Leo Sayer, the 77-year-old pop star known for 1970s hits such as 'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing' and 'When I Need You', has shared stories from his extraordinary career, including a spooky phone call from Elvis Presley shortly before the King's death. Speaking from his home in Australia, Sayer recalled the final conversation he had with Presley, who had called to congratulate him on his success. 'He was very gracious,' Sayer said. 'It was a surreal moment.'
Sayer, whose real name is Gerard Sayer, rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of chart-topping singles. He described his first appearance on 'Top of the Pops' as a pierrot-clad performer, a performance that was later wiped from the archives due to the involvement of disgraced presenter Jimmy Savile. 'He was creepy. He wouldn't get off the fucking stage, so they can never show my first performance. I'm sure he fancied me,' Sayer claimed.
The singer also recounted being swindled by his manager, Adam Faith, who had him sign over power of attorney early in his career. 'When he picked me up, he said: 'Right, we've got to make this legal, so sign this otherwise we're not going to get started.' It was very gangster,' Sayer said. He later discovered that Faith had taken his earnings, leaving him unable to buy a house despite his success.
Sayer, who now lives in Australia, reflected on his life as both Leo and Gerard. 'I spend so long being the custodian of Leo Sayer, I think I need an escape valve. My passport, driving licence, I'm Gerard. And I like that,' he said. Despite the financial setbacks, Sayer remains proud of his musical legacy, which includes two US number one singles and numerous other hits.
