Leo Sayer has opened up about an eerie phone call he received from Elvis Presley just one day before the rock 'n' roll icon's untimely death. The 78-year-old singer, best known for hits like When I Need You, revealed that Elvis had invited him for a private meeting, but tragedy struck before they could meet.
The Unforgettable Phone Call
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Leo described how the conversation came about. It all started after he fell off a stage at a concert in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. He leaned against a curtain on the side of the stage just before the show and plummeted about 23 feet onto his back. A roadie jumped down to help him, and he was taken to hospital.
As the tour continued, the group arrived in Memphis, where Leo was still suffering from the injury's delayed effects. He locked himself in his dressing room, and the concert was cancelled. A doctor was called, who turned out to be an ex-American football player. He took Leo to his gym and helped him recover. Curious about who employed the doctor, Leo kept asking, but the man wouldn't say. Eventually, the doctor handed him the phone, and a voice said, 'This is Elvis Aaron Presley, and you make me feel like dancing.'
Leo recalled, 'I go, "what the hell?" I think I swore and he was annoyed that I swore, because he was a very Christian guy. But we had this wonderful conversation for probably three quarters of an hour, talking about everything.' Elvis told him he was planning to go back on tour soon, was trying to get fit, and had let go of many members of his entourage, the Memphis Mafia.
A Meeting That Never Happened
Elvis invited Leo to visit him the next day, asking him to keep it secret. The King even suggested they make music together. Leo went to bed elated, but when he woke up late the following morning and turned on the radio, he heard the tragic news: Elvis Presley had been found dead at Memphis Baptist Hospital.
Leo admitted, 'It sounds selfish when I say I was that close to being with him, because it's not about me, it's about Elvis. But what a terrible circumstance.' Years later, Elvis's girlfriend Ginger met Leo in London and told him that Elvis had been thrilled about the upcoming meeting. She said the last thing she heard Elvis say was him singing You Make Me Feel Like Dancing as he went up the stairs, just before he died.
Leo's Career Continues
Nearly 50 years later, Leo is still producing music and touring. He is set to play to UK audiences later this year, calling it his final full tour. He said, 'I love performing for my fans and look forward to doing so for many more years, but this will be the last time I play so many dates across the country. I am not retiring, just slowing the number of live shows down.'
Additionally, Leo is releasing a box set of 18 CDs titled Leothology: The Studio Albums 1973-Now, available from August 14. He remains prolific and refuses to slow down, stating, 'I've got the brain of a 20 year old, and I still think my best work is ahead of me.'
