The best singer in the UK in different years was recognized by different performers. In 1972 this title was awarded to Gilbert O'Sullivan. He can rightfully be called an artist of the era. He is a singer-songwriter and pianist who skillfully embodies the image of a romantic at the beginning of the century.
Gilbert O'Sullivan was in demand during the heyday of the hippies. This is not the only image subject to him, the artist adapts incredibly quickly to changing circumstances. The artist aspired to give the public exactly what she expects from him.
Childhood Gilbert O'Sullivan
On December 1, 1946, in the Irish city of Waterford, a boy was born in the ordinary O'Sullivan family, who was named Raymond Edward. His father worked as a butcher, did not belong to the nobility, and was also alien to secular education.
At the same time, his son showed musical talent from childhood. He fell in love with the piano from an early age, while still at school, he began to write songs. When the boy was already a teenager, his father died, and the family moved to live in Swindon, England. Here O'Sullivan attended St. Joseph, after which he entered Swindon College of Art.
Passion for Music Gilbert O'Sullivan
From a young age, music became the main interest of the boy. He played the piano virtuoso. While studying at an art college, Raymond mastered the drums. The young man played in several semi-professional teams. When trying to plunge into history, there is a mention of the groups The Doodles, The Prefects, Rick's Blues. The boy could not stand out, draw attention to his work.
Favorable acquaintance
After graduating from college, Raymond O'Sullivan, not finding a job in his specialty and vocation, went to work in a department store in London. He traded in musical products, but still it was not what the young man aspired to. Raymond soon met a man who helped him get in touch with CBS.
The guy showed his creativity, they signed a contract with him. It turned out to release the first singles that were not popular with the public. Despite this, thanks to the debut songs, Gordon Mills drew the attention of the young man. At the invitation of the famous impresario Raymond O'Sullivan, he moved to the MAM Records label.
Gilbert O'Sullivan appearance
Gordon Mills put a lot of effort into the emergence of a new star. I had to try, but he did not lose. Raymond O'Sullivan, at the urging of the producer, moved into a small house next door to his new patron. Mills insisted on a complete change of the singer's image.
A strict simple shirt and short trousers, rough shoes and a tousled hairstyle created the image of a certain comedian of the beginning of the century. To match the appearance, the manner of presenting musical works was changed. The artist sang, but the sound came from somewhere deep, like from an old record. Melancholy, nostalgia were felt in the manner of pronunciation.
The name Raymond was decided to be changed to Gilbert. All this was approved by the public. The artist was perceived as an eccentric from the past, which is always remembered with warmth.
Gilbert O'Sullivan's early successes
In 1970, Gilbert O'Sullivan recorded the first single "Nothing Rhymed". The song entered the UK charts, climbing to number 8. In 1971, the artist released his debut album Himself.
The audience was interested in old new music. The lyrics of yesteryear attracted most of the middle class over 30 years old. It was not possible to cover the interests of the youth obsessed with the hippie culture, but a good half of the society was enough to ensure the success of the event.
In 1972, Gilbert O'Sullivan sang "Clair", which became a #XNUMX hit in the UK. In parallel, "Alone Again" gained popularity across the ocean.
Another change of image Gilbert O'Sullivan
Starting to achieve popularity, Gilbert O'Sullivan dramatically changed his image. Now neatness, fashionableness of the image has come into play. He carefully cut his hair, dressed modern, but simply. The new image inspired the confidence of the masses. The singer seemed like a guy from a neighboring yard. Not only the appearance has changed, but also the musical component. Excessive melancholy disappeared, there was a shift towards rock, the lyrics became more renounced.
Growing popularity
The first album was quickly followed by the second and third. Each new disc was not inferior in popularity to the previous one. In 1973, Gilbert O'Sullivan was named the all-time hit artist. In 1974 he was presented with an award for the best song of the year. She became "Get Down".
Gilbert O'Sullivan was popular not only in the UK, USA and other English-speaking countries. He was listened to with pleasure in Germany and many other parts of Europe and the world. The first half of the 70s became the peak of popularity for the artist. The fourth album, A Stranger In My Own Back Yard, released in 1975, already showed a decline in interest in the singer and his work.
Litigation between recent friends and partners
In 1977, there was a rift between O'Sullivan and Mills. The singer sued his manager. He accused him of excessive commercialism. The lawsuit dragged on for a long time, undermining the current activities of the singer. It wasn't until 1982 that the court granted O'Sullivan's claims. He received compensation, but the £7m awarded did not solve the problem. It was aggravated due to the complete stop of the singer's activities.
Resumption of work
In 1980, the singer released the first single since a disagreement with his manager. The song hit the British charts, but did not climb above the 19th line. In the Irish hit parade, things were better: the song took 4th position.
In the same year, the artist recorded a new album "Off Centre". The album did not chart in any of the countries. This greatly overshadowed the singer. The following year, O'Sullivan released a hits collection, but it only reached number 98 in the UK charts. The following year, another attempt and another failure. The singer presented the next album only in 1987, and then in 1989. The results were similar.
The situation shifted slightly in 1991, when the record "Nothing But The Best" took the 50th position. This was followed by 7 records, very mediocre rated by the public. Only in 2004 did it manage to take 20th place in the UK ranking.
The artist does not stop creative activity, continues to write and perform songs, give concerts. He rarely releases new albums, more often these are collections of hits or various reissues and compilations. The greatest attention to the artist is given by fans from Japan, but there are also admirers of his talent in other countries.
