IF image is everything, it’s still hard to believe that Gilbert O’Sullivan can look back with satisfaction on a musical career spanning more than 40 years.

Even he admits that his own choice of ‘Bisto Kid’ chic around 1969 – pudding bowl haircut, flat cap, hobnail boots and short pants – was immensely unpopular with the music bosses he was hoping would make him a star.

But two number ones, 10 top ten singles and four hit albums later, it was Gilbert having the last laugh.

Despite his hits being sandwiched between the glam rockers of Sweet and Slade and the novelty hits of Little Jimmy Osmond, Chuck Berry and Lieutenant Pigeon, Gilbert still stood out like a sore thumb.

“I was always adamant about wanting to use the image and I was never put off, even though so many people didn’t like it,” he said. “But it was all superficial, because it was all about the music and the songs.

“The Beatles came out in 1962 with great songs and didn’t need the haircuts and the collarless jackets, so that left a big imprint on me.”

It was his songwriting talent that brought him to the attention of Gordon Mills, creator of the new MAM record label and the man behind Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.

Mills too was no fan of the image, but respected his artist’s wishes before the grey flannel was eventually jettisoned as the hits kept coming, both in the UK and in America, where three million record sales brought him TV appearances with Dean Martin and Sonny & Cher.

Mills was not only Gilbert’s producer and record company boss, but was also one of his closest friends.

Indeed, his chart-topping 1972 ballad Clair was penned for Mills’ daughter, for whom he used to babysit, but the relationship soured in the mid-70s, resulting in a gruelling multi-million pound court case over copyright and recording control, eventually won by the singer.

“It was the unfortunate end of a very good relationship,” admits Gilbert. “I wanted to work with other producers and Gordon didn’t like that. I felt it was a promise that was reneged on. I wasn’t looking for money, or to destroy MAM. I just wanted what was promised to me.”

The proceedings may have sapped his energy and creativity, but there were still albums to come during the early 80s, although a move to Jersey in 1980 with new Norwegian wife Aase and the arrival of first daughter Helen-Marie heralded a decade of battery-recharging.

The hits may have dried up, but the albums and live performances haven’t – he aims for a new album every two or three years and an accompanying tour – and he’ll be bringing his 11-piece band to the Bournemouth Pavilion this Friday, November 11 for a two-and-a-half hour show that will prove his imminent 65th birthday in December certainly hasn’t slowed him up.

Now it’s the songwriting that matters and while he loves to meet the fans who clearly have a close affinity with the Irish-born singer, he’s happiest at home in Jersey, knuckling down to practise and write from nine till five, five days a week, four weeks a month.

But he’s not a writer living in the past, listening to all pop music and professing his admiration for the likes of Lady Gaga, as much for their production values as their writing skills.

“You have to like what’s going on around you to be a contemporary artist and you have to see if you can learn from them. Great music coming out of the radio inspires you to write your own great songs.”

Although he’s chatty and outgoing over the phone, Gilbert admits he’s not one for the celebrity lifestyle.

“I’m not a great socialiser. My wife has made lots of friends over here, but she’s known as the lady without a husband because she goes to all these nice events on her own! I love my normal life.”

Mr Kyps brings Gilbert O’Sullivan to the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth on Friday, November 11. Tickets are available via mrkyps.net

Factfile

Born December 1, 1946 in Waterford, Ireland and the family moved to Swindon in 1953.

At school, he developed an interest in music, but also boxing and had 50 bouts.

He signed a five-year contract with CBS in 1967, developed his ‘Bisto Kid’ image in 1969 and had his first top ten hit with Nothin’ Rhymed in 1970 with Gordon Mills’ MAM label and Clair and Get Down were consecutive number one hits in 1972 and 1973.

After the MAM legal battle, he was in court again in 1991, to sue American rapper Biz Markie over his unauthorized sample of Alone Again (Naturally).

He has developed a fan base in Japan, where he tours regularly and his latest album Gilbertville was released in January this year.

He’s married with two daughters and lives in the Channel Islands.