31 Facts About Gilbert O'Sullivan

Gilbert O'Sullivan's songs are often marked by his distinctive, percussive piano playing style and observational lyrics using word play.

Gilbert O'Sullivan has received three Ivor Novello Awards, including "Songwriter of the Year" in 1973.

Gilbert O'Sullivan was born on 1 December 1946 in Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland.

The family first moved to Battersea, London, when Gilbert O'Sullivan was seven, before settling in Swindon, Wiltshire a year later.

Gilbert O'Sullivan's father died two years after the move to Swindon.

Gilbert O'Sullivan attended St Joseph's Catholic College, before studying at Swindon College, specialising in graphic design, where he played with several semi-professional bands.

Gilbert O'Sullivan was mostly a drummer in a band called Rick's Blues, along with Malcolm Mabbett, Keith Ray and founder Rick Davies.

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Ivor Novello Rick Davies Gordon Mills Michael Eavis Gerry Rafferty Leo Sayer Ken Bruce

Gilbert O'Sullivan's drumming informed his style of piano-playing, which often utilises a distinct, percussive piano pattern.

In 1967, Gilbert O'Sullivan moved from Swindon to London in pursuit of a career in music.

10.

Gilbert O'Sullivan said his love of silent film inspired the look.

11.

Gilbert O'Sullivan then sent some demo tapes to Gordon Mills, the manager of Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, whereupon Gilbert O'Sullivan was signed to Mills' newly founded label, MAM Records.

12.

Mills didn't agree with Gilbert O'Sullivan's self-created image, but Gilbert O'Sullivan insisted on using it, initially.

13.

Gilbert O'Sullivan's signature look garnered much attention and often saw him compared to the Bisto Kids.

14.

Gilbert O'Sullivan opted not to tour in promotion of the album, but did however make a number of appearances on British television during 1971, most notably recording an edition of BBC In Concert broadcast 18 December 1971.

15.

In 1972, Gilbert O'Sullivan achieved international fame with "Alone Again ", a ballad which touches on suicide and loss.

16.

Gilbert O'Sullivan unveiled a more modern 'college-like' look in which he often wore a sweater bearing a large letter 'G'.

17.

Gilbert O'Sullivan's success led to his taking part in the BBC's anniversary programme Fifty Years of Music in November 1972.

18.

Gilbert O'Sullivan enjoyed nearly five years of success with MAM, a run that included seven UK top 10 singles and four UK top 10 albums; three US top 10 singles and one top 10 album; five Dutch top 10 singles and three top 10 albums; five New Zealand top 10 singles; three Canadian top 10 singles; and seven Japan top 10 singles.

19.

In June 1975, Gilbert O'Sullivan had his last top 20 hit, "I Don't Love You But I Think I Like You".

20.

Gilbert O'Sullivan released a fifth album with MAM in 1977, Southpaw, but it failed to chart.

21.

Gilbert O'Sullivan discovered his recording contract with MAM Records greatly favoured the label's owner, Gordon Mills.

22.

Gilbert O'Sullivan is noted for his role in bringing about the practice of clearing samples in hip hop music, as a result of the 1991 court case Grand Upright Music, Ltd.

23.

Gilbert O'Sullivan has continued to record and perform into the 21st century.

24.

Gilbert O'Sullivan appeared at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival, to which he performed his well know hits "Alone Again, Clair, Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day, Nothing Rhymed, and Get Down", but his latter two performances overran.

25.

Gilbert O'Sullivan, feeling embarrassed, wrote a "long apologetic" letter to Michael Eavis, yet received no response; Gilbert O'Sullivan was never asked to return to the Glastonbury stage, which led to a brief period of sourness between him and his Agent.