HAVING been friends for more than 40 years, it may surprise many people that British pop stars Leo Sayer and Lulu are only now about to embark on their first tour together.
“We’ve known each other since the start of my career,” Sayer said.
“Lulu was well on the way to the middle of her career by the time I started, but the funny thing is we’re both the same age.
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READ NOW“She got discovered very young so she was already established when I was leaving art school and becoming a graphic designer, so I didn’t get to meet her until about 1972-73.”
“Adam Faith, my manager, who was a big pop star in those days, introduced me to Lulu and we got on like a house on fire straight away because we realised we were like brother and sister in a way, so that’s how close we are.”
Last year, promoters suggested to Sayer and Lulu they should tour together.
“Somehow they got talking to Lulu and they realised that Lulu and I were really good friends so they offered the tour to me and I thought it was great,” Sayer said.
“So Lu and I got together in London. I was actually doing a concert and she came down and jumped on stage during You Make Me Feel Like Dancing and we started singing together.
“We had a meeting the next day and said ‘We’ve got to do this’.
“It just feels like a nice combination and a bit of a fresh idea and that’s showing in the ticket sales so far.”
Sayer said while he and Lulu would sing many of their own songs, the show would be mostly duets.
“We’re cherry picking from both of our live shows, the most famous hits of course,” he said.
“I’m also singing a couple of songs that are not usually in my live shows but they’re songs I’m very well known for and there’ll be a couple of surprise numbers that people don’t associate with the two of us but things we love singing, soulful things.
“It’s going to be action-packed songs. I’m trying to influence the musicians to really segueway the songs together so you get this feeling that it’s a total music experience all the time.
“Not too much talking and a lot of songs; I think that’s what people want to see.
“We both have the same energy as well; I’m famed for my energy and she’s famed for hers, so look out world.”
This will also be the first time Lulu has toured Australia.
“She’s very excited because I’ve been telling her how awesome and how welcoming (Australian audiences) are,” Sayer said.
“Nothing prepares you for that first moment where you walk out on the stage.
“She’s going to get a welcome that is absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to be there to see it.”
The Leo and Lulu tour starts at Sydney’s State Theatre on June 23 before heading around Australia, including Perth Concert Hall, and a quick trip to New Zealand.THE ESSENTIALS
What: Leo Sayer and Lulu
Where: Perth Concert Hall
When: July 3
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au