IT IS no wonder that Leo Sayer is considered a music business legend.

It is 43 years since his first album, he’s had five worldwide No.1 hits, is a Grammy winning songwriter, and is considered one of the world’s most thrilling and entertaining live performers.

Leo’s career started in 1972, when he met David Courtney through an audition in his home city of Brighton.

Leo and David started writing songs together and took these to Adam Faith, who himself had been a pop singing icon the 1950’s and 60’s.

Adam saw Leo’s potential immediately and, producing his first albums with David, steered the singer songwriter to almost instant success with 1973’s “Silverbird”, Leo’s debut album release.

On the cover Leo was memorably dressed and made up as a white faced Pierrot, singing “The Show Must Go On”.

But that wasn’t the first success for the trio of Leo, Adam and David, as a few months earlier they’d masterminded a solo album for The Who’s Roger Daltrey.

This introduced Leo to the world as the writer of “Giving It All Away”, which went straight into the US and UK Top Ten.

The same song gave Leo the title for his second album “Just A Boy”, which became a major success worldwide with the hit singles “Long Tall Glasses” and “One Man Band” in 1974.

By now, to add to all the success he’d had at home, Leo was visiting the USA, Australia, Europe and the Far East as an international concert headliner. Back home, he released his third album, “Another Year”, featuring his third top five single “Moonlighting”.

“You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” was a rapid US No.1 followed by more chart toppers with “When I Need You” and “How Much Love”, all these from the multi-platinum album “Endless Flight”.

They followed this up with “Thunder In My Heart” (1977) including “Thunder In My Heart” and “Easy To Love”, and “Leo Sayer” (1978) which had “Raining In My Heart” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You (Though I Try)” as hit singles.

In the last 10 years, since moving “down-under”, Leo hasn’t stopped working, still paying frequent visits to the UK and Europe and wherever his audiences still demand his performance.

Now he’s back in the UK again for Leo Sayer’s Live in Concert tour. To quote Leo’s very first hit: “The Show Must Go On”!

EXETER CORN EXCHANGE

Leo Sayer will be appearing at Exeter Corn Exchange on Friday, May 26, and tickets are now on sale.

It is a re-appearance at the venue after many years and Leo said he is excited to be returning to the city, which will be his first gig in the Westcountry for 20 years.

The Show will begin at 7.30pm.

HOW TO WIN

Courtesy of Exeter Corn Exchange, the “Courier” has a pair of tickets to be won to the concert.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question and return your answer with your name, address and a daytime telephone number.

Question: How many years is it since Leo Sayer produced his first album?

Send your answer, with the required details, to: Leo Sayer competition, “Crediton Courier”, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 1DP.

Alternatively, email your answer, with the required details, to: [email protected] .

The winner will be the first entry drawn after the closing date of noon on Wednesday, May 3.

Usual “Courier” competition rules apply. There is no alternative prize. The decision of the Editorial Manager will be final.