'NOTHING RHYMED', 'Alone Again (Naturally )', 'Matrimony', 'Clair', 'Get Down' - the signature songs of Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan are also timeless classics which boast of a outstanding sense of melody.
These songs, and may others from across a long career, will be performed by Gilbert O'Sullivan when he plays Leisureland on Saturday November 25 at 7.30pm for a 'Róisín Dubh presents...' concert.
Gilbert was born Raymond Edward O’Sullivan in 1946 in County Waterford, but grew up in Swindon, initially becoming a graphic designer. However, inspired by The Beatles and Bob Dylan he chose to focus on music. He released two singles on CBS Records and one with the Major Minor label, but the singles were unsuccessful. Undeterred, he sent a demo tape to Gordon Mills, the man behind Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, who, impressed with his song writing, became his manager. The result was his first single on the MAM label, 'Nothing Rhymed' went Top 10 in 1970.
More hit singles and a debut album, Himself, followed, but 1972’s 'Alone Again (Naturally )' that sealed his fame, topping the USA charts for six weeks and garnering three Grammy nominations. Soon after, he got his first three British No 1 hits with 'Clair', 'Get Down', and the Back To Front album. Gilbert was named “Songwriter of the Year” at the 18th Ivor Novello Awards. In 1974 won a third Ivor Novello award.
Litigation with former manager and record company prevented him from releasing any new product for a number of years. However, even during this period he never stopped writing. That to him is the key to everything he does as an artiste. As Gilbert said, "Without the songs, there is no artist."
The Noughties have seen the Munster man enjoy a career revival with The Berry Vest of Gilbert O’Sullivan returning him to the UK Top 20 in 2004 and Gilbert O’Sullivan: The Very Best Of – A Singer & His Songs reaching No 12 in 2012. He also played Glastonbury and London’s Royal Albert Hall in recent years.
Tickets are available at www.roisindubh.net, the Ticket Desk at OMG Zhivago, Shop Street, and The Róisín Dubh. Unreserved seating.
