They say failure has it’s rewards... well, it’s certainly kept one man firmly in the spotlight for 35 years.

In the midst of Britain’s ’70s punk revolution, Cor Baby That’s Really Free broke the Top 40 singles charts, but it’s been a real rollercoaster ride for cult rocker John Otway ever since, to say the least!

So, in his own inimitable style, rock ’n’ roll’s (self-dubbed) ‘greatest failure’ decided to celebrate himself by producing, and starring in, his own fan-funded feature film.

Having made cinema history by premiering the producer’s cut – at London’s Leicester Square Odeon – before the final scene was even completed, Otway then set his sights on a theatrical release at Glastonbury (during the Rolling Stones’ set) before (finally) receiving the critical acclaim he deserves at the Cannes Film Festival.

And, last week, a sold-out audience of die-hard fans finally got to see this mini-masterpiece screened in Oxford – I was even lucky enough to receive a personal commentary throughout from the man himself over my left shoulder.

It’s basically a 97-minute instructional video on survival in the music industry – in short, how John got it all wrong, but oh so very right too!

Otway’s the first to admit that his career has been a complete comedy of errors, but what this homage reveals (in some quite poignant moments) is that actually the man is a true industry innovator and should be an inspiration to us all to steadfastly continue to follow our dreams – in whatever walk of life – despite all the odds.

Otway The Movie continues to tour the UK until November. But, if you missed John’s visit to our city, fear not. You can still enjoy his (quite frankly unbelievable if it weren’t true) story through one of his books. I’d recommend getting stuck into his official autobiography, Cor Baby, That’s Really Me!

A series of dreadful decisions, financial blunders and bad records left Otway down but not out. This is his story in his own words and it makes compulsive reading. It is available now from johnotway.com