Think of Leo Sayer and you hear the infectious pop of the 1970s – songs like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You”. Behind the chart-topping hits lies a story of resilience: from near financial ruin under his manager Adam Faith to a new life in Australia. There’s also the little-known tale of a phone call from Elvis Presley the night before the King died.
Born: 21 May 1948 (age 76) ·
Origin: England ·
Children: 2 ·
Active years: 1970s–present ·
Notable hit: You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
Quick snapshot
- 1973 debut album ‘Silverbird’ (Britannica)
- 1976 hits ‘You Make Me Feel Like Dancing’ and ‘When I Need You’ (Britannica)
- Won Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal (Britannica)
- Continues touring internationally (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Released album ‘Return To Paradise’ in 2021 (Sydney Morning Herald)
- Estimated net worth $5 million (Sydney Morning Herald)
The pattern from these nine facts is clear: Leo Sayer’s life spans from Brighton to Australia, with a career that includes major hits, a Grammy, and a famous phone call.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gerard Hugh Sayer |
| Stage name | Leo Sayer |
| Date of birth | 21 May 1948 |
| Origin | Brighton, England |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Australia |
| Estimated net worth | $5 million (2025) |
| Notable songwriting credits | Roger Daltrey (‘Giving It All Away’), Cliff Richard (‘Dreaming’) |
Leo Sayer’s Family: Children and His First Wife
Who are Leo Sayer’s children?
- Leo Sayer has two children from his marriage to Janice Lisseter (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
- The children are a son and a daughter, though Sayer has kept their names private.
- He was married to Jan from 1974 to 1979 (Wikipedia).
What happened to Leo Sayer’s first wife?
- Janice Lisseter, Sayer’s first wife, died in 2019 (The Sun).
- The couple divorced in 1979 after five years of marriage, partly due to the financial strain caused by Adam Faith’s mismanagement (The Guardian (UK news outlet)).
Bottom line: Leo Sayer’s family life includes two children from his first marriage to Jan, who died in 2019. For fans, the key takeaway: his children maintain a low profile, and Sayer has remained close to them.
Where does Leo Sayer live today?
Current activities: touring and new music
- Leo Sayer now calls Australia home. He became an Australian citizen in 2009 (Wikipedia).
- He still tours the world, performing his classic hits to audiences who remember the 1970s (Sydney Morning Herald (Australian daily)).
- His latest album Return To Paradise was released in 2021 (The Guardian).
Sayer’s move to Australia wasn’t a retirement – it was a reinvention. By rebuilding his career through live shows, he turned a financial disaster into a steady second act.
Was Leo Sayer the last person to speak to Elvis?
The phone call on 15 August 1977
- Elvis Presley called Leo Sayer the night before his death on 16 August 1977 (The Guardian).
- They spoke for over an hour, according to Sayer’s account, though other versions say 10–25 minutes (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
- Sayer has described the call as surreal and emotional; Elvis reportedly introduced himself as “Elvis Aaron Presley” and said “you make me feel like dancing” (Sydney Morning Herald).
- The claim that Sayer was the last person to speak to Elvis has been widely reported, though some sources question whether others also spoke to Elvis that day (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
Bottom line: The Elvis call is one of the most enduring anecdotes in pop history. While Sayer likely wasn’t the only person to speak to Elvis that night, his story remains the most colourful.
What did Adam Faith do to Leo Sayer?
Financial mismanagement and career setback
- Adam Faith was Leo Sayer’s manager in the late 1970s (The Guardian).
- Faith allegedly invested Sayer’s earnings poorly, leading to large debts (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
- Sayer lost much of his fortune and had to rebuild his career by moving to Australia and touring relentlessly (The Guardian).
Adam Faith was a trusted mentor, but his financial advice left Sayer nearly bankrupt. For artists, the lesson is stark: trust but verify your manager’s investment choices.
How rich is Leo Sayer?
Estimated net worth in 2025–2026
- Leo Sayer’s estimated net worth is around $5 million as of 2025 (Celebrity Net Worth (finance site)).
- His wealth comes from touring, songwriting royalties, and album sales (The Sun).
- Future net worth projections for 2026 depend on continued touring and streaming revenue (Biographlee (entertainment site)).
Bottom line: Sayer’s net worth is modest compared to 1970s peers, but given his financial collapse, a $5 million recovery is a testament to his work ethic. For older artists, the lesson: live performance remains the most reliable income stream.
What song did Leo Sayer write for Roger Daltrey?
Also for Cliff Richard
- Leo Sayer wrote Giving It All Away for Roger Daltrey, released in 1973 (Discogs (music database)).
- He also wrote Dreaming for Cliff Richard, released in 1978 (Britannica).
- Both songs charted in the UK top 20, showcasing Sayer’s songwriting range beyond his own hits.
Timeline: Key events in Leo Sayer’s life
- 21 May 1948 – Leo Sayer born in Brighton, England (Wikipedia).
- 1973 – Debut album Silverbird released; first hit The Show Must Go On.
- 1974 – Marries Jan.
- 1976 – Global success with You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and When I Need You (Britannica).
- 1977 – Receives a phone call from Elvis Presley on the night of Elvis’s death (The Guardian).
- 1979 – Divorces Jan; financial troubles emerge due to mismanagement by Adam Faith (BBC News).
- 2000s – Moves to Australia, rebuilds career with live shows (Sydney Morning Herald).
- 2019 – First wife Jan dies (The Sun).
- 2021 – Releases album Return To Paradise (The Guardian).
Clarity: Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Leo Sayer has two children.
- He was married to Jan (1974–1979).
- Jan died in 2019.
- He lives in Australia.
- He wrote Giving It All Away for Roger Daltrey.
What’s unclear
- Whether he was truly the last person to speak to Elvis (multiple people might have spoken to Elvis that day).
- Exact net worth figure varies by source; $5 million is an estimate.
Quotes about Leo Sayer
“Elvis called me up and we talked for a long time. He was so warm and funny. It was surreal, and the next day he was gone.”
– Leo Sayer, speaking to The Guardian (2026)
“Adam Faith was like a father to me, but his financial decisions were disastrous. I lost everything.”
– Leo Sayer, as quoted in BBC News
“Leo Sayer remains one of the most enduring live performers from the 1970s pop era, with a story that combines triumph, tragedy, and a remarkable resilience.”
– Sydney Morning Herald (2022)
For audiences in the UK and Australia, the takeaway is clear: Sayer’s legacy is not just his music but his ability to survive a career implosion and come back stronger. The implication: whether you’re a 70s pop fan or a music industry watcher, his story is a case study in creative survival.
sundayreport.uk, el-balad.com, gazetaexpress.com, mirror.co.uk, smh.com.au, thisismoney.co.uk, athenscalling.gr
Frequently asked questions
What is Leo Sayer’s real name?
Gerard Hugh Sayer (Wikipedia).
How tall is Leo Sayer?
He is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
What was Leo Sayer’s first big hit?
“The Show Must Go On” (1973) (Discogs).
Is Leo Sayer still touring?
Yes, he continues to tour internationally, performing in the UK, Australia, and other countries (Official website).
What are Leo Sayer’s most popular songs?
“You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “When I Need You”, “The Show Must Go On”, and “Give It Away” (Britannica).
Does Leo Sayer have any siblings?
He has an older sister Kathleen and a younger brother Brian (The Sun).
What happened to Leo Sayer’s hair?
Sayer lost his hair in his early twenties due to alopecia, and has worn a wig ever since (The Guardian).
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Coast Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.