“I look at my role as being a friend of Canberra Hospital, I can bring some pleasure and happiness sometimes to people who are really in difficult times in their lives.”
With backing music from a Bluetooth speaker, Sayer croons his way around the cancer wards, making a human connection with everyone he comes across.
Canberra Region Cancer Centre Operations Manager Caroline McIntyre says Sayer’s visits are typically kept a surprise for patients and staff.
“He’s always come in so discreetly,” she says.
“Normally it’s just very quiet, he comes up in the back lift and says hello to literally everybody.
“Some of them are doing it tough, and to have a little bit of joy and light – it really gives them a lift.
“What makes me happy is to see people getting chemo on their feet dancing.”
Jamming with Jimi Hendrix, Countdown and the Troubadour
Originally a graphic designer by trade, English-born Leo Sayer rose to pop prominence in London in the late 1960s, as a singer-songwriter – and was soon adopted by Australia as an honorary son after his first tour here in 1974.
He went on to become an Australian citizen in 2009.
Sayer was a regular on ABC TV’s Countdown during the 70s and 80s, performing chart-toppers like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “When I Need You”, “More Than I Could Say” and “Orchard Road”.
He blushingly admits they were wild days – when he didn’t always live up to his “good-guy” public persona.
“It was mad, I mean, Top of the Pops in England, Countdown over here,” he says.
“You were mobbed by the fans, I remember being dragged out of a limousine the first tour that I came here, and then speaking to crazy people like Molly Meldrum on TV and trying to sort of like take it all in.”
It seems hard to believe – the petite, well-spoken singer, with a mane of curly hair that inspired changing his name from Gerard to Leo – beating off mobs of screaming fangirls.
Sayer circulated in superstar company, becoming close friends with former Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney, collaborating with Roger Daltrey of The Who, and even sharing a sly cigarette or two with John Lennon and Yoko Ono who had a flat above his design studio.
“I met Jimi Hendrix right at the start of his career. I actually jammed with him, playing the harmonica, and him playing the guitar,” he says.
Recalling his 1975 opening night at the famous Troubadour Club in Los Angeles, he looked up to see an intimidating line-up of fans in the front row.
“It was David Bowie, Elton John, and ‘The Fonz’ [Henry Winkler].”
Alongside them: John Cleese, Mick Jagger, Bernie Taupin, and comedian Marty Feldman.
“We never thought it would last, we were adapting to things around us, writing songs about things that are around us,” he says.
“And we thought they were only for our generation — so the amazing thing is my music’s become like a fine wine, where you lay it down and years later, it becomes a collector’s item.
“We’re in an age where the music that I make, young kids are actually latching onto it now, and they’re finding that that generation and that style of music we made is as current now as anything.”
Sayer’s health battles, still spreading hope at 76
Leo Sayer says his hospital charity work caps off a career dedicated to providing joy through music.
“It’s a nice piece of synchronicity really, because I was born in the grounds of a hospital in Shoreham by Sea in Sussex, near Brighton in England,” Mr Sayer said.
“I suppose I’ve always felt comfortable in hospitals and being around hospitals.
“Growing up, my dad was a hospital engineer, Mum was a nurse, my sister was a matron.”
Sayer has health struggles of his own, including three stents in his heart, which help him have a genuine connection to the hospital patients he entertains.
“[My music] is providing something that isn’t taking away from any of the treatment that’s going on. It’s providing something that’s just putting a smile on peoples’ faces.
“Music is communication and that’s what this is all about, we’re communicating, we’re making people feel better.
“We’re not healing people with music, but we are making them feel better about their healing.
“To sell out Canberra Hospital will do me fine.”
Hollywood Famous Actor’s Wife Sacrificed Everything for Him, She Saved His Life with a Kidney Donation
A woman’s incredible kindness toward her famous husband ended in heartbreak that tore their family apart. His actions not only hurt her deeply but also damaged his relationship with their child. What she said after going through all the pain will surprise you.
The man, a well-known comedian and actor, had been married to his wife for nearly 20 years. She was loyal and loving throughout their marriage. In a moment of crisis, she made a huge sacrifice to save his life, but later, he betrayed her in a way she never expected.
But things took a turn. As the years passed, the man’s behavior changed. He became distant from his wife and started spending more time away from the family. Eventually, it was revealed that he had been unfaithful, breaking the bond they once had. His betrayal shocked everyone, especially since she had given so much for him.
The wife was devastated by his actions. She had sacrificed not just for their marriage, but for his life. His betrayal hurt her more than words could express. Their child, who had always admired the strong relationship between their parents, was also affected. The trust in their father was broken, and it created a rift that would not easily heal.
After the betrayal, the woman spoke out. Instead of lashing out in anger, she shared surprising words. She didn’t focus on the hurt or the betrayal but instead expressed her hope for healing. She said that despite everything, she wished for peace and understanding, not just for herself, but for their child and even for her husband.
Her response showed the strength and grace she had, even after everything she had been through. While their marriage ended and the family was forever changed, her words reflected her desire for everyone to move forward and find peace, even if it couldn’t be together.
The celebrity’s ex-wife also made her mark in the entertainment industry, where they first met. They got married in September 1993, and three years later, they welcomed their only child in April 1996.
However, their marriage was not easy, facing many personal struggles and heartaches. In an honest interview, the actor admitted that he was not perfect during their marriage.
He fought against alcohol addiction and openly said, “In my private life, I’m not perfect. I never have been. I’ve talked about it for years.”
He also shared how he grew as a person, explaining that he had once spent time in casinos but changed to focus on creating a better life. He believed this change was the best way to take care of himself and avoid hurting those who cared about him.
In addition to his struggles with addiction, the actor faced a serious health issue that required major surgery. He learned he had kidney disease, which he thought might have been avoided when he was a child.
In a July 2011 interview, he shared that he was born with narrow ureters, which made it hard for him to drain properly and led to frequent bed-wetting as a child.
Instead of getting medical help, his grandmother limited his water intake, not knowing about the underlying problem. By the age of 18, he developed high blood pressure, and his health continued to get worse.
“Kidney disease isn’t painful in the traditional sense, but it does make you feel very tired. I kept thinking I was tired from working hard when really my kidneys were failing,” the actor explained.
His health issues worsened, leading to kidney failure and the need for a transplant.
His then-wife made a significant choice and offered to donate one of her kidneys to save him. When reflecting on her decision, she said, “It’s amazing to help someone like this. You’re giving the gift of life.”
He expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was a miracle that my wife’s kidney could be used. Now I value each day because I don’t know how long this kidney will last.”
The actor used a fake name when he went to the hospital to keep his privacy. The night after the surgery, their daughter visited but could only see her mother.
After the operation, his wife, who is also a producer, said that having one kidney didn’t make her feel any different. People can live with just one kidney because the remaining kidney can adjust to work harder.
After the surgery, her husband felt better than ever and recovered well. Once his body accepted the kidney, they knew the surgery had been a success. Just three weeks later, he was back on the golf course.
Their daughter expressed her gratitude to her mother on Instagram, sharing a throwback family photo. She wrote, “12 years ago, my mom gave my dad a kidney, and I could not be more grateful for her gift and bravery. She is the most amazing woman I know, and I will never be able to thank her enough.”
Their daughter, who is also an actress, mentioned that her mother gave her the priceless gift of a healthy father during her childhood, which she considered the greatest gift.
Despite Ann Serrano’s selfless act for George Lopez, he was unfaithful to her. Ann revealed in an interview that George started acting out six years into their marriage.
At that time, their daughter Mayan was only three years old, and Ann wanted her to have a relationship with her father. After reassessing their relationship, the couple decided to go to therapy together, with George also committing to individual counseling. Ann noted that he took it “very seriously and became a better man.”
She warned him that if it happened again, their marriage would be over. Sadly, history repeated itself, and this time it became public when Ann discovered his cheating through tabloids.
“It was a pretty devastating way to find out. Your husband is living a double life, basically. So, I decided I could not tolerate that, and I chose to divorce him,” Ann revealed.
George openly talked about their breakup in another interview, admitting the criticism he faced after their divorce.
He acknowledged that he deserved the backlash, especially since Ann had given him the “gift of life” by donating her kidney.
When asked if Ann ever wanted her kidney back, George confirmed that it had been mentioned during their rough patches. He also reflected on his upbringing, admitting he lacked the necessary tools to be a supportive partner.
The couple separated in November 2010 after 17 years of marriage, finalizing their divorce in July 2011. Their split was reportedly drama-free.
In a joint statement, they said their decision was mutual and amicable, emphasizing their commitment as parents, business partners, and co-founders of the Lopez Foundation.
At 15, their daughter was significantly impacted by the divorce. In a November 2022 interview, she shared how challenging it was as a teenager, saying, “Having it be so public made it much more difficult.”
She added, “You read these headlines, and people often forget that there’s a family behind those headlines.” Reflecting on the aftermath, she mentioned, “It’s been like 11 years since my parents divorced… I think the longest I didn’t speak to my dad was almost three-and-a-half years because it was just painful. Time was really the biggest healer.”
Years later, in a TikTok video with both parents, Mayan boldly asked who ended their marriage. Her mother jokingly pointed at her father, saying, “Your dad didn’t realize you have to stop dating other people when you get married.”
Mayan also asked if they still loved each other. Her mother replied, “Yeah, I love you,” while looking at George. She added, “He’s the father of my child, my husband, and my friend,” as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Despite their painful past, Ann and George Lopez have maintained a strong bond as they co-parent and support one another. Their story is one of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family love.
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