My first introduction to John was around 1986-87 i think it 2as the 2nd run of the run of the legendary British comedy The young ones and he played body talk with guy on a Telecaster, it sounded brilliant and me and my mate were in bit.
Saw this guy last night in Colchester for the umpteenth time.He's approaching 70 and his 5000th gig.Treat yourself and go and see this punk icon while you can.There will never be another.
In 1979 (when I was 19), I went along with 4 or 5 friends to a show at the (700 seat approx) Roxy Theater in Pacific Beach (San Diego). John Otway opened for Pere Abu and I had no idea who he was. I remember asking one of my friends who Otway was and he responded "You know, John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett." That was really helpful. Over the decades, I've re-remembered that experience many, many times and decided it was the best gig I ever attended in that late 70s/early 80s time period. Pere Ubu and Otway did two shows that night and we went along to the second one... at which the 5 or 6 of us were at least half the audience. The small theater was basically empty. John Otway couldn't have cared less (or at least he came across that way)! He was magnificent, especially for his musical version of "The Highwayman." I remember him leaping off the stage... "As the highwayman came riding -- riding -- riding!", dark hair and white shirt flying in the dark empty theater as he ran up the aisle to where we were sitting two-thirds of the way to the back while delivering those dramatic lines before returning to the stage. He must have had an incredibly long mic cord (or maybe he just dropped the mic when he ran out of cord). I couldn't get over what a show he put on to a virtually empty theater. Pere Ubu, on the other hand, were completely and embarrassingly, bent out of joint and couldn't stop complaining (and belittling the people who actually showed up) between songs. I remember wishing that us 12 people (or less!) in that theater had boo-ed them off the stage and demanded Otway come back. Otway would have performed for a much larger audience that night if the headliner hadn't been Pere Ubu but his performance might not have been half so fantastic.
I saw him at the oval pub in London years ago and he threw up a sm58 microphone and whacked it with his Gibson sg over our heads,,, absolutely brilliant 😎 I'm in Ireland but will try to make it for his 70th in Skegness 30th September
..a failure..? John your performance with Wild Willy on the Old Grey was up there with early Bowie, The Small Faces, Blondie.. You were an inspiration. That question, if you could make a 30 second phone call to your young self.. certainly got me thinking.. Good luck with whatever you are doing these days and great to see and hear from you, again.
I'd like to contact john and Willy? I believe they are ripe for the Ghetto bienale! An arts festival in the lovely slums of Puerto prinz in Haiti.. great selection of international artists and locals alike. The beautiful hotel Olafsen is a supportive oasis and Hemingway to the stones are among the guests. it's only one of the venues. It's a very special place and the event is founded by my friend Leahgordon.. The prolific sculptors of the gran rue are a mind blowing mix of Haitian voudou and found objects The carnival is amazing and the Ra ra bands and rum entrance. Arte oouzes from every hand. John Otway is a fan of the carribean already? Haitians are a force of nature and like Otway freedom and an anarchic streak Check out the ghetto bienale online, see Leah Gordon's films
I love this guy. Doesn’t take himself seriously and has such passion and energy.
My first introduction to John was around 1986-87 i think it 2as the 2nd run of the run of the legendary British comedy The young ones and he played body talk with guy on a Telecaster, it sounded brilliant and me and my mate were in bit.
Used to watch John ( & Willy ) down the Rochester Castle in Hackney, how you didn't seriously hurt yourself is beyond me. Loved every minute of it.
Saw this guy last night in Colchester for the umpteenth time.He's approaching 70 and his 5000th gig.Treat yourself and go and see this punk icon while you can.There will never be another.
He's a national treasure - as you say there will never be another - Here's to gig 5000 in London in April.
More punk than most punk bandz
Class, he did it Otway!
On the whiskey here!
@@harrymacintyregood man, single malt or blend
what an infectiously positive person!
He's fab isn't he. Glad that came across.
@@Britclip the world definitely needs lore like him!
I have always loved this man.
In 1979 (when I was 19), I went along with 4 or 5 friends to a show at the (700 seat approx) Roxy Theater in Pacific Beach (San Diego). John Otway opened for Pere Abu and I had no idea who he was. I remember asking one of my friends who Otway was and he responded "You know, John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett." That was really helpful. Over the decades, I've re-remembered that experience many, many times and decided it was the best gig I ever attended in that late 70s/early 80s time period. Pere Ubu and Otway did two shows that night and we went along to the second one... at which the 5 or 6 of us were at least half the audience. The small theater was basically empty. John Otway couldn't have cared less (or at least he came across that way)! He was magnificent, especially for his musical version of "The Highwayman." I remember him leaping off the stage... "As the highwayman came riding -- riding -- riding!", dark hair and white shirt flying in the dark empty theater as he ran up the aisle to where we were sitting two-thirds of the way to the back while delivering those dramatic lines before returning to the stage. He must have had an incredibly long mic cord (or maybe he just dropped the mic when he ran out of cord). I couldn't get over what a show he put on to a virtually empty theater. Pere Ubu, on the other hand, were completely and embarrassingly, bent out of joint and couldn't stop complaining (and belittling the people who actually showed up) between songs. I remember wishing that us 12 people (or less!) in that theater had boo-ed them off the stage and demanded Otway come back. Otway would have performed for a much larger audience that night if the headliner hadn't been Pere Ubu but his performance might not have been half so fantastic.
Great story - thank you for sharing it.
I saw him at the oval pub in London years ago and he threw up a sm58 microphone and whacked it with his Gibson sg over our heads,,, absolutely brilliant 😎 I'm in Ireland but will try to make it for his 70th in Skegness 30th September
Good to hear your story Brian - he is certainly a one-off. Skegness sounds fun.
Only the greatest two-hit wonder in music history!! 😲
Agreed.
I was going to say "Otway ... brilliant", but someone 4 months before me said that. So now I'm just speechless.
This video should have been much longer!
I have another one planned soon.
Hes so beautiful
..a failure..? John your performance with Wild Willy on the Old Grey was up there with early Bowie, The Small Faces, Blondie..
You were an inspiration. That question, if you could make a 30 second phone call to your young self.. certainly got me thinking.. Good luck with whatever you are doing these days and great to see and hear from you, again.
Thanks for your comment, Harry. He's a national treasure really.
Fabulous!!! Love you John
Used to watch him and wild Willy Barr at on the London pubs circuit, brilliant
John is the best!!
I'd like to contact john and Willy?
I believe they are ripe for the Ghetto bienale!
An arts festival in the lovely slums of Puerto prinz in Haiti.. great selection of international artists and locals alike.
The beautiful hotel Olafsen is a supportive oasis and Hemingway to the stones are among the guests. it's only one of the venues.
It's a very special place and the event is founded by my friend Leahgordon..
The prolific sculptors of the gran rue are a mind blowing mix of Haitian voudou and found objects
The carnival is amazing and the Ra ra bands and rum entrance.
Arte oouzes from every hand.
John Otway is a fan of the carribean already?
Haitians are a force of nature and like Otway freedom and an anarchic streak
Check out the ghetto bienale online, see Leah Gordon's films
Brilliant
Love it! Brilliant.
Bless ya John :)
Didn’t know he’s still alive. My dad is a big fan of him.
Genius
I agree.
House of the rising sun