Born October 2, 1952, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. John Otway, self-proclaimed as 'Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure', began his assault on the music industry in the mid-1970's in partnership with one 'Wild Willy' Barrett. They reached Number 27 in 1977 with the single 'Cor Baby, That's Really Free' but Otway's most remembered for accidentally crushing his 'crown jewels' on an amplifier whilst performing a cover of the Bob Lind song 'Cheryl's Going Home' live on the BBC's 'Old Grey Whistle Test'. Aside from numerous 'on/off' stints with Barrett he has also collaborated with Attila The Stockbroker and has gained a hardcore following performing as a solo artist and also with his 'Big Band'. Some 25 years after the 'Hit' he achieved his second (and highest charting) hit with 'Bunsen Burner' (straight in at Number 9) which was achieved via a Social Media campaign and the incredible support of his fan base. In 2013 Otway premiered his biopic 'Otway - The Movie' at the Odeon, Leicester Square, which was received with critical acclaim by the media. Ever the one for clever ways to sell his records Otway has tried them all (with varying degrees of success and failure) from releasing singles without vocals to circulating discs with counterfeit WEA labels to using the sleeves as free entry to gigs. Add to this the huge deposit paid (and lost) to hire a jet to take his fans on a World Tour that never got off the ground and two autobiographies and you have a remarkable career of more than 40 years that defies belief!
The John Otway Band
New Cross Inn, London, Great Britain
The Undertones Plus Special Guest John Otway
Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne, Great Britain
2024
Red Bowler Records
CD, Album, Gat
2017
2014
Not On Label (John Otway Self-released)
CD, Comp
2014
Not On Label (John Otway Self-released)
CD, Maxi
2013
2011
Not On Label (John Otway Self-released)
CD, Comp
2008
Living Beat
File, MP3, Single
2008
Message Parlour Records
CD, EP
2007
Living Beat
DVD, Comp, PAL
2007
2006
Not On Label
DVD, Ltd
2006
Amazing Feet Records
CD, Comp
2006
Microstar (2)
2xCD, Comp
2004
Microstar (2)
CD, Album
2004
Cherry Red Films
DVD
2003
Not On Label (John Otway Self-released)
3xCD, Comp
2002
U-Vibe
CD, Comp
2002
U-Vibe
CDr, CD-ROM, Comp
2002
2002
2000
Otway Records
CD, Album, Enh
1999
Otway Records
CD, EP
1998
Not On Label
CD, Comp, Promo
1998
The Music Corporation
CD, Comp
1996
1995
Strike Back Records
CD, EP
1995
1993
Amazing Feet Records
CD, Album
1993
Not On Label
VHS, PAL
1993
1992
John Otway Records
CD, Maxi
1992
1991
Strike Back Records
7", Single
1991
Not On Label (John Otway Self-released)
Cass, Album
1991
1990
Strike Back Films
VHS, Album, PAL
1990
1989
VM Records
LP, Album
1987
WEA
7", Single
1987
VM Records
7", Single
1986
Not On Label
VHS, P/Mixed, PAL
1986
1986
1985
Not On Label
2xCass, Comp
1983
Empire Records (13)
7", Single, Gre
1983
1982
Empire Records (13)
LP, Album
1982
Empire Records (13)
7", Single
1982
1981
1981
1981
1981
1980
Polydor, Polydor
7", Single
1980
Stiff Records
7", EP, M/Print
1980
1980
1980
1980
1980
1979
1979
1978
1978
1978
1977
1977
1977
1977
1976
Track Record
7", Single
1976
Viking Records (10)
7", Single
1973
1972
County Recording Service, County Recording Service
7", Single, Mono
1972
Not On Label
Acetate, 7", S/Sided
1997
1992
2024
2017
Rush Release (3)
CD, Album
2016
2015
Not On Label (The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain Self-released)
CD, Album
2014
2012
BBC Worldwide, Rhino Records (2)
3xCD, Comp
2008
Cherry Red
8xCD, Comp + Box
2007
Not On Label
2xDVD-V, Ltd, PAL
2006
Instant Karma
CD, Promo
2005
2004
Rotator
CD, Single
2003
Chic Ken
2xCD, Comp
1993
1988
Roundblack Records
7", Single
1988
Roundblack Records
7", Promo
1987
Fulchester Records
7", Single
1985
1984
1983
1981
Black Eye
LP
1981
A&M Records
LP, Album, Promo, Smplr
1981
1980
1980
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The John Otway Band
New Cross Inn, London, Great Britain
The Undertones Plus Special Guest John Otway
Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne, Great Britain