John Otway to bring music and laughs to Oxford's Jericho Tavern

But while undeniably amusing, that’s not quite true. How many other artists are still stomping the stage half a century into their careers? The self-styled ‘two hit wonder’ may have just turned 70, but he has the kind of energy many whippersnapper rockers could only dream of.

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While a native of neighbouring Bucks, it was here in Oxford that he honed his craft. And it is here, this weekend, that he celebrates the start of the festive season by playing the finale to the Oxford City Festival.

Tomorrow (Sunday, December 4), John headlines the final show of the annual grassroots music extravaganza staged by legendary Oxford musician and promoter Mark ‘ Osprey’ O’Brien.

“John’s an absolute star!” says Osprey while at work in his kitchen, chopping and slicing the ingredients for what promises to be a spectacular Thai prawn curry.

“No one puts on a show like Otway,” he goes on. “He is relentless; he is full of energy, has some great tunes and is very, very funny. It’s great music but also great humour. And he is a big part of Oxford’s musical history.”

Mark Osprey and the OX4 All Stars - and friends - pictured on the roof of the Zodiac. Picture by Ed Nix

Some of Otway’s earliest gigs were at the former Oranges and Lemons pub in St Clements and he still plays Oxford every May Morning in the courtyard behind The Bear. As does Osprey, who despite being an Oxford stalwart, was born and raised in Middlesbrough.

The show brings to an end two weeks of the Oxford City Festival.

“Otway is the perfect way to end the festival,” he says. “And if you’ve seen him before, you’ll know what a treat we’ve got in store.”

Otway’s story really began in the midst of the 70s punk revolution, when his single Cor Baby That’s Really Free broke the Top 40 singles charts. A master of self-promotion, he produced and stared in his own fan-funded feature film, premiered at London’s Leicester Square and taken to the Cannes Film Festival.

John Otway and band play The Bear in Oxford on May Morning. Picture: Tim Hughes

Those same fans helped John find a second hit, with Bunsen Burner reaching number nine in 2002 following a campaign to get him a second hit for his 50th birthday. This year his slow-burning efforts were rewarded with an Honorary PhD in Music by Oxford Brookes University.

After the ceremony, John said: “I was really thrilled to be awarded this totally unexpected honour, especially as I failed all my A levels as I decided to concentrate on preparing for my burgeoning career as a rock star. To get this from Oxford Brookes 50 years later, shows I did the right thing. And I did have some further education in Oxford in the 1970s – my learning was at a pub in St Clements, The Oranges and Lemons performing my embryonic act over 50 times in 12 months. In that short time I went from playing to 20 people in the pub to having a hit record. I haven’t done a sensible day’s work since.”

He returns with long-suffering sidekick and roadie ‘Deadly’ David Crabtree, from Eynsham.

“We’ve always done a Christmas gig with John – and , of course, Deadly,” Osprey laughs. “You’re always sure of a brilliant night.”

Support comes from Barricane and Captain Kuppa T & The Zeppelin Crew.

But that’s not the only Christmas cracker Osprey has up his seasonal sleeve.

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On December 9, he presents the ultimate Oxford music scene festive bash – The Good People’s Christmas Ball. The one-night festival at Cowley Workers Social Club, features Beard Of Destiny, The Gees, Emma Hunter, The Mighty Redox, Barricane, Osmosis and DJs Dusty Styles, Art Lagun and Chris Hall.

Tickets for John Otway at the Jericho Tavern (tomorrow, Sunday December 4) and the Good Peoples’ Christmas Ball at Cowley Workers Social Club (On December 9,) from wegottickets.com