John Otway in conversation with David Eastaugh
Otway was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Although his first single, "Gypsy"/"Misty Mountain" was released in 1972, Otway initially received some coverage on the back of punk rock and a performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.[2] His sixth single, the half-spoken love song "Really Free" reached number 27 in the UK Singles Chart in 1977.[3] It would be his greatest success for some time. The song earned him a five-album deal with Polydor Records, who viewed him as a punk rather than merely an eccentric. His first album, recorded with Wild Willy Barrett, was produced by Pete Townshend but sold only fitfully