Singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan brings his 50th Anniversary Tour – Celebrating Five Decades of Music tour to St Albans next month.
After 50 years in the business, he will be appearing at The Alban Arena for a sold-out show on Sunday, March 12.
Gilbert O’Sullivan made his first foray into the music business with the release of his debut single Disappear in 1967.
It launched O’Sullivan on a career that is still thriving five decades later.
His live show coming to St Albans will include classics such as Alone Again (Naturally), Nothing Rhymed, Matrimony and number one hits Clair and Get Down, as well as songs from the latest album, Latin Ala G, including recent singles No Way and I Guess I’ll Always Love You.
![Herts Advertiser: Gilbert O'Sullivan can be seen live at The Alban Arena in St Albans [Picture: Jon Stewart]](/resources/images/15533418.jpg?type=mds-article-620 "Herts Advertiser: Gilbert O'Sullivan can be seen live at The Alban Arena in St Albans [Picture: Jon Stewart]")
Born Raymond Edward O’Sullivan in Ireland in 1946, he moved to Swindon with his family aged seven, and after a formal education became a student at Swindon Art College, specialising in graphic design.
But he had another love – music – and after forming and joining local bands as a drummer/vocalist, he started writing his own songs, heavily influenced by The Beatles as writers and Bob Dylan as a performer.
Calling himself Gilbert, with a very distinctive image, two singles released by CBS Records and one with the Major Minor label, got little attention.
Undeterred, he sent a demo tape to Gordon Mills, the man behind Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck, who impressed with his songwriting became his manager.
The result was his first single on the MAM label, Nothing Rhymed, became a UK Top Ten hit in 1970.
More hit singles and a debut album Himself followed.
But it was 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 British number one hits with Clair, Get Down and LP Back to Front.
Gilbert was later named ‘Songwriter of the Year’ at the 18th Ivor Novello Awards.
Gilbert O’Sullivan’s St Albans concert starts at 7.30pm.
• To buy tickets for shows at The Alban Arena, call the box office on 01727 844488 or book online at www.alban-arena.co.uk
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