About this Event

1969 not only marked the last year of the swinging sixties, it was also one of the most significant years in the history of the twentieth century. Richard Nixon is sworn in as President of the United States, a jumbo jet makes its first ever flight whilst the first test flight of Concorde is also conducted, and Neil Armstrong made one small step for man and a giant leap for mankind. In music, 1969 was no less significant. Led Zeppelin released their debut album, The Rolling Stones hold their infamous free concert at Altamont Speedway and a small town in New York State holds what is to become the mother of all festivals - Woodstock. Meanwhile, back in the UK, The Beatles are playing their last ever public performance from the roof of Apple Records, a young John Otway plays his first ever gig to a group of fellow musicians in the Aylesbury Youth Orchestra. It was a moment that would have a profound affect on the teenage Otway.



Having dreamt of being a pop star since the age of 9, this performance proved to Otway that he could entertain a crowd and confirmed to him that he would be a star. Fifty years later, Otway is still going strong and remains one of the best loved and respected singer-songwriters of his era. Considered a punk icon by many, a national treasure by some and once described as “the true spirit of punk” by his peers, Otway has continued to entertain audiences with the same anarchistic enthusiasm since those first tentative steps on to path of rock n roll stardom in 1969.



On Sunday 15 December, Otway returns to The Bullingdon with his band to celebrate 50 years of performing live.