IN 2012, to celebrate his 60th birthday, John Otway produced his debut movie titled Otway the Movie: The Story of Rock n Roll’s Greatest Failure. It was subsequently voted the second best film of the year in a poll conducted by The Guardian. Two years ago, the legend behind the 1977 half-spoken love song Really Free, announced that he was recording a new album. The result was Montserrat - the first album of entirely new and original Otway material in over ten years. After more than 40 years, the veteran wannabe pop star has lost none of his energy and never fails to bring the house down. And on Friday, December 7 (7.45pm), he's centre stage at the next Ulverston Live gig at the Sports and Leisure Club, on Priory Road.

From the age of nine, John knew he wanted to be a pop star. However, he had to wait until 1977 and the rise of punk before his dream of fame and fortune would finally become a reality. Having caught the eye of the producers of the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test, John's performance on that show would grab the attention of the watching audience. Otway, ever the showman, decided to jump on to the amplifier of his colleague during a performance of Bob Lind's Cheryl's Going Home. John misjudged his leap and sent Wild Willy Barrett’s amplifier tumbling as he crashed down straddling the box under the amp. John was the talk of everyone who watched the programme.

Not only did he see a surge in his audiences, Really Free reached number 27 in the UK singles chart. There was an appearance on Top of the Pops, where Otway and Barrett were introduced by Elton John. John was finally a star. Despite numerous attempts, he would have to wait until 2002 for his next taste of chart success: the disco pastiche Bunsen Burner and a second appearance on the Top of the Pops. Tickets at the door or available on 07749-827488.