Millions for pop star

Press, 8 May 1982, Page 13

Millions for pop star

NZPA London Pop star, Gilbert O’Sullivan, whose songs include “Alone Again” and "Claire,” has won a fortune from the man who gave him $23.30 a week pocket money while his records made millions. A judge ordered Gordon Mills, O’Sullivan's manager, to pay back the money which the singer unwittingly signed away at the height of his

success, the London “Sun” said. The High Court in London heard that O’Sullivan hero-worshipped Mills because he handled stars such as Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. Because he trusted Mills, he signed agreements with his manager without question, reported the “Sun.” In an eight-year period when his records made $33.8

million. all O'Sullivan received was $1,160,000 before tax. The judge declared the agreements signed by O'Sullivan void and unenforceable because they were “oppressive and an unreasonable restraint on trade.” He ordered an inquiry to find out how much profit was made out of the agreements and expected the figure to run into millions which would go to O’Sullivan.