Leo Sayer delighted to be heading back to Worthing

Shoreham-born singer-songwriter Leo Sayer returns to his home county of West Sussex with Restless Years, his first new studio album in six years.
Leo Sayer SUS-150826-155958003Leo Sayer SUS-150826-155958003
Leo Sayer SUS-150826-155958003

Leo, who’s been living in Australia for the past ten years, heads back to the old country for a tour which takes in Worthing’s Assembly Hall on Friday, September 11 at 7.30pm.

“It’s basically a collection of songs some of which are brand new and some of which are pretty new,” says Leo. “Some are bang up to date, and some songs go back a little bit. Some of them I wrote with Albert Hammond.

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“He and I got together about eight years ago to do an album for him where we did a lot of songs together that he put out on his solo album, and now it is my turn!

“But actually one of the songs on the album goes way back to 1975. It was put on the back burner and I didn’t think any more about it, and then some time later I discovered this song called Sometimes Things Go Wrong. I took it to the band, and the band really liked it.”

For the tour, Leo will be teaming up with his English band on his trip back from Oz, a country he has found hugely welcoming.

“I was getting so many offers of work over there. I was coming out to Australia quite a lot and I was always visiting like mad. 11 years ago, I applied to be a resident, and they asked how many times I had been to Australia. I said ’47!’ They said ‘You should move in!’ I said ‘That’s what I am trying to do!’

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“It’s a great big country so there is a lot of space. It’s like England ten years ago. There is still a sense of innocence here.

“There is no class system down here. There are no ladies and lords and titled people. We don’t have any of that. It’s a pretty even society. The rich folks talk to the poor folks!

“Also, they really venerate rock stars over here. In the UK, there is a mentality that is always the younger, the better, the newer, the better.

“ You have almost got an alternative industry for the older people. Here (in Australia), you have got an alternative industry for the younger performers. The popular acts are the more established acts, the more mature acts.

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“In the UK, I am something of an underdog, which is a bit peculiar. But that’s one of the reasons I love being here. The other reason is creative. When you are far away from home, you are inspired to push yourself artistically and creatively. If I had stayed in England, I think I would have felt too comfortable. Here you have to prove yourself all the time.

“It’s like John Steinbeck never really lived in America. He lived everywhere else. Writers tend to do that. It gives you perspective on where you came from.

“I write songs very much based on England, but I am writing them from far away.

“Now I think that England is a special place because I am not there! It’s that thing about the grass always being greener! It feels easier to enjoy England from over here.

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“But really the great thing is that it just gives you a kick, a great big push when you have made that move and you have got to work hard and show what you can do. But at the same time, with jet planes and with the internet, you are never really too far away.”

Box office: 01903 206206 or www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

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