LEO SAYER… 2022 marks 50 years as a recording artist.
Leo Sayer is a legendary artist, he marks 50 years as recording artist in the year 2022! Gerard Hugh “Leo” Sayer (born 21 May 1948) is an great English-Australian singer-songwriter, musician and entertainer whose singing career has many fans in all around the world!
It was a day morning, in the year 1973, when for the first time it was in my bag with many others vinyl, LEO SAYER the first album Silverbird, really it was an amazing album!
Leo marks 50 years as a recording artist and in the year 2022 realize a bright new album … ΄΄ Northern Songs: Leo Sayer Sings The Beatles ΄΄ with 19 songs!
With the world gradually emerging from a two-year hiatus Cov- 19 days, legendary artist …Leo Sayer celebrating this milestone to great effect, with a live performing schedule throughout 2022, along with his brand new album.
Leo, who has had worldwide #1 singles up to 2006, as well as numerous GRAMMY and BASCA awards, is currently racing to the top of the Dance Charts with a new Armand van Helden re-working of his 2006 UK #1 single with Meck.
During this period of much perceived inactivity, Leo has been extremely active, spending a lot of time recording and releasing new singles – ‘My City In Lockdown’ and ‘How Did We Get Here’ – as well as collaborating on the tribute single to his friend and late-guitarist, Al Hodge, by recording Al’s classic track ‘Tradewinds’.
However, Leo also found the time to self-produce this new album; his own take on songs written and composed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison ‘NORTHERN SONGS’ is born; a 19 track CD and 2LP collection of simply timeless songs, with a limited signed vinyl edition.
LEO SAYER… CHATTING WITH THE LEGENDARY ARTIST.
Athenscalling.gr: Really it is a great time for us, chatting with the Legendary Artist…Gerard Hugh “Leo” Sayer! Welcome in Athenscalling.gr webzine of culture!
LEO SAYER: Thank you!
Athenscalling.gr: 50 years as recording artist in the year 2022… Leo and how do you feel about it?
LEO SAYER: It’s amazing to me. Time has flashed by in an instant, it seems. The best thing is that my health is good, my energy and voice still in top form.
Athenscalling.gr: Really tell us please, if you wanted, about your youthless secret because you’re new album ΄΄Northern Songs΄΄ is an album with full of youthful energy!
LEO SAYER: I guess that’s because I love what I’m doing! These days, if I’m left on my own, I can be very creative. I spent a lot of time thinking about these songs, letting them invade my imagination, and working out ways to put my own spin on them.
Athenscalling.gr: 19 tracks/songs about The Beatles cover. Why did you choose their songs?
LEO SAYER: It started as an exercise in learning how to make records all by myself, in my custom-built studio, making a record with no other musicians involved. These Beatles songs were ideal for me to try and re-invent in my own original way. I only had my own limitations to deal with, no other influences.
Athenscalling.gr:… And your lovely song of the album… and if … why?
LEO SAYER: Oh, I’m happy with all of them. It’s hard to pick a favourite. Being a Gemini I have many different aspects, styles all converging at the same time. So I could explore all my tastes in this record. I think everything fits together quite well.
Athenscalling.gr: Living in the past… a great song from you and David Courtney … “Giving It All Away” was the debut solo single by Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of The Who! Tell us please the story of the song.
LEO SAYER: It was written in 1971 just after meeting my first manager, Adam Faith. I was raring to go, feeling ready and able to get out there and make records. He slowed me down, determined I should get some more experience. The lyrics in the song were all about my frustration at this. He was right though. Roger heard the song when David, the co-writer, Adam and I went to work at his studio. He wanted to record it straight away, and did a great job with it.
Athenscalling.gr: Remaining in the past…What have you to say about the story… The last person to speak to Elvis?
LEO SAYER: It’s a bit of a long story, but here goes. I fell offstage in the USA in summer 1977. It became headline news as I was at No1 at the time and it was a big fall. I soldiered on but a few weeks later in Memphis, I had a delayed reaction and couldn’t perform. A guy in the audience was called in to help me, taking me to his nearby gym, where I made a full recovery. He told me he was the personal trainer for a very famous Memphis guy, though he wouldn’t tell me who. On the final day with him he handed me the phone, saying this famous client, his boss, wanted to speak with me. I picked up the phone and it was Elvis! He invited me to come and see him next day at Graceland, saying that Michael, the trainer, had told him all about me. I was so excited, but next morning while preparing for the visit, switched on my radio and heard the awful news that Elvis had died. Therefore, I never got to meet him. Years later I met his then girlfriend Ginger, who made a point of telling me how excited Elvis had been about talking to me that night and was so looking forward to seeing me. Who knows what might’ve happened? Though I only got to talk to him on the phone, it was still incredible and remains one of my best moments.
Athenscalling.gr: And here is the last question about the past… a double question … first one, do you remember the first teacher in music…and the second … What was your first album in your bag?
LEO SAYER: I really flunked out in music at school, but I was good at art, so it was my art teacher Paul Joy, who became most important and inspiring to me.I got given ‘Buddy Holly Meets The Crickets’ at 15 years old by my older cousin. That started me on the path to my career.
Athenscalling.gr: 50 years as recording artist in the year 2022… Leo and if you want it tell us your best time in your career…
LEO SAYER: I guess it had to be 1977, when I had two No.1’s in the USA, and hits all around the world.
Athenscalling.gr: … And the bad?
LEO SAYER: I got ripped off twice, but the 2nd time in the 90’s was the worst. A manager forged my signature on documents that gave him the rights of all my songs and records. But I fought back and gradually got it all back. I lost a lot of money in the process though.
Athenscalling.gr: In the year 2022 is the full of LEO SAYER SHOWS! Tell us about your shows?
LEO SAYER: I perform all my hits and more, all the audience’s favourites. We can’t spare any time to have an opening act as there’s too many songs to fit in. My voice is still strong after 50 yrs onstage and I never feel my age when I’m up there.
Athenscalling.gr: How do you feel when you are on stage, in your live shows?
LEO SAYER: It’s what I live for, the live work. I love being onstage and everything about performing live as well as working with my two bands – one in Australia and one in Britain. At 74 yrs old this year, it’s keeping me young too!
Athenscalling.gr: Do you have any bands or singer that you love from the new scene of music… any bands or singers?
LEO SAYER: Sadly, not really.
Athenscalling.gr: O.K. Leo, let’s play now a game with your name … LEO and please fill in the blanks with any words you like ( L )…, ( E )…, ( O ) …
LEO SAYER: L ife’s – E ndless – O pportunities
Athenscalling.gr: Before the end of chatting, I will ask you what do you know about my country … about Greece.
LEO SAYER: I love it there, the spirit of the people and there is such a fabulous history of art and music. I used to be friends with Vangelis (RIP)
Athenscalling.gr: Thank you Legendary Music Hero LEO SAYER … and now send Your message to the people please…
LEO SAYER: Thank you for all the love and kindness you have given to me over the years. I hope to make it back to Athens soon for a concert, and maybe more.
