By Press Release
By Carole Dennett
There were some momentous things happening in 1973. The UK joined the European Economic Community, Princess Anne announced her engagement to Captain Mark Phillips and the ‘Cod War’, with Iceland, was top of the news bulletins. It was also the year that British music legend, Leo Sayer, entered the UK charts with his first hit single, The Show Must Go On, and the career of the Sussex-born singer, instantly recognisable by his shock of curly hair, has proved longer-lasting than any of those important world events.
Leo was born in 1948 in Sussex, christened Gerard Sayer. The curls, which he still sports, gave rise to the moniker Leo, when the wife of his first manager, Adam Faith, said they looked like a lion’s mane. In the ‘70s and early ‘80s he was a huge star, following up his first hit with many others including Moonlighting, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and When I Need You. He hit the big time again in 2006 with the release of Thunder in my Heart.
Although Leo moved to Australia in 2005, he still loves the UK and has a remarkable passion for the Isle of Wight. His first ever festival stage performance was at the iconic 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, but he didn’t star on the bill – he helped test the PA system. He has visited the Island many times over the years and even honeymooned here; “Well I was born in Shoreham-on-Sea so I was never that far away,” he explains.
He also loves playing Shanklin Theatre. “I remember I once performed there as a guest of the Tony Howard Band, supporting Sounds Incorporated. They were wonderful ‘60s acts, two big brass and big band setups. They are really happy memories. The audiences on the Island are always fantastic and the people are so lovely.”
Shanklin Theatre will be welcoming Leo back on October 22. Tickets are selling fast and the audience is clearly in for a treat. “It may sound a bit funny to say that, at 74, I feel that I’m just hitting my stride, but it’s absolutely true,” he says. “After 50 years I’m still ambitious and I see a lot of work coming up with a lot of offers and plans, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t keep going on. I’m touring in America next year and I’ve got around 180 unreleased songs I’m working on. I won’t be happy until I’ve headlined Glastonbury, Hyde Park – and the Isle of Wight Festival of course.
“This show covers 50 years of hits but also looks to the future. There are so many songs it’s difficult to fit everything in. I’m on stage for about two hours and I really enjoy every minute of it. We start with The Show Must Go On and finish with Giving It All Away. And there’s some new material including a couple of songs from my latest album, Northern Songs, a tribute to The Beatles.
“Some 74 years-old are dogged by nostalgia; I’m determined that’s not going to be me. I celebrate the past but look forward to the future; that’s what keeps me young.”
Some things from 1973 stood the test of time, but many didn’t. Leo Sayer and his remarkable career deservedly have. Sadly, it was also the year that VAT was charged for the first time!
Leo Sayer’s 50th Anniversary Tour, The Show Must Go On will be at Shanklin Theatre on October 22 at 7.30pm. Tickets from shanklintheatre.com or 868000.
