His masters' voices: Pete Wylie and Paul McGann in city lectures

TWO of the greatest names in Liverpool's pantheon of pop music and acting – Pete Wylie and Paul McGann – are to present free masterclasses in the city next week.

Wylie, the man who gave the world The Story Of The Blues - and, with Heart As Big As Liverpool, gave the People's Republic of Merseyside the nearest thing to a national anthem, will speak and sing at Liverpool John Moores University. 

The lectures are primarily for students, but a limited number of tickets are available to the public on a first-come basis and are bound to be snapped up fast.

Paul McGann:  From Doctor to Master

Liverpool would be a far duller place without the likes of Wylie who penned the controversial – though perhaps not in these parts – The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies. This year he has taken an active part in the Justice Tonight tour, raising money for the victims and families of the Hillsborough disaster. He is also an active member of the Twitter community, describing himself, with possibly no irony intended, as “Part Time Rock Star. Full Time Legend”.

The Mighty Wah! man will discuss his career with LJMU historian David Clampin and perform acoustic versions of some of his most famous songs.

Appropriately entitled A Heart As Big As Liverpool, the event, at the university's Johnson Foundation Auditorium in Duckinfeld Street next Thursday, is followed by a Q and A.

The series of masterclasses organised by LJMU begins on Tuesday with celebrated Liverpool actor Paul McGann.

A member of the city's famous acting brothers, the 52-year-old has an illustrious list of acting credits to his name including The Monocled Mutineer. He secured a much sought after place at RADA straight out of Cardinal Allen and has never looked back.

McGann, who is probably best known for his role opposite Richard E. Grant in the cult film, Withnail and I, will talks about his career in conversation with historian Professor Frank McDonough, and will take questions afterwards.