logo
Leo Sayer: 'I got to sing a duet with Miss Piggy, a wonderful thing'

Leo Sayer: 'I got to sing a duet with Miss Piggy, a wonderful thing'

Irish Examiner08-07-2025
Leo Sayer has bittersweet memories of the night he opened for the Beach Boys and their tortured genius songwriter Brian Wilson, who passed away recently. 'We did a massive concert with The Beach Boys in 1977 when my star was really rising America, with two number ones. I got booked to do a gig with the Beach Boys. It was fantastic to be asked.
But when we got to the gig, it was a bit weird, because Hell's Angels guys were doing the security. They wouldn't give us a dressing room trailer. It was about 40–50,000 people there at a race track in Rhode Island.'
Without a trailer of his own, Sayer was mooching about backstage when Wilson noticed him. 'Brian saw me sitting by somebody else's trailer or by the steps somewhere backstage, and beckoned me into his cabin. I remember him and his lovely wife, Marilyn – not with us either anymore – making me tea, and Brian chatting away, and me asking him all these silly questions: how did you write this? He answered every single question. The guy was such a gentleman.'
Wilson was familiar with Sayer's music – hits such as When I Need You, More Than I Can Say and the global number one, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing. 'I'm not in that same stratosphere as those guys but he was kind and gracious. We had a good talk about songwriting. You pinch yourself to think I'm that close to talking to someone like that, who's your hero,' says Sayer.
Leo Sayer IN 1975. (Photo by)
Sayer (77) is speaking from Australia, his home for the past 20 years. He is talking ahead of a return to Ireland for a national tour – and a chance to reconnect with a country close to his heart.
Growing up in the English coastal town of Shoreham-by-Sea, he was always keenly aware of his family's Irish heritage, passed down through his mother, from Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh.
'My mother was Irish from Maguiresbridge in Ulster, near Enniskillen. We used to come over every summer as school kids - me and my brother. It was a pretty standard thing –every school holiday from the age of three until about 15 or so.
"It was so much fun. Ceilis and donkey derbies and meeting up with relatives all over the north and on the border towns as well as Cavan and Donegal.'
His creative side largely comes from his Irish roots, he feels. 'A guy, I think his name is Michael Daley, he's been writing a book about the Irish living in Britain and how they all felt growing up. And I was able to describe to him how a lot of my creative spirit came from that Gaelic experience.
"It left a feeling of freedom, of honesty. My English side of the family – they were all very reserved, and I loved the lack of reserve that the Irish had – the country Irish, you know?
"It probably wouldn't be the same in the city, but the country Irish… they just said how they felt. They didn't hold back. If they were asked to sing a song, they'd sing a full pelt, I love that, and that had a big effect on me. I thought, hang on, you can express these things. You don't have to be shy and quiet and retiring. Why not? You could be outgoing.'
Sayer clocked up his biggest hits in the 1970s, when the music industry was a bit of a Wild West and artists such as David Bowie and Elvis were duped by unscrupulous managers who convinced them that the business side of music was best left to others.
Things were much the same for Sayer. He has spoken openly about how his manager, the late pop star and actor Adam Faith, hoodwinked him – how those glory days topping the charts papered over a darker truth about his finances.
However, he also nonetheless speaks positively of Faith, who passed away in 2003. He may have taken advantage of Sayer - but he also helped turn him into a chart-topper. All these years later, the singer's feelings are complicated, to say the least.
'He ripped me off. That was his form of management. At the same time, he took me where I was and he opened so many doors. His influence was quite incredible, and he truly believed in me; otherwise, he wouldn't have been both my producer and manager. We made some incredible records in those early days together. So I can't think bitterly of him. I didn't get rich. That's one side of it.'
Unlike many British stars who were content to be big in the UK, he was always keen on doing well in America. This led to some surreal situations – sitting backstage in Rhode Island without a dressing room only to be introduced to Brian Wilson was one. Another was his appearance on the Muppet Show in 1978 when he sang with Kermit the Frog and struck up a firm friendship with Muppets creator Jim Henson and with Frank Oz, the puppeteer and voice of Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy.
'Jim was a good friend, and sadly no longer with us. And Frank turned out to be a marvelous film director. This team of those two were wonderful to work with, very inspiring. And I did other shows with them, a Julie Andrews special. And I did the Johnny Carson Show, The Tonight Show. It was hosted by Kermit the Frog, and I got to sing a duet with Miss Piggy, which was a wonderful thing.'
At the peak of his success, it seemed that Sayer could top the charts at will. He looks back on those days as a blur – it was all happening at such speed it was difficult to take it all in.
'Initially, anyway, all the way up to 1979, everything's at breakneck pace, and you're trying to keep up, so you don't really sort of stop and sit and look at everything. In fact, you don't dare do that. Because we all thought in those days that anyone over 40 would no longer be able to do this. Look at Jagger and Paul McCartney and Billy Joel and me and Rod Stewart. We're all still doing it, which is incredible.'
Leo Sayer: A Question of Taste
Television: I've been enjoying a show called MobLand. There's an Irish side to it because it stars Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren as his Irish wife. It's been absolutely delicious to watch. It's by Guy Richie, and I love his productions – he's such a great writer and director.
A scene from A Complete Unknown.
Cinema: I loved A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan. It was so brilliantly done. God knows how it didn't get an Oscar. I thought the same thing with the Elvis movie - the Baz Luhrman film. It was just incredible.
Books: There's a series of books by a guy called Henry Porter. The most recent one is the Enigma Girl. It's fantastic. His plots are incredible and believable. Unlike a John le Carré, he's bringing it right up to date. You're reading something that has so many overtones of the crisis and chaos of modern life and modern geopolitics.
Leo Sayer plays National Opera House, Wexford, Friday July 11; BGE Theatre, Dublin, July 12; and Cork Opera House, July 13
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara gets POOED ON live on Sky Sports after Lions' epic comeback win over Australia
Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara gets POOED ON live on Sky Sports after Lions' epic comeback win over Australia

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara gets POOED ON live on Sky Sports after Lions' epic comeback win over Australia

RONAN O'GARA was given an unwelcome gift by a bird while LIVE on air. Irish rugby legend O'Gara was working as a pundit for Sky Sports during the Advertisement 5 Ronan O'Gara was pooed on by a viewer flying by 5 Will Greenwood pointed out the new coat decoration on his arm 5 The poo landed on his left arm 5 Fans and the rest of the panel had a laugh at the 48-year-old's expense 5 O'Gara had a stunned reaction as he tried to find the white spot However, a winged viewer flying by decided that the 48-year-old's coat needed some extra decoration. And while he stood alongside colleagues discussing Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try, Will Greenwood spotted that O'Gara had been POOED on. He said: "Oh a bird has just pooed on Ronan." The group then shared a laugh at O'Gara's expense as he frantically tried to find where Greenwood had pointed it out. Advertisement READ MORE IN RUGBY A voice can then be heard saying: "That's lucky for some but not for Ronan." Fans behind the panel also poked fun at O'Gara for the unfortunate incident. Greenwood then adds: "La Rochelle are going to win the European Cup." O'Gara eventually laughs off the incident, though we expect his coat to receive some TLC to remove the poo. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Breaking BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And while the unusual present might not be seen as too lucky by O'Gara, the Lions certainly did find some luck in their match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They moved 2-0 over Australia in the series, but only after coming back from 26-17 down in the 53rd minute. Australia 26 British and Irish Lions 29- Historic Test series whitewash on the cards as Lions complete epic comeback Keenan's late winner has now set the scene for a potential clean sweep when the sides clash again at the weekend. Advertisement

The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos
The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos

The Irish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos

IT'S midnight and Boozers Fest Bar is packed to the rafters with a host of 18 to twentysomethings, all jostling to play a wild new drinking game. This Dutch-run party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth. 18 One party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Teens point to a drinks sign showing unbelievably cheap booze outside a bar in Lloret de Mar Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 With its 100-plus bars and clubs, Lloret de Mar was once branded the 'party capital of Spain' Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Four youngsters on a night out in Lloret de Mar Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return Credit: Darren Fletcher As they drink, the crowd whoops and hollers and the room, no doubt, starts to spin. Kim, 21, falls foul of the snap, and tells me: 'It's like being a kid again, but with an extra hit. 'We love it here — fun and alcohol, what more could you want?' So far, so typical of a Spanish holiday for British youngsters, many on their first sunshine break without mum and dad cramping their style. But while this bar is bursting, the same cannot be said for other venues in the Spanish resort town of With 100-plus bars and clubs, it was once branded the country's 'party capital' but now many of the venues sit partially empty or closed — an unwelcome result of the nationwide As a result, the pub owners and party organisers here are pleading with high-spending Brits to return. Currently, the town is besieged by Dutch and German tours of under age teens, who barely spend any money and demand that prices stay low or they won't come. Drinks prices on this section of the Locals are now yearning for its early-Noughties heyday when it was a Club 18-30 destination for Brits. Anti-tourist protesters blast holidaymakers with water guns & block hotels Local shop owner Mohan, 45, told The Sun: 'Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. "We love English tourists here because they spend the most. 'Yes, some get a bit drunk and loud, but that's not the end of the world. 'The protests in 'We want tourists to know they are welcome. I've lived in Lloret since 1999 and everyone here wants more Brits — Without tourists there would be nothing here in Lloret de Mar. We love English tourists here because they spend the most Mohan, Local shop owner Last year 18.4million of us headed to Spain, ­contributing £20billion to the country's economy, according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. But over-tourism has been blamed for inflating Lloret is not immune to the housing concerns of places such as Ibiza and Tenerife, but instead of Officials have responded by cracking down on unlicensed accommodation, which last week saw cops raid 23 illegal tourist flats and slap the owners with fines of up to £20,000. Restaurant Pinocchio owner Claudio La Face, 37, explained: 'Unlicensed holiday flats are a problem because people are concerned about renting to locals as if there is a problem, such as not paying rent, there is little they can do. "On top of that, many prefer to rent to tourists because they can make a lot of money, despite the risk of big fines.' 'Better than Benidorm' 18 Young tourists in I Heart Lloret de Mar shirts head for a night out in the party town Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Protesters hold up signs in Barcelona in June claiming tourism is killing the city Credit: Getty 18 British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret Credit: Darren Fletcher Italian Claudio, who has lived in Lloret for 12 years, said he struggles to understand the anti- tourist protests happening in other parts of Spain. 'It has affected our numbers here, especially this year,' he said. 'But we need tourists in Lloret, we love them. Most of Spain needs tourists too, so protesting against them doesn't help anyone. "Tourists should come to Lloret for the good weather, the beautiful beaches, and amazing food options. Plus there are lots of cultural ­places around here to visit, such as One of the biggest draws to the town is its party district, home to one of the world's best clubs, Tropics. The main strip, Avenue Just Marles Vilarrodona, is full of venues that can hold thousands of revellers, and the winding side streets boast a seemingly unending array of cocktail bars offering outrageous drinking games. Don't Let The Duck Out sees players put on a swim cap and snorkelling goggles to try to grab a bottle of alcohol from a large water bowl. Essentially it's boozy apple bobbing. British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret. Lucy said: 'My sister recommended it, and it's crazy here. We have no regrets booking it. It's fun.' Other Brits out on the lash include Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, who booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website. For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool Ollie Bott They've flown out with six mates, who they have managed to lose by the time they bump into The Sun. Ollie said: 'For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool.' Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, are here for their honeymoon. 'It wasn't quite what we expected for our honeymoon, but we love how lively it is,' courier Phillip said. 'I'd certainly come back here with the lads, or let my sons have their first drinking holiday here as it feels really safe. There's nice food and the booze is cheap. 'Plus everyone here has been really friendly compared to other holidays we've been on.' Couple Paul Willmot and Janette Machin, both 57, from Bridlington, Yorks, reckon it could even start to rival Brit favourite Benidorm. Janette said: 'It's been really great so far. It has potential and reminds me of Beni and Sunny Beach before they got super-popular. We didn't let the 18 Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, admitted the resort wasn't quite what they were expecting Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Crowds of youngsters head to the party strip while a bus promotes the popular Tropics nightclub Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 One of the resort's beaches is near empty with locals fear is due to Spanish protests deterring tourists Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Local businessman Igor Peyman is keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret Credit: Darren Fletcher Standing in doorways and draped over pavements are revellers debating which bar to move to next. Some are being shepherded by tour operators. 'A little rowdy' Back on the main street are Disco Londoner and Touch Down Sports bar, both owned by Marcus Faraji. He told The Sun: 'Ninety per cent of the industry here is based around tourism, even if it's not directly. 'More needs to be done to educate locals that their livelihoods and comforts come from tourists being welcome here. This is getting lost because many people are so worried about the housing issues. 'The drinking tourism we get upsets some, and they complain that people don't come here to visit cultural places, but the truth is we don't have the infrastructure for that. "Many of the tourists that come here are in groups organised by tour operators, who take up bulk bookings at hotels. English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all Igor Peyman 'It means we have to keep drinks cheap, because if we raise our ­prices they threaten to not come. 'But some of the people they bring are as young as 16, so we won't serve them anyway, and they don't have a lot of money to spend, which harms the economy. 'English people don't travel in the same way. We would like more of them because they spend a huge amount on both ­restaurants and on alcohol.' Bars caught serving booze to someone under age risk a fine of £2,600 for each case — and the drinker can be handed a £850 fine. Local businessman Igor Peyman, 54, is also keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret. He said: 'English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. 'They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all. There is so much for people to enjoy here so we hope they aren't put off by the protests in other parts of Spain.' 'Spanish Blackpool' But not everyone is a fan of ­Lloret. Holidaymaker Amanda, from Stratford-upon-Avon, She added: 'You do have to look for the nicer places to go as the centre is very young and aimed at a younger crowd.' Her pal Michele agreed, but added: 'Everyone has been really friendly, and you don't get hassled to go to restaurants or shops. Parts of the town are quite dated and need investment.' We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where ­people can use the toilets Tattoo shop worker Jose Tattoo shop worker Jose, 30, is keen for Lloret to only ­welcome tourists who will be respectful. He said: 'We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where ­people can use the toilets. 'Tourists who want to have fun but appreciate we live here are always welcome, even if they're a little rowdy. 'Lloret is a poor town, and most of us have to earn our living for the year in the space of six weeks. "We love tourists and we always want them to come here.' 18 One less impressed visitor dubbed the town Spain's Blackpool Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Budget boozers sell cocktails and shots for 1 euro Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Josh, 30, and Saffron, 27, from Hull enjoyed the cheap drinks at the bars Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Sun reporter Thea Jacobs takes part in one of the outrageous drinking games Credit: Darren Fletcher 18 Thea samples the local cocktails Credit: Darren Fletcher What is overtourism? Overtourism is where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity. The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues. As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals. Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources. In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism. These include: Safeguarding historical and heritage sites Promoting off-peak travel Tourism caps and regulations Promoting lesser-known destinations

Dawn O'Porter reveals she's ‘always broke' despite Hollywood life with Chris O'Dowd
Dawn O'Porter reveals she's ‘always broke' despite Hollywood life with Chris O'Dowd

Extra.ie​

time5 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

Dawn O'Porter reveals she's ‘always broke' despite Hollywood life with Chris O'Dowd

British writer and television presenter Dawn O'Porter has revealed that despite being married to Hollywood actor Chris O'Dowd, she is 'always broke' and lives 'pay cheque to pay cheque' The author and TV presenter, 46, who wed the Irish star back in 2012, made the stark admission in a recent interview, revealing she works hard to cover bills and rent. 'I work pay cheque to pay cheque,' said Dawn. 'I'm always broke. My card got declined last week. I'm like, what the f*** is happening? When will this end?' British writer and television presenter Dawn O'Porter has revealed that despite being married to Hollywood actor Chris O'Dowd, she is 'always broke' and lives 'pay cheque to pay cheque' Pic: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, she explained: 'I've never seen myself as a celebrity. Even though I'm married to Chris, who is quite a well-known actor, I don't think either of us have ever seen ourselves as celebrities. 'I guess if I was a celebrity, I'd get paid lots of money to do things that aren't necessarily my job or don't really feed what I do, but I don't. My job is writing, with the occasional little ad on Instagram to pay the rent.' Last Summer, Dawn returned to London with Chris and their two children; Art and Valentine, after eight years in Los Angeles. The author and TV presenter, 46, who wed the Irish star back in 2012, made the stark admission in a recent interview, revealing she works hard to cover bills and rent. Pic:for THR The star recalled meeting Chris just as her own career was collapsing, adding: 'Everything had fallen apart.' 'My TV career had just gone. I was so poor. I was so upset. I had zero confidence. I didn't know what I was going to do. I'd just met Chris, and he was on this trajectory up. I thought, well maybe this is just it. I'm just a girlfriend, and that's it.' Dawn's first ever red carpet was the 2011 premiere of Bridesmaids, the film that inevitably catapulted Chris to international fame. 'I work pay cheque to pay cheque,' said Dawn. 'I'm always broke. My card got declined last week. I'm like, what the f*** is happening? When will this end?' Pic:for BFI 'I always thought that if I was in this position, it would be because I'd done something to deserve it,' she reflected. 'We were living in LA and I just said to Chris, I've got to go back to London to try and claw back my career,' she said of their first time in the states. 'And we came back to London for a bit and I'd go for these meetings at TV production companies and I'd been successful. 'I had my own series on Channel 4… and they'd be like, 'What do you want to do?' and I was like, 'I want to do what I do'. But no one wanted to employ me.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store