Gilbert O'Sullivan was born Raymond Edward O'Sullivan on 1st December 1946 in Waterford in Ireland. His father worked in a meat factory while his mother ran a sweet shop. In 1958 at the age of 11 he moved with his family to Swindon in England in search of a better life. He attended St. Joseph's Comprehensive school in Swindon. While there he developed an interest in both music and amateur boxing. Musically he began with the guitar and progressed to the piano.
