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Quick Search ----Click on each question to view the response.
MOST REQUESTED QUESTIONS
- How can I write/contact GOS?
- How can I buy GOS CDs, LPs and Singles?
- How can I add to my GOS collect?
- What's a GOS collectable?
- Where can I purchase some of the Japanese Imports?
- Are the "Live in Japan" video & the Japanese Boxset still available?
- Is there a GOS Mailing List?
- Where can I find GOS lyrics and sheet music?
- Has GOS forgotten about his American fans?
- How can I receive information about Gilbert?
- Does Gilbert or his organization run this website?
- Where can I find a biography on Gilbert?
The EARLY Years (1946-1970)
- What is Gilbert's real name?
- Where and when was he born?
- How many brothers and sisters does GOS have?
- What instrument did GOS play in his college bands?
- "I Wish I Could Cry" was written because?
- Why did Gilbert create his original image?
- What do the Tremeloes and GOS have in common?
- When did he make his recording debut?
- Where I can buy "Mr. Moody's Garden" and his other early recordings?
- Why Gilbert instead of Raymond?
The MAM/CBS Years (1970-1982)
The JERSEY Years (1983-Present)
- What happened to Gilbert from 1980 through 1989?
- What and where is Frobisher Drive?
- Is Gilbert married/does he have any children?
- What does GOS think of Japan and his suceess there?
- Where does Gilbert live these days?
- What is the title Singer Sowing Machine about?
- Who sang with him at Glastonbury '95?
- What does "Q" Magazine think of Gilbert's current music?
- What does the Irlish mean?
- Does Gilbert run his own website?
- Are there other fan-created websites?
What is Gilbert's real name?
a: Gilbert's real name is Raymond Edward O'Sullivan. It was changed to Gilbert O'Sullivan prior to releasing the first MAM Single "Nothing Rhymed".
a: Raymond O'Sullivan was born December 1st, 1946 in Waterford, Ireland.
How many brothers and sisters does GOS have?
a:Gilbert has three brothers Kevin, John, Terry and two sisters Marie and Deirdre.
"I Wish I Could Cry" was written because?
a:This song was written in 1968 as the result of the assination of Robert Kennedy. Gilbert recorded the song for the Major Minor label. As he had very little control of the production side of the song, he has re-recorded it numerous times. The latest recording was released in 1997 in Holland as a CD single and that version also appears on the lastest Japanese compilation. This song also has a special place in his heart becuase only two years ago he was able to buy it back from the record company that released it in 1971 [EMI]. Since the original version was recorded not to his liking he, finally had the opportunity to produce his way. He calls it the definitive version.
What instrument did GOS play in his college bands?
a:Gilbert started out as a drummer and later on moved to keyboards, In fact, his still says that he plays keyboards "percussively"! His college (Swindon Art School) bands were named: The Prefects, The Doodles and Rick's Blues. Rick Davies became the keyboard player for Supertramp.
Why did Gilbert create is original image?
a:Gilbert's Charlie Chaplin/Buster Keaton early look was carefully planned. GOS said "I had this thing about wanting to look different. At the time that I was making my first record, everybody tended to look a bit like James Taylor: denium shirts, denim jeans, long hair. I wanted to get away from that and attempt to be differnt. I dressed in away that made me look odd."
What do the Tremeloes and GOS have in common?
a:The Tremeleos recorded three of Gilbert's compositions: Come On Home, You and What Can I Do.
When did he make his recording debut?
a:Gilbert made his recording debut in 1967 with the song "You". In 1968, the second single was "What Can I Do" produced by Mike Smith and arranged by Keith Mansfield.
Where I can buy "Mr. Moody's Garden" and his other early recordings?
a:All of Gilbert's pre-MAM recordings were released as singles, including "You", "I Wish I Could Cry,"What Can I Do." Some of these early recordings where collected and placed on a low budget album called "The Humble Beginnings of Gerry Dorsey and Gilbert O'Sullivan." The A Side contains songs by Englebert Humperdick and the B side contains GOS songs. This album can be found but unfortunately Gilbert's songs were electronically enhanced with "fake Stereo" and they sound pretty bad. I don't know who owes the original tapes and if they still exist!
Why Gilbert instead of Raymond?
a:Gilbert made his recording debut in 1967 with the song "You" and the artist listed on the single was Gilbert. Many recording artist changed their names in 1960s and decades before. Raymond decided that Gilbert would be his "performing name". He says: "I called myself Gilbert. My first record company was CBS in 1967. I had all the gear and I called myself Gilbert. You'd look at the record and you'd see it was written by someone called O'Sullivan. That how the connection would be 'Gilbert O'Sullivan.'"
a:Gordon Mills is the record producer who signed Gilbert for managment, changed his name and installed him in a Surrey (England) bungalow for a full year to work on songs and refine his image. Gordon was formerly a singer in a "skiffle" group known as The Viscounts. He later moved on to songwriting and producing top hits for groups like Johnny Kidd and the Pirates and then to artist management of Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck. Gordon died on July 29th, 1986. Gilbert says of Gordon: "I wrote to him and sent him pictures. The guy was interested. Gordon didn't like the way I looked, but he liked my songs enough to put up with the way I looked. You gotta admire him for that." You can find more info about Gordon Mills by clicking here.
Was "Himself" release in the US as well as England?
a:Yes! Himself was released a few months later in US. The album packaging was identical. However, the song "Doing The best that I Can" was removed and "We Will" which was another top ten single in the UK was added. The Lp was modified again once "Alone Again (Naturally)" hit the charts.
What does "I basys be in goal" mean?
a:The last verse of the song "We Will" is:
"On Sunday next if the weather holds we'll have that game
but I bagsy be in goal not because I'm good
or because I think I should it's just that well at
my age I think standing still would really suit me best.."The phrase "I basys be in goal" refers to someone who prefers being the goal keeper in a football game (soccer) so he does not have to run around as much. Singer Andy Williams wanted to change this phrase because he didn't understand it. GOS said no way!
Who is the song "Clair" about?
a:GOS has said in many interviews and in concert that the song is about one of his manager's daugthers. Since he lived on the Mills Estate, he would often babysit and became quite fond of Clair. Gordon Mills plays the harmonica in the song and Clair, herself giggles at the end. This was a British Number one in the Fall of 1972.
What song introduced Americans to Gilbert O'Sullivan?
a:Although Gilbert had numerous Top Ten Hits in his homeland, the american music buying public was not aware of him. "Nothing Rhymed" which was his first MAM hit single was release in the States and only made it to #114. However, in the summer of '72 things changed. Alone Again (Naturally) was released and it sailed to the top the Billboard Chart where it reigned for an amazing six weeks. About the song GOS has said: "It obviously struck a chord with a great many people. To me, it's just a song. At the time that I wrote it, it was no different from other songs."
Did GOS sing/write "Oh Babe..What Would you Say?"
a:No. "Oh, Babe, What Would You Say? -- was recorded by Hurricane Smith. This always causes problems because Hurricane Smith recorded "Who Was it?". Also, "Beach Baby" is by First Class not Gilbert!
How many Grammy nominations did GOS receive in 1972?
a:In 1972 Gilbert recieved three Grammy nominations: (1) Song of Year (2) Record of Year (3) Best Male Performance. He walked away from the ceremony in Nashville empty-handed. (Typical grammy crap!)
What happened to Gilbert from 1980 through 1989?
a:As every GOS fan knows, Gilbert in 1976 was frustrated with Gordon Mills and he wanted to experiment with new producers. Gordon was unhappy with this and Gilbert self-produced "Southpaw" and in 1980 he officially departed MAM, signed with CBS and entered into a long litigation process. Gilbert says: "From about 1981 to 1985, until I won my lititgation, it was a rough time. It meant that I could write, of course, writers never stop writing. I continued to write and I continued to record at home. There was a that awful period from eighty-one right up to the time that I released the next album 'In the Key of G' in England in 1989."
What and where is Frobisher Drive?
a:Frobisher Drive is the name of a real street in Swindon, England. Gilbert lived on this street and many years later he decided to name album after that street. However, the photo itself is not of Frobisher Drive.
Is Gilbert married?/Does have any children?
a:Yes and Yes... Gilbert married his wife, Aase in 1980 and they have two daughters, Tara, born in 1985 and Helen-Marie born in 1981.
What does GOS think of Japan and his suceess there?
a:"They like the kind of thing I do. I'm not going to argue with it, and its been good. We go back there every year and they also help us because of our success, with the finance of the new albums. So that's the important thing, so its nice that they are that involved and like what I'm doing enough to be able to help me make the records, which you know, we release almost everywhere. The people are lovely because they have this custom of politeness and they genuinely behave that way, and so that's the first thing that strikes you, the bowing, no matter who it is, room service or the people who are meeting you from record companies. They are just extremely nice people. As business people, cos I deal with them on a business level too, as the owner of my records and stuff, they're very sharp. They're no fools, but they're very honest people to deal with. Well, I mean, in other words if there's a situation occurs where they have made a mistake, you know in Europe it could take you weeks to untangle it, once the Japanese realise they have made one, they immediately put it right, because they don't like that kind of thing. So they are good to deal with, hard, but good business people. On a personal level they are just wonderful. Audiences they're just very responsive. There is this thing that they don't get up and jump around because it's not in their make up to do that. That's true, but you know, you occasionally see them just about leaving their chairs and sort of looking at, should we should we. At the end of the show what we do, what we do at the end is jumping on the piano and I smash a keyboard into the floor. So that tends to make people want to get up and react. They are a little reserved in that respect, but its an interesting experience and an enjoyable one."
Where does Gilbert live these days?
a:Jersey is the most southerly of the British Isles (100 miles from mainland Britain and only 14 miles from the coast of France). It is the biggest of the Channel Islands, measuring nine miles long and five miles wide, and because of its position - and the fact it is in the flow of the gulf stream - enjoys a very pleasant climate. It has one of the best sunshine records in the British Isles, and in general receives a very mild climate all year round.
Gilbert talks about Jersey:"There isn't much crime, but the Bergerac is a kind of a myth because its shot in summer so you do get people coming to the Island expecting sunshine in December and stuff. So that isn't true, but it is idyllic in many other ways, because it's a very healthy climate. It's beautiful beaches, very unpolluted and, you know small roads. I don't drive so its, so you don't see many big cars and stuff. There's 20 mile an hour speed limits and stuff and that kind of appeals to me. I'd like to see more footpaths. So it's a very nice atmosphere Jersey. Very French looking but very English in behavior and stuff of people."
Click here to see where the Isle Of Jersey is located.
What is the title Singer Sowing Machine about?
a:Gilbert Says: "It's the thing about the singer/songwriter. People started to refer to people like me as a singer-songwriter. I don't mind being a songwriter, but the singer/songwriter has a kind of old, kind of it's synonymous with the 70's if you like. The Carole King-James Taylor era and I was associated with that. So it was kind of a joke so that when people say are you a singer/songwriter I say 'No, I'm a singer sowing machine'."
Who sang with him at Glastonbury '95?
a:Gilbert was invited to perform at the Glastonbury Festival (June 23-24-25) 1995 and he did with a string quartet! In the Acoustic Arena, the audience kept chanting GILBERT! He performed the numerous songs including "I Wish I Could Cry", "Matrimony", "Where Peaceful Waters Flow". On the song "Nothing Rhymed", Gilbert and Squeeze's Glen Tilbrook shared the vocals. The BBC (radio) broadcast this show, so tapes are floating around!
What does "Q" Magazine think of Gilbert's current music?
a:The Q reviewer wrote of Singer Sowing Machine:
"One hit in 22 years. Some people just can't take a hint.
Uninspired and uninspiring, Singer Sowing Machine is the sound of a once-entertaining talent that can't kick the writing habit, mistaking directionless doodling for creativity."How can I contact/write to Gilbert O'Sullivan?
a:Gilbert does not have a personal email address, however you can contact him at the following address:
Mr. Gilbert O'Sullivan
Buygum Records Ltd
Wootton Bassett
SN4 0EZ
UK
How can I buy GOS CDs, LPs and Singles?
a:If you are reading this answer then, most if not All, of Gilbert's recordings are simply just an e-mail away! Japan has released all the GOS albums on CD and they have created some beautiful collections as well. Park Records in the UK also has a good number of GOS cds. If you are looking for 45 singles and LPs then I would tell to go to second hand music shops. There also have been numerous complilations overs the years and RHINO Records just revamp their CD collection. This is available at any good record shop including Tower and Virgin and online music sites. PLease check the Linx Page for more information.
How can I add to my GOS collect?
a:For the hard core fans, I suggest that you do what I do...Surf the 'Net until you scream "I got blisters on my fingers" (Ringo Starr from the White LP). The Internet has become the virtual "flea-market." People will sell you anything for the right price. I also suggest reading the ads found in Goldmine Magazine and surfing to places that sell memorabillia. I have had good luck with the 'Net, but I make no guarantees or warrantees. Buy at your own risk.
EBAY is an online auction community. You can find many GOS items there.
Goldmine Magazine can be found in most music stores including Tower and Virgin or online.
C-Bub is one of the best sources for back issues of Magazines, Books, Tour Programs, Posters, Sheet Music and Memorabilia. They offer good service, quality merchandise & customer satisfaction.
a:To GOS-maniacs everything is worth collecting. Since I posted this website, I have spoken to many a gos-fan and marveled at the amount of time, effort and money they spend on their collection! What's there to collect? First of all, every country released GOS 45's and albums in 1970s. Some 45's have different mixes, and B sides. Most of them have beautiful picture sleeves. The British singles are boring since they were not released with sleeves. However, get your hands on some of the Dutch, German, Spanish or Italian picture sleeves and you will be hooked! The same goes for albums; the "Himself" album was released with different songs as well as "Back to Front" was released with "Alone Again" instead of "Clair". Italy released an album with some pre-MAM recordings entitled "Gilbert O'Sullivan E Le Sue Canzoni", Germany released these songs as double 45 set and the number of compilation LPs will drive you insane. Naturally, there are promo 45s and LPs as well and not let's forget the numerous concert programs and fan club photos and magazine articles. Naturally, the most sort after material is VIDEO and television appearances from around the world. Here are a few TV performances that collectors are searching for: The ITV "Back To Front" Special, The 1972 Grammy Awards, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, the Dean Martin Show, The 1971 BBC In Concert Show (he performed an acoustic version of "Mr. Moody's Garden", and sang "I Never Talk to People", an unreleased song) the 1978 BBC Sight & Sound show, the It's Lulu/GOS Duet of "Get Down" and the Tops of the Pops segments.
Where can I purchase some of the Japanese Imports?"
a:If you want CDs quickly with NO NONSENSE click here MUNDO or here CDJAPAN. I have personally ordered from both on-line shops.
Are the "Live in Japan" video & the Japanese Boxset still available?"
a:Unfortunately, the video is out-of-print and the beautiful Kitty Records box set are not longer available. "Save It" the B side to "Alone Again" was available in the box set as a CD single.
a:Yes, the mailing list is run by Steve Graves in the UK! Please click here to send your request to
Click to join gosWhere can I find GOS lyrics and sheet music?
a:There are two GOS songbooks that I am aware of that is still in print. The address for the first one is here. The second songbook can be found here. Lyrics are considered intellectual property for songwriters and are protected by copyright laws. Although I have created pages for lyrics to all of Gilbert's albums, this is an extremely time consuming task. If any wishs to help, please e-mail me any set of lyrics and I will add them to the site. Please note that numerous fan sites have been sent letters by the prospective music publishers requesting the removal of lyrics from certain websites.
Has GOS forgotten about his American fans?
a:To those of us that live in the USA and Canada, it might appear that this is case. However, Gilbert says: "In America, as far as most people are aware: five hits and then the guy disspears and they've never seen him again. My way of overcoming that is to get back into America, since I've been able to have control over everything from about 1988. In 1990,I worked with David Foster, who produces all the Chicago's records. I did a track with him at the start of exploring America again. The idea is to get back to the American public that we are still making records. We're still around. If you're interested, be patient."
How can I receive information about Gilbert?
a:You will receive information by writing to:
Gilbert O'Sullivan Information Worldwide c/o Lorraine Andrews 2 Werneth Rise Gee Cross, Hyde,Cheshire,SK14 5ND,England E-mail:lorraineandrews@btinternet.comDoes Gilbert or his organization run this website?
a:This website has no ties to Grand Upright Music Inc. In fact, the only thing that Gilbert and I share is that we both live on an island: Gilbert the Isle of Jersey and me, Joe DiMuro, the Isle of Manhattan. Most of the infomation comes from fans around the world, Lorraine Andrews at Gilbert O'Sullivan Information Worldwide, or from the official website.
a:Gilbert said: "It's the generation of the people that went to England in the 50s for a better life. It's reverse now. Everybody wants to come to Ireland. There was a big generation that went other there. You're Irish my birth tradition but you were brought up in England. So that you're sort of an "Irlish" element. In England you are looked upon as Irish and in Ireland some are looked upon you as English. So you are caught between the two."
Does Gilbert run his own website?
a:Yes, infact there are TWO wesbites that Gilbert runs. The official site [www.gilbertosullivan.com] was launched on September 20th, 2001. Its main sections are: |News and Information | Exclusives | Music | Fanzone | Online shop. The second one is www.bygumrecords.com. You can purchased numerous items from this site.
Are there other Fan-created websites?
a:Yes, infact there are many a good number of them from Canada to Irleand and Japan. Websites come and go. Check the links page for additional information.
Please send additional questions, corrections or comments to gosfan@yahoo.com
Copyright© 1998-2005 www.gosullivan.com. All rights reserved.
Revised May 23rd, 2005
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