Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer, 21 May1948, in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex) is an English performing artist whose singing career has spanned four decades.
Sayer has had success with his single and album releases, in both the UK and 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, but 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 documentaryAll This and World War II.
His subsequent hits included, "Long Tall Glasses" and "Orchard Road". In 1977, Sayer decided to move into disco and due to this his popularity skyrocketed almost overnight. His hits from this period include: "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. in 1977; and 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), when he sang his hits "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" and "When I Need You."
In 2000, "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" was featured in the hit filmCharlie'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. Plus Phil Collinscovered 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.
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.
Sayer was the fifth person to join the Celebrity Big Brother UK house at the start of the series. Sayer walked out of the Big Brother house on January 12.
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 CBB5 contestant Donny Tourette after his eviction from the show. The couple split in March 2007 after 22 years[1].
Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, England
