John Otway is an English singer-songwriter who has built a sizeable cult audience through extensive touring, a surreal sense of humour and a self-deprecating underdog persona - and he's back to play Bedford this Friday night (March 31).
From nine years of age John knew he wanted to be a pop star.
But even then, having listened to his sister's Beatles and Stones records, he knew he would never be able to do what they do.
And then his sister got the latest Bob Dylan album, and he knew there was a place for him and set about learning how to play guitar.
A visit to a fortune teller would have a profound effect on the young Otway.
After gazing into her crystal ball, she confirmed that Otway would indeed be a star and would have success with a blonde-haired musician. Otway took this prediction very seriously and teamed up with Wild Willy Barrett (the only musician he knew who fitted the fortune teller's description).
In 1972, the pair released their first single. Gypsy/Misty Mountain was a dedication to the fortune teller who had assured Otway that fame and stardom was just around the corner.
The single would be the first of a string of flops, but it did capture the attention of The Who's Pete Townshend who offered to produce a number of tracks for the duo...
Support for the Bedford date is yet to be announced.
Tickets available here
