Alan Johnson: Failed Rock Star - Episode 5

Ex Home Secretary Alan Johnson goes in search of the life he thought he nearly had: as a rock star. In the 1960s Alan Johnson was in a band ("The Area") that cut a single but couldn't get it released. He gave music up for a career that took him from Postman to Union Leader to The Cabinet. So what has he missed out on? Does the fame of being a senior government minister compare in any way with that of being in a successful band. In this series he meets five people who tasted the fame he craved. Each of the warm and engaging interviews reveal something different about life in music and the truth behind the myths. In the final episode Alan takes his only copy of The Area's crackly 7 inch single to a state-of-the art modern studio to get the verdict of Roxy Music guitarist, and now studio owner, Phil Manzanera. Alan learns how the industry has changed since he tried his luck and gets an informed opinion on the quality of his music from Phil and Phil's engineer who just happens to be Alan's son Jamie.