You" and "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing".

A 'Leo Sayer' is cockney rhyming slang for 'all-dayer", or an all-day drinking session.

He is allegedly set to release a new single called 'Happy Hour' some time in the future.

Celebrity Big Brother 5

Sayer was the fifth person to join the Celebrity Big Brother UK house at the start of the series.

When Jade Goody arrived on Day 3, the House was divided into two groups as part of a task, (the 'masters' and the 'servants'), with Sayer entering the servants' quarters. He participated as a night butler, but eventually rebelled and pretended to be a mute, annoyed over a comment made by Dirk Benedict, suggesting that he always talks over people. However, he eventually relented and began talking to his fellow servants again, but continued his ridiculous miming antics in front of the masters and the Big Brother until the task ended.

Sayer was nominated for eviction, along with fellow housemates Dirk Benedict and Carole Malone, with Sayer and Malone being joint favourites to leave the House. Howevever, Sayer quit on the day of the second eviction and Presenter Davina McCall revealed that at the time of his departure, he had the biggest percentage in the public vote and would have been leaving that evening anyway.

Sayer walked out of the Big Brother house on January 12, the same day he was due to face eviction. He broke an outside door with a broomstick, made his way to the outer compound and then tussled with the security guards who were the obstacle between him and freedom, issuing a tirade of abuse in the process. Apparently, his decision to leave was mainly due to Big Brother refusing to provide him with clean underwear.

Personal life

Sayer had a 22 year personal relationship with his manager, Donatella Piccinetti. The couple had an “open” relationship, with Piccinetti claiming in the press she had a sexual relationship with fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant Donny Tourette after his eviction from the show. The couple split in March 2007 after 22 years..

Discography

Albums

Singles

See also

References

  1. Free-o Sayer may get his wish The Sun Online, 2007-01-12
  2. Leo Sayer quits Big Brother house
  3. Leo's escape in more detail
  4. Leo walks out on Celeb BB
  5. http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007120460,00.html

External links


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