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CLICK ON A QUESTION TO REVEAL THE ANSWER

 

PERSONAL DETAILS

  1. Where was Gilbert born?

    • Gilbert was born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan on 1st December, 1946 in Waterford, Ireland.

  2. How tall is Gilbert?

    • Gilbert is 5ft 10in. and not 5ft. 2in as "No Matter How I Try" suggests.

  3. What colour are his eyes?

    • Blue.

  4. How many siblings has Gilbert?

    • Gilbert is the second oldest of six children, two sisters, Marie and Deirdre and three brothers, Kevin, John and Terry.

  5. Is Gilbert married?

    • Gilbert is married to Ase and they have two daughters, Tara and Helen-Marie

  6. Where does Gilbert live now?

    • Gilbert has lived on the Channel Island of Jersey since 1985.

  7. Where did Gilbert live previously?

    • Before moving to Jersey Gilbert lived for a few years in Bunclody , County Wexford in Ireland and before that in Weybridge, Surrey in England.

  8. What is Gilbert's favourite drink?

    • Assam tea (strong) but only out of a china cup, never from a mug.  He hates teabags with a vengeance.

            THE 60s

  1. Who created Gilbert's early image?

    • It was Gilbert's own idea to have a pudding basin haircut, and to wear a Charlie Chaplin jacket, a waistcoat, school tie, cap, and long trousers.  Contrary to popular belief he only wore short trousers for photographs.

  2. What was the first song that Gilbert ever wrote?

    • The song was called "Ready Miss Steady".  He has never recorded it but Gilbert plays it occasionally during sound checks, and in fact played it during the Berry Vest Tour of 2004.

  3. Did Gilbert ever play in group?

    • He played drums in his first group "The Doodles" and left them to join "The Prefects" while attending Swindon Art College.  He also played in "Ricks Blues" a group formed in 1962 by "Supertramp" keyboardist Rick Davies. 

  4. What was the first song that Gilbert ever recorded?

    • In his first recording session he recorded "What Can I Do" and "You".

  5. What was Gilbert's first record release?

    • Gilbert's first record was "Disappear", released in 1967 on the CBS label.  The b-side was "You"

  6. What was Gilbert's second record release?

    • His second record was "What Can I Do" again with "You" as the b-side.

  7. Who was the song "I Wish I Could Cry" written about?

    • It was written about the then recent death of Robert Kennedy.

  8. When was Gilbert's first radio broadcast?

    • Gilbert first appeared on radio was on John Peel's 'Top Gear' show on BBC Radio 1 in 1968.

     

    THE 70s

  9. What song gave Gilbert his first chart success?

    • " Nothing Rhymed" reached No.8 in the UK charts in 1970.  The b-side was "Everybody Knows"

  10. Is it true that "Alone Again (Naturally)" was almost overlooked as a single?

    • Yes, "Alone Again (Naturally)" was recorded in one three hour session along with "Out Of The Question".  Most people considered the latter to be the most commercial of the two.  However Gordon Mills decided to go with "Alone Again".

  11. Who played the acoustic guitar solo on the song "Alone Again (Naturally)?"

    • That was played by Scottish born guitarist Big Jim Sullivan (no relation).

  12. Is "Alone Again (Naturally)" taken from personal experiences?

    • To answer this I'm quoting Gilbert from an interview he gave to the New Musical Express in May 1972.

       

      Are the songs every taken from personal experiences?

      "I don't think so. 'Alone Again' wasn't.  A lot of letters I've had have said, it must be awful, your mother dying like that.  My father's dead, but that song's got nothing to do with me.  It's just that I think I understand that situation.  I get the feeling that if someone was jilted at the church, even though he had never contemplated suicide before, it might be such a shattering experience that he would.  Maybe I would.  Then, in that sort of deep depression, you would probably think of all the bad things that had happened during your life.  They'd all come to you.  But it's not about me."

  13. When Gilbert changed his image where did he get the idea for the jumpers with the letter 'G' on them?

    • Gilbert got the idea when he saw the Buster Keaton movie "College" in which he played a student.

  14. When and where did Gilbert make his concert debut?

    • Gilbert played two shows on 31st October 1972 in The National Stadium in Dublin.

  15. Who is the hit song "Clair" about?

    • "Clair" was written for Gilbert's former manager Gordon Mills and his wife Jo about their youngest daughter, for whom Gilbert occasionally babysat.  The harmonica solo is played by Gordon (former U.K. harmonica champion), and the laugh at the end of the record is Clair herself.

  16. How many No.1 singles has Gilbert had?

    • Gilbert has had two No.1 singles in the UK, with " Clair" and " Get Down", and one in the USA, with " Alone Again (Naturally)".  He has many other No.1s around the world: "Nothing Rhymed" (Holland), "Underneath The Blanket Go" (Holland), "Matrimony" (Norway), "Ooh-Wakka-DooWakka-Day" (Ireland), "Get Down" (Germany), "What's In A Kiss" (Spain) and "Tomorrow Today" (Japan) to name a few.

  17. Was "Clair" a No.1 in the USA?

    • No it only reached No.2 for two weeks in Jan 1973.

  18. Who did Gilbert lose out to at the 1972 Grammy Awards?

    • Gilbert and "Alone Again (Naturally)" were nominated for three awards:  "Song of The Year", "Record of The Year" and "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance".  "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face" written by Ewan MacColl and sung by Roberta Flack won both the "Song of The Year" and "Record of The Year" Awards, while "Without You" by Harry Nilsson won the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance".

  19. What Ivor Novello awards has Gilbert won?

    • He has won three awards:  "Best Ballad or Romantic Song" for No Matter How I Try in 1971,  "Songwriter Of The Year" in 1972 and "Most Performed British Song" for "Get Down" in 1973.

  20. When was Gilbert's first appearance in the USA?

    • On the Dean Martin 14 Sept 1972.

  21. Has Gilbert ever toured America?

    • Yes Gilbert played 20 dates in the U.S. in Sept/Oct 1973.

  22. When was Gilbert's last appearance in the USA?

    • Gilbert's last appearance was as a special guest on a Carpenters concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1975.

  23. Has Gilbert ever recorded anyone else's songs?

    • No, Gilbert has never recorded anyone else's songs, though he did duet with Dean Martin singing "Gentle On My Mind" as a guest on his TV show, and with Burt Bacharach singing "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?" on his TV show.

  24. What was Gilbert's first self produced single?

    • That was "Doing What I Know" in 1976.

  25. What was Gilbert's first self produced album?

    • That was "Southpaw" in 1977.

  26. What does the album title "Southpaw" mean?

    • Southpaw is a boxing term for a left handed boxer who leads with the right hand.  It's basically a left-hander in any sphere, of which Gilbert is.

     

    THE 80s

  27. What has Gilbert got in common with the group 10cc?

    • Gilbert's 1982 album "Life & Rhymes" was produced by Graham Gouldman, a founder member of 10cc.

  28. Where is "Frobisher Drive"?

    • Gilbert lived on Frobisher Drive in Swindon, but the photograph on the album sleeve is not of Frobisher Drive.  It was taken on Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England.

     

    THE 90s

  29. What is The Original Collection?

    • In 1990 Kitty Records released The Original Collection in Japan, a 5 CD box set of Gilbert's first five albums; Himself, Back To Front, I'm A Writer Not A Fighter, A Stranger In My Own Back Yard and Southpaw.  The box set included a lyrics booklet and a bonus 3" CD of "Alone Again (Naturally)" and "Save It".

  30. Why did Gilbert sue American rapper Biz Markie in 1991?

    • Gilbert sued Biz Markie and won the decision after Markie's unauthorized sample of "Alone Again (Naturally)" on his 1991 album I Need a Haircut.

  31. Does Gilbert write all his own songs?

    • Gilbert has written all his own songs with the exception of "What A Way (To Show I Love You)" which he co-wrote with Takao Kisugi in 1991.  Gilbert wrote the lyrics while Takao composed the music.

  32. Has Gilbert done any acting?

    • In 1991 he went on the road with a stage show, entitled "Every Song Has It's Play", using actors to re-create the rise and fall and rise of a singer in the music business.  Gilbert played himself of course with actor Patrick Marlowe playing the young Gilbert.  A female string quartet 'A Touch of Class' provided musical accompaniment.

  33. Are there any Video/DVDs available of Gilbert's music?

    • A 1993 live performance in Japan was recorded and released on video.  "Tomorrow Today, Live in Japan '93" is unfortunately out of print and no longer available.  Two shows in Tokyo were recorded in June 2004, and a DVD/CD "Live At Duo Music Exchange" was released on 23rd February 2005. To see the track listing, click HERE. The "Live At Duo Music Exchange" was repackaged with bonus tracks added and released in the U.K. in July 2006 as "Gilbert O'Sullivan Live In Tokyo". To see the track listing, click HERE.

  34. What tracks were on the video Tomorrow Today, Live in Japan '93?

    • At The Very Mention Of Your Name

    • Came To See Me Yesterday

    • Nothing Rhymed

    • No Matter How I Try

    • Got To Be That Way

    • Clair

    • Dear Dream

    • Hold On To What You Got

    • Matrimony

    • Can't Get Enough Of You

    • Not That It Bothers Me

    • Tomorrow Today

    • What's In A Kiss?

    • Get Down

    • Alone Again (Naturally)

    • Where Peaceful Waters Flow

  35. Who is Larry in the album title "By Larry"?

    • Larry is a famous English cartoonist, much admired by Gilbert.  Larry provided original cartoons for the album sleeve  and booklet.

  36. What songs did Gilbert sing at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 1995?

    • Nothing Rhymed (duet with Glenn Tilbrook from the group Squeeze)

    • I Wish I Could Cry

    • Hold On To What You Got

    • Matrimony

    • Miss My Love Today

    • What Could Be Nicer (Reggae Version)

    • Dishonourable Profession

    • Thunder And Lightning

    • Get Down

    • Where Peaceful Waters Flow

  37. What does the album title "Singer Sowing Machine" mean?

    • The album title is a humorous reaction by Gilbert to being constantly referred to as a singer/songwriter.

     

    THE 00s

  38. What does the album title "Irlish" mean?

    • The album title "Irlish" is a combination of the words Irish and English, appropriate for someone born in Ireland and raised in England.  Gilbert's family was part of this migration.

  39. Does Gilbert have his own record label?

    • Yes he does, Bygum Records.  Most of his back catalogue can be bought from their website: www.bygumrecords.com

  40. What does the album title "Piano Foreplay" mean?

    • The title is a play on words: Piano Foreplay, Pianoforte, which is the formal term for a piano.

  41. What is Caricature: The Box?

    • In 2004 Rhino Handmade Records released a 3 CD anthology in the USA of Gilbert's music entitled Caricature: The Box.  It contains 73 tracks which span the years 1967-2001.  This is the first in-depth survey of Gilbert's lengthy career. It contains numerous singles and b-sides, tracks from 16 of his albums, and five previously unreleased tracks.

  42. Where can I buy a Gilbert songbook?

    • "The Best of Gilbert O'Sullivan" songbook, which has the lyrics and music to 21 of Gilbert's songs is currently sold out at www.bygumrecords.com.  Occasionally individual sheet music comes up for sale on www.ebay.com

  43. Where can I buy Gilbert O'Sullivan CDs?

    • There are a number of on-line sites selling Gilbert CDs.  For example, ByGum Records, CD Japan and Mundo to name just a few.  Check out the LINKS page.

  44. Where can I buy the CDs "Off Centre" and "Life & Rhymes?".

  45. When will Gilbert be playing in my area?

    • If you would like to see Gilbert  in your area, we would suggest you contact your local venues and suggest that they look into booking his show.  Most promoters have access to the booking agents of artists such as Gilbert.  But if for some reason, they do not have access to this information, they can send an email to info@parkrecords.com and supply as much information as possible regarding the venue, etc.

 

Comments, questions and suggestions are most welcome to brian@gilbertosullivan.com