Singer Leo Sayer, known for his 1970s hits, continues to earn substantial income from his Grammy Award-winning song "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," potentially up to £200,000 annually, four decades after its release.
Sayer, who broke onto the music scene with chart-topping singles like "When I Need You" and "The Show Must Go On," is preparing for a UK tour and the release of a career-spanning anthology CD. Now 78, he resides in New South Wales, Australia, with his wife, Donatella.
While Sayer achieved significant success in 1974 with hits like "The Show Must Go On" and "Just a Boy," and his debut album "Silverbird" reaching number two on the UK album charts, he has also experienced financial complexities. He recounted how, early in his career, he signed with manager Adam Faith, granting him power of attorney. Sayer stated that under this agreement, he was not always fully informed about the financial details of his contracts, sometimes receiving a fraction of the actual fees earned.
More recently, Sayer engaged in a financial transaction that has proven beneficial: he traded half of his song catalogue to an American music investment company. "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing," which originated as a studio jam session, has become a significant earner through cover versions and continued airplay.
Sayer noted that his parents advised him to be mindful of his finances, but he experienced challenges with numbers due to dyspraxia, a condition that can cause difficulties with coordination and numbers. He mentioned that he still feels anxious when dealing with figures and online security codes.
His early career included work as a graphic designer and commercial artist before breaking into music. He also held various jobs, including a hotel porter and writing unemployment checks. After a period of overwork led to a breakdown, he returned to live in Sussex, played gigs with his band Patches, and eventually secured a music audition.
Sayer and his wife moved to a village in New South Wales in 2005, seeking more space and a renewed career focus. He expressed that Australia has been more receptive to his new music alongside his back catalogue, in contrast to what he perceived as a lack of interest in new material from established artists in England.
His current financial priority is to maintain his career, which includes managing two bands in the UK and Australia and supporting his upcoming tour and anthology release. He stated that if he can deliver these projects successfully and balance his books, he will be content.