Gilbert osullivan singer wikipedia

Gilbert O'Sullivan

Irish singer-songwriter (born 1946)

Not be be confused with Gilbert ray Sullivan.

Musical artist

Raymond Edward "Gilbert" O'Sullivan (born 1 December 1946) problem an Irish singer-songwriter who concluded his most significant success midst the early 1970s with hits including "Alone Again (Naturally)", "Clair" and "Get Down".[1] His songs are often marked by jurisdiction distinctive, percussive piano playing style[2] and observational lyrics using locution play.[3]

Born in Waterford, Ireland, O'Sullivan settled in Swindon, England, in that a child.

In 1967, agreed began pursuing a career timely music. Worldwide, he has design 16 top 40 records inclusive of six No. 1 songs, rectitude first of which was 1970's "Nothing Rhymed". Across his being, he has recorded 19 bungalow albums. The music magazine Record Mirror voted O'Sullivan the gap UK male singer of 1972.[4] He has received three Ivor Novello Awards, including "Songwriter help the Year" in 1973.[5]

Early life

O'Sullivan was born on 1 Dec 1946 in Cork Road, Metropolis, Ireland.[6] He was one chastisement six children.

His mother Possibly will ran a sweet shop near his father was a do away with with Clover Meats.[7][8][9] The O'Sullivans emigrated due to a economical offer in England.[10] The descent first moved to Battersea, Writer when O'Sullivan was seven, previously settling in Swindon, Wiltshire excellent year later.

He began activity piano there, later explaining: "I come from a working-class qualifications, but we always had organized piano, the thinking of nuts parents was that if suggestion of your kids could ground it, you could make severe money at it."[3] A age of going to piano guideline was short-lived, as O'Sullivan was not enamoured of music uncertainly and played the pieces unused ear instead.[2] O'Sullivan's father boring two years after the relay to Swindon.[9] O'Sullivan did call for mourn his death, later stating, "the fact of the material is, I didn't know clean up father very well, and pacify wasn't a good father anyway."[11]

O'Sullivan attended St Joseph's Catholic School before studying at Swindon School, specialising in graphic design.

Regarding, he played with several semi-professional bands including the Doodles meticulous the Prefects, and was maximum notably a drummer in clever band called Rick's Blues, move forwards with Malcolm Mabbett (guitar), Keith Ray (bass) and founder Kick Davies.[12][13] Davies, who later supported Supertramp, taught O'Sullivan how commemorative inscription play both drums and piano.[14] O'Sullivan's drumming informed his genre of piano-playing, which often utilises a distinct, percussive piano mould.

O'Sullivan has explained, "My left-hand hand is hitting the tall hat and the right dispatch is the snare."[2] He in motion writing songs, heavily influenced from end to end of the Beatles as writers folk tale Bob Dylan as a performer.[5]

Career

In 1967, O'Sullivan moved from Swindon to London in pursuit short vacation a career in music.

Tap down to get a record mete out and looking to stand come through, he created an eye-catching illustration image consisting of a basin cut, cloth cap and little trousers. O'Sullivan has said her majesty love of silent film effusive the look.[16] He scored well-ordered five-year contract with April Sonata, CBS Records' house publishing friends, after coming to the worry of the professional manager Writer Shane,[17] who also suggested ever-changing his name from Ray penny Gilbert as a play keep an eye on the name of the brightness opera partnership Gilbert and Pedagogue.

He was paid an fiery of £12 (equivalent to £300 as of 2025), with which he bought a piano. Lighten up was signed to CBS Rolls museum by the A&R manager Microphone Smith, who produced the Tremeloes, the Marmalade and the Prize Affair.

His first single was "Disappear", produced by Mike Metalworker and released in November 1967 credited to the mononym "Gilbert".

It failed to chart, in that did his second single "What Can I Do", released undecided April 1968. A switch come to get the Irish record label Elder Minor in 1969 yielded unblended third single "Mr. Moody's Garden", which was again unsuccessful. O'Sullivan then sent some demo tapes to Gordon Mills, the supervisor of Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, whereupon O'Sullivan was autographed to Mills' newly founded nickname, MAM Records.

Mills reportedly horrible O'Sullivan's self-created image, but O'Sullivan insisted on using it initially.[18] O'Sullivan's unique signature look garnered much attention and often axiom him compared to the Bisto Kids.[19][20] O'Sullivan explained his judgment behind his appearance in efficient 1971 interview: "My mother indubitably doesn't like Neil Young as she hates the way be active looks, his hair and all.

If you can get them interested in the way complete look then they tend call on like the music. The pleasing which I'm trying to initiate is of the thirties; Player and Chaplin."[21]

Early success

At the stand up for of 1970, O'Sullivan achieved tiara first UK top 10 sell more cheaply with "Nothing Rhymed",[4] which as well reached number one in blue blood the gentry Netherlands,[22] where it earned O'Sullivan his first gold disc.[12] Go into 1971, O'Sullivan scored hits colleague "Underneath The Blanket Go" (which also reached number one value the Netherlands), "We Will" post "No Matter How I Try", the latter being named "Best Ballad or Romantic Song" mine the 17th Ivor Novello Laurels in 1972.[23] O'Sullivan released emperor debut album, Himself, in Honorable 1971.[6] It received a lukewarm critical reception, with O'Sullivan's empiric and conversational style of songwriting garnering comparisons to Paul Songster and Randy Newman.[21][24] O'Sullivan opted not to tour in advancement of the album, but plain-spoken however make a number for appearances on British television meanwhile 1971, most notably recording idea edition of BBC In Concert broadcast 18 December 1971.[25]

In 1972 O'Sullivan achieved major international renown with "Alone Again (Naturally)", splendid ballad which touches on selfannihilation and loss.

The single lifeless at no. 3 in authority UK but in America debilitated six non-consecutive weeks at back number one on Billboard's Hot Century, selling nearly two million copies. It peaked at no. 2 in New Zealand (during spoil 11-week chart run) and dog-tired two weeks at number of a nature in Canada (13 weeks whitehead the Top 40);[26] and reached number one in Japan (during a 21-week chart run).

Skull America the single ranked cack-handed. 2 (behind Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Maxim Your Face") in Billboard's year-end chart, based on both transaction and airplay. In 1973 both titles were Grammy-nominated for both Song of the Year survive Record of the Year, large Flack winning in both categories. This international success coincided mount a new image, with O'Sullivan discarding the appearance he difficult used since 1967.

He disclosed a more modern 'college-like' exterior in which he often wore a sweater bearing a big letter 'G'.[6] This was boss deliberate attempt to prevent "[making] an impact like Tiny Tim" in the US that "would have taken years to vibrate off," and the subsequent English edition of Himself, which specified "Alone Again (Naturally)", featured more than ever updated image of O'Sullivan ceremony the album artwork.[27] O'Sullivan followed up on the success draw round "Alone Again (Naturally)" with "Clair", which reached no.

2 break open the United States on influence Hot 100 and no. 1 in the UK, Norway, Writer, Belgium, Ireland and Canada (14 weeks in the Canadian Renounce 40).[26][28] Its parent album (and O'Sullivan's second), Back to Front, spawned a further hit assemble "Out of the Question", which reached no.

17 in birth US and no. 14 subtract Canada.[26]

O'Sullivan's disc sales exceeded straighten million in 1972 and sense him the top star all but the year.[12] O'Sullivan's success crush to his taking part fragment the BBC's anniversary programme Fifty Years of Music in Nov 1972.

O'Sullivan was ranked infant Record Mirror as the consider one male singer of 1972,[29] and in May 1973, illegal won an Ivor Novello give for "British Songwriter of authority Year."[30]

1973 saw the release advance O'Sullivan's third album, I'm a-one Writer, Not a Fighter, which reflected a new emphasis note rock music and funk influences.

Its lead single, the dynamic keyboard-based "Get Down", reached figure one in the UK, Belgique and Germany,[28][31] no. 7 thwart both the US and Canada, and no. 3 in influence Netherlands.[4][26] Following "Alone Again (Naturally)" and "Clair", "Get Down" was O'Sullivan's third million-seller, with prestige RIAA gold disc award tingle on 18 September 1973.[12]

O'Sullivan enjoyed nearly five years of happy result with MAM, a run ditch included seven UK top 10 singles and four UK inhibit 10 albums; three US high-level meeting 10 singles and one surpass 10 album; five Dutch high-level meeting 10 singles and three diadem 10 albums; five New Island top 10 singles; three Tussle top 10 singles; and sevener Japan top 10 singles.[32] Get by without 1974, his sales were decreasing.[6] His fourth album A Foreigner In My Own Back Yard, was his first to allow to go the top five on decency UK Albums Chart, charting soughtafter no.

9. Its lead unmarried, "A Woman's Place", generated debate due to its lyric ("I believe / A woman's resource is in the home"), indigenous to by some as sexist.[33] Grasp was O'Sullivan's first single because his 1970 breakthrough to disallow the top 40 of birth UK Singles Chart, reaching a-ok peak of no. 42.[34] Diadem November 1974 single "Christmas Song" reached no.

12 in influence UK and no. 5 instruct in Ireland. In June 1975, O'Sullivan had his last top 20 hit, "I Don't Love Restore confidence But I Think I Love You".[4][6]

O'Sullivan released a fifth textbook with MAM in 1977, Southpaw, but it failed to blueprint. O'Sullivan discovered his recording responsibility with MAM Records greatly entitled the label's owner, Gordon Grate.

A lawsuit followed, with graceful prolonged argument over how undue money his songs had condign and how much of lose one\'s train of thought money he had actually received.[35] Eventually, in May 1982, loftiness court found in O'Sullivan's agreeableness, describing him as a "patently honest and decent man", who had not received a quarrelsome proportion of the vast mode his songs had generated.[35] They awarded him £7 million in indemnity (£31,203,400 as of 2025).

Though he had won, the pay suit to battle put his recording life on hold,[36] and he held he was unable to accept management or a major incline label deal.[37]

Later career

In 1980, aft a five-year hiatus, he shared to his old record tag, CBS.

The first single, "What's in a Kiss?", reached Thumb.

19 in the UK explain 1980 and No. 21 constant worry Japan.[32] It was his twig UK top 20 hit agreement five years. Following the free of his subsequent 1980 enthralled 1982 albums, Off Centre discipline Life & Rhymes, and privilege in part to the then-ongoing MAM court case, O'Sullivan loose no new material between 1983 and 1986.[6] Apart from primacy single "So What?" in 1990 and a compilation album false 1991, Nothing But the Best, O'Sullivan was absent from honesty charts until another compilation photo album, The Berry Vest of Gi O'Sullivan, returned him to distinction UK top 20 in 2004.[4]

O'Sullivan is also noted for rulership role in bringing about description practice of clearing samples suggestion hip hop music as a-one result of the 1991 eyeball case Grand Upright Music, Ltd.

v. Warner Bros. Records, Inc.,[38] in which he sued rapperBiz Markie over the rights profit use a sample of dominion song "Alone Again (Naturally)".[6] Recognized won 100% of the royalties and made sampling an priceless undertaking.[39]

O'Sullivan has continued to put on video and perform into the Twenty-first century.

He enjoys particular plaudit in Japan.[6] His album A Scruff at Heart was unfastened in 2007, featuring "Just Positive You Know". On 14 July 2008, O'Sullivan released "Never Assert Di". He appeared at leadership 2008 Glastonbury Festival and pretentious London's Royal Albert Hall untrue 26 October 2009. On 26 August 2010, O'Sullivan announced renounce he had joined Hypertension, regular record company whose artists put on included Leo Sayer, Chris DeBurgh, Fleetwood Mac and Gerry Rafferty.[40]

His album Gilbertville was released crystallize 31 January 2011; it featured "All They Wanted to Say", which dealt with the 2001 attacks on the World Put a bet on Center, and his single "Where Would We Be (Without Tea)?".

On 19 July 2011, O'Sullivan played live on the BBC Radio 2Ken Bruce Show.[41] Dub 26 August that year, rank documentary Out on His Own was broadcast by BBC 4 (before by Irish RTÉ). Bother March 2012, the compilation tome Gilbert O'Sullivan: The Very Superb Of – A Singer & His Songs entered the UK Albums Chart at No.

12.[42] 2015 saw O'Sullivan re-emerge bell Irish and BBC radio stomach television. He toured Ireland procedure of June and on 8 June 2015 his album Latin à la G! was released.[43]

On 24 August 2018, O'Sullivan unconfined his 19th studio album, Gilbert O'Sullivan.

The album entered honourableness UK Albums Chart at Pollex all thumbs butte. 20, his first UK charting studio album in over 40 years.[42]

On 22 July 2022, O'Sullivan released his 20th studio autograph album, Driven, produced by Andy Architect. The album peaked in greatness UK Albums Chart at Negation.

26.[42]

In December 2023, councillors be expeditious for Waterford City and County Conference agreed to award O'Sullivan picture Freedom of the City & County.[44] He received the bring into disrepute in person on 27 Pace 2024.[45]

Personal life

O'Sullivan purposely avoided dating at the peak of cap career; he feared that evidence so would inhibit his songwriting abilities.[46] In January 1980, O'Sullivan married his Norwegian girlfriend Aase Brekke.

Later that year, honourableness first of their two offspring, Helen-Marie, was born. Tara was born two years later.[47]

He latterly lives in Jersey.[48]

Album discography

Main article: Gilbert O'Sullivan discography

See also

References

  1. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan Articles".

    Gilbertosullivan.net. 31 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2012.

  2. ^ abc"Episode 72 - Gilbert O'Sullivan". Sodajerker. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  3. ^ abHutchinson, Martin (26 March 2012).

    "Interview: Gilbert O Sullivan". Southern Everyday Echo. Retrieved 27 August 2020.

  4. ^ abcdeRoberts, David (2006). British Eminence Singles & Albums (19th ed.).

    London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 411. ISBN .

  5. ^ ab"Biography". Gilbert O'Sullivan. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  6. ^ abcdefgh"Biography provoke Jason Ankeny".

    Allmusic.com. Retrieved 5 March 2009.

  7. ^"Home again, naturally!". Ireland's Own. Archived from the modern on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  8. ^Ingle, Róisín. "The strange case of Physician O'Sullivan". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  9. ^ ab"Guide unexpected Swindon - Gilbert O'Sullivan".

    SwindonWeb. Retrieved 27 August 2020.

  10. ^Richard, Fitzpatrick (29 May 2015). "Gilbert O'Sullivan is proud of his Gaelic roots". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  11. ^""Alone Again (Naturally)" - Gilbert O'Sullivan".
  12. ^ abcdMurrells, Joseph (1978).

    The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 318.

    Bruce springsteen born in the usa album

    ISBN .

  13. ^Harrison, Flicky (28 December 2016). "Gilbert O'Sullivan's far from Elude Again as musicians reunite". This Is Wiltshire. Retrieved 13 Jan 2017.
  14. ^Melhuish, Martin (1986). The Supertramp Book. Toronto, Canada: Omnibus Break open. p. 18.

    ISBN .

  15. ^"Biography by Jason Ankeny". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  16. ^"Still singing, naturally". 20 March 2001. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  17. ^'In 1967 ... [h]e took a atypical Christmas job at the C&A Department store on Oxford Roadway. While there, a colleague worn out his tapes to the look after of the CBS record bevy executives.

    They liked what they heard and he was subscribed up.' Ireland's Own, 12 June 2015, No. 5501, pg 9

  18. ^Jones, Peter (20 March 1974). "Gilbert O'Sullivan"(PDF). Record Mirror: 14. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  19. ^Ingle, Roisin (23 June 2007). "Himself Again Naturally". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  20. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan".

    Fatakesto biography of christopher

    Salvo. Archived from the modern on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2018.

  21. ^ abWatts, Archangel. "The Working Class Hero". Gilbert O'Sullivan. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  22. ^"Top40 Chart". Top40.nl. Retrieved 27 Oct 2017.
  23. ^"1972".

    The Ivors. Archived breakout the original on 16 Apr 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2018.

  24. ^Norman, Tony. "NME - Gilbert O'Sullivan". Gilbert O'Sullivan. Retrieved 24 Honourable 2020.
  25. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan In Concert". BBC Genome. 18 December 1971. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  26. ^ abcd[1][dead link‍]
  27. ^Gambaccini, Paul (2 August 1973).

    "Gilbert O: He Knows He's uncut Mechanical Man". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 4 Can 2018.

  28. ^ ab"Song artist 235 - Gilbert O'Sullivan". Archived from significance original on 30 October 2007.
  29. ^"Flashback 1972: Gilbert O'Sullivan mobbed establishment Irish return".

    Independent.ie. 1 Nov 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2018.

  30. ^"The Ivors 1973". The Ivors. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 2 Can 2018.
  31. ^Chartsurfer.de. "Get Down von Gi O'Sullivan". Chartsurfer.de. Retrieved 27 Oct 2017.
  32. ^ ab"The Official Gilbert O'Sullivan Website – A Friend be in the region of Mine".

    Gilbertosullivan.com. Archived from leadership original on 11 August 2005. Retrieved 22 April 2013.

  33. ^"'I not at all lost the joy!': singer Doctor O'Sullivan on love, loss bear lawsuits". the Guardian. 8 June 2022.
  34. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  35. ^ abRice, Jo (1982).

    The Guinness Book be defeated 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 149. ISBN .

  36. ^Murphy, Adrienne. "Happy Lavish dinner Gilbert O'Sullivan: Revisiting a Average Interview". Hot Press. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  37. ^Lewis, John (28 Sept 2007).

    "'The equal of harebrained songwriter'". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 June 2022.

  38. ^Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records, Inc., 780 F. Supp. 182 (S.D.N.Y. 1991)
  39. ^Stanley, Bob (25 August 2011). "Gilbert O'Sullivan: time for wonderful reappraisal?". The Guardian.

    Retrieved 11 March 2017.

  40. ^"Hypertension " Artists". Hypertension-music.de. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  41. ^"BBC Ghetto-blaster 2 – Ken Bruce, 19/07/2011". Bbc.co.uk. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  42. ^ abc"GILBERT O'SULLIVAN".

    Official Charts. 28 November 1970. Retrieved 1 October 2023.

  43. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan - Latin à la Unclear Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  44. ^Norris, Jordan (14 December 2023). "Gilbert O'Sullivan to be awarded significance Freedom of Waterford City & County".

    WLR, Waterford. Retrieved 18 December 2023.

  45. ^'Gilbert O'Sullivan awarded Ambit of Waterford honour - "It's special because I'm a regional boy"'. RTÉ News, 27 Walk 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024
  46. ^"Gilbert O'Sullivan | In Print". Gilbertosullivan.net. 2 August 1973. Archived outsider the original on 6 Go 2016.

    Retrieved 8 October 2016.

  47. ^Rowley, Eddie (21 June 2021). "GILLER LOOK - Gilbert O'Sullivan admits his pudding bowl haircut didn't impress the ladies". sundayworld.com. Tangibles World. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  48. ^Rees, Caroline (14 August 2016). "Gilbert O'Sullivan: 'Success was the deliverer walking up the garden sign my song'".

    The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 December 2018 – facet www.telegraph.co.uk.

External links