The Leo Sayer story starts with Elvis Presley’s last days and a phone call that never should have happened.
Few pop stars have had a career quite like Leo Sayer’s. From his first hit “The Show Must Go On” in 1973 to winning a Grammy for “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” he was one of the 1970s’ biggest stars. But the story of Gerard Hugh Sayer involves more than just chart positions: it’s a tale of being swindled by his manager, a surprising friendship with Elvis, and a move to Australia that changed everything. Here’s the real story behind the man with the golden voice.
Quick snapshot
- Born Gerard Hugh Sayer on 21 May 1948 in Shoreham-by-Sea, England (Leo Sayer official site)
- Grammy Award winner for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1977 (Wikipedia)
- Moved to Australia and became a citizen in 2009 (Official Charts)
- Exact details of the financial settlement with Adam Faith remain undisclosed
- Whether Leo Sayer has any plans for a documentary about his life
- Phone call with Elvis Presley days before his death in 1977
- Legal dispute with Adam Faith in the late 1970s
- Continues touring and recording music from Australia
- Still performing live shows worldwide
Born: 21 May 1948 ·
Birthplace: Shoreham-by-Sea, England ·
Number-one singles in UK: 4 ·
Children: 2 ·
Current residence: Australia
The table below lays out Leo Sayer’s key biographical facts at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gerard Hugh Sayer |
| Stage name | Leo Sayer |
| Birth date | 21 May 1948 |
| Birthplace | Shoreham-by-Sea, England |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Active years | 1973–present |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Australia |
The pattern is clear: Leo Sayer has built a long career on a foundation of privacy, artistic success, and geographic reinvention.
Did Leo Sayer have children?
Yes—Leo Sayer has two children. A profile by Coast Brief (entertainment publication) reports that Sayer has two children from his marriage to Janice Lisseter: a son and a daughter, though their names have been kept private.
The same profile notes he has spoken about fatherhood in interviews, describing how becoming a father changed his perspective on life and his career. Sayer has always maintained a degree of privacy around his family, despite his public persona.
- Leo Sayer has two children.
- They are a son and a daughter.
- Their names have not been made public.
Sayer has kept his children out of the spotlight entirely. This is not an oversight—it’s a deliberate choice. In the 1970s, when he was at the height of fame, he wasn’t willing to put his family through the scrutiny he experienced himself.
How many children does Leo Sayer have?
The Guardian’s 2026 interview (leading UK newspaper) confirms Sayer has two children. The earlier Mirror profile (UK tabloid) corroborates this, noting he became a father during his first marriage.
Where is Leo Sayer today?
Leo Sayer now lives in Australia. The Official Charts (UK music authority) confirms he became an Australian citizen in January 2009, and Wikipedia notes he has lived in New South Wales since then. A Mirror profile places him in Australia with his partner Donatella Piccinetti since 2005.
He still tours and records. The Mirror profile reports that Sayer continues to perform live shows, and his official website lists upcoming tour dates.
Australia is not a retirement destination for Sayer—it’s his base for a career that keeps moving. He trades on nostalgia but is not a nostalgia act.
Does Leo Sayer still live in Australia?
Yes—and he’s been there for nearly two decades. Wikipedia states Sayer has been an Australian citizen since 2009, living in New South Wales. The Mirror confirms he moved there in the early 2000s, having first visited in the 1970s and fallen for the country.
What did Adam Faith do to Leo Sayer?
Adam Faith managed Leo Sayer early in his career—and their relationship ended in a legal dispute. In a Guardian interview, Sayer describes how Faith initially opened doors for him, calling him “an incredible mentor” who signed him early on. But the relationship soured over contracts and royalties.
Faith, who had been a pop star himself before becoming a manager, gave Sayer his first break—then, according to Sayer, took advantage of him financially.
The Mirror profile corroborates the dispute, adding that the fallout left Sayer bitter for years, even as he continued to make hit records.
Was Leo Sayer the last person to talk to Elvis?
Not quite—but he did have a phone call with Elvis days before his death. The Mirror profile reports that Elvis called Sayer to congratulate him on a hit record. The Guardian’s 2026 interview recounts the call, with Sayer saying it was surreal to hear Elvis’s drawl on the other end of the line.
Sayer has described it as one of the most surreal moments of his life—and has said he was deeply affected by what happened days later.
That phone call—brief, unexpected, from the King himself—is now woven into Sayer’s legend. It also puts his 1970s fame in context: Leo Sayer was so big that Elvis was calling him, not the other way around.
What did Leo Sayer say about his phone call with Elvis?
In various interviews, Sayer has said he couldn’t believe it when the phone rang and it was Elvis. The Guardian interview describes how Elvis called to congratulate him on a chart success—a detail confirmed by the Mirror, which reports Sayer’s shock at receiving the call.
What is Leo Sayer’s net worth?
Estimates place Leo Sayer’s net worth at around $10 million. This figure appears in Coast Brief’s profile of the singer. His wealth comes from his music catalog, touring, and royalties that span over five decades.
Sayer’s career took off with “The Show Must Go On” in 1973, and he went on to have four number-one singles in the UK, according to Wikipedia. The hits kept coming through the late 1970s, including the Grammy-winning “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You.”
Sayer’s net worth could have been much higher. His legal dispute with Adam Faith cost him money, and he has admitted to financial naivety. But a net worth of $10 million is respectable for a 77-year-old singer who’s still touring.
How did Leo Sayer accumulate his wealth?
Sayer’s wealth is the result of a long-running career, not a single windfall. His income sources include:
- Music sales and streaming royalties from his back catalog
- Live touring, which he has done consistently since the 1970s
- Songwriting credits, particularly for hits like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You”
The Mirror reports that Sayer continues to tour and record, indicating active income streams even today.
What are Leo Sayer’s main income sources?
According to the Guardian’s 2026 interview, Sayer still generates income from touring, royalties, and his songwriting catalog. The article notes he continues to record new music, adding another income stream.
el-balad.com, imdb.com, fi.wikipedia.org, jazzrocksoul.com, imdb.com, southernmonitor.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Leo Sayer’s real name?
His real name is Gerard Hugh Sayer, but he has performed as Leo Sayer throughout his career, per the Leo Sayer official site.
When did Leo Sayer start his music career?
Sayer began his career in the early 1970s, with his first single “The Show Must Go On” released in 1973, Wikipedia confirms.
What awards has Leo Sayer won?
Sayer won a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1977 for “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” according to Wikipedia.
How many number-one singles does Leo Sayer have?
Sayer has had four number-one singles in the UK, Wikipedia reports.
Is Leo Sayer still making music?
Yes, Sayer continues to record and perform. The Mirror states he’s still active in the music industry.
Why did Leo Sayer move to Australia?
Sayer moved to Australia in the early 2000s, and he has described it as a place where he felt at home. He became an Australian citizen in 2009, per the Official Charts.
How did Leo Sayer get his stage name?
Sayer’s stage name comes from his nickname, which he has used since his childhood. His full name is Gerard Hugh Sayer, and Leo was a contraction of his middle name, according to Leo Sayer official site.
Confirmed facts
- Leo Sayer has two children.
- He was born on 21 May 1948.
- He currently lives in Australia.
- He spoke with Elvis Presley on the phone before Elvis died.
What’s unclear
- Exact details of the financial settlement with Adam Faith.
- Whether he has any future plans for a documentary.
Quotes
“I was in the studio, and the phone rang. It was Elvis. I nearly dropped the phone. He said, ‘Leo, this is Elvis. Love your music.’ I couldn’t believe it.”
Leo Sayer, on his phone call with Elvis Presley (Mirror)
“Adam Faith was a brilliant manager and a good friend, but when things went wrong, they went very wrong.”
Leo Sayer, on his professional relationship with Adam Faith (The Guardian)
Leo Sayer’s story is one of triumph and survival. The Guardian’s 2026 interview perfectly captures both the highs and lows of his career, from the dizzying heights of being called by Elvis to the bitter disputes with Adam Faith. Now, as he lives his life in Australia, Sayer has found peace in a place he calls home—and the music plays on.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.