he did a sociology course whilst doing time in Leicester prison. his mentor was a sociologist called Laurie Taylor who met up with McVicar on his release and asked him to show him around London's underworld and introduce him to some of the major players on the scene. there was a resulting book titled 'in the underworld'. worth a read
I grew up watching the Roger Daltrey movie but this is the first time I've seen the real man. He is articulate and intelligent, with some first-hand knowledge. Interesting.
Mc Vicar was one of the first professional criminals to get a degree while he was inside then went on to write a book about his experiences he was regarded as a seriously heavy geezer despite his supposedly middle class background and is now regarded as a serious criminologist who actually knew most of the famous faces
@@SirPeter6464 i really don't think your parents having a shop is the same as having every thing you want. It's certainly better off than many but it's hardly living the dream for any young fella with a bit of spirit all young people want more no matter what they have
Could listen to this man all day.⭐️ He is great narrator and someone.Who is spot on in his assertions.No glamour,or,swagger.Smooth operator then and now ⭐️
Can only judge them as you find them, I spoke to him about something once and he took the time with me and showed respect when others may not have. From the conversation we had it is hard to believe some of these negative comments on here however I have only spoken with him that one time.
I watched the "Mcvicar" film and it was a really good story. Looking at the real man in Liams interview, i can see this man can change in a second. He can be nice and polite and look intellectual, but don not take this as a weakness as you would see the real Mc vicar
Spent some time with him - he didn't like to talk about his past - even went to Longleat with him where he played chess with the Marquess of Bath - he was living with a Countess at the time - very private man
@@LiamGalvinFilmwhy did you put that picture of him in the thumb nail ? Why would you do that , I see you differently for it. That's no mistake. People like you, warcry publishing, Steven Wraith, a certain type of creep
It's funny how everybody says Fraser Tels lies. I have followed this stuff for ages and nearly everything he said ended up being true. Other villains didn't like the fact he spoke his mind about things and didn't care about consequences. You'd think they of all people would know. He never claimed to be the hardest man in the world but he was a dangerous little bastard. People running him down when he's 90 etc lol he did 42 years in jail (nearly all in solitary) and you've to be solid to survive that, never mind gangland assassination attempts against him when he's 70 odd. Like John said, people like Fraser are very very rare hence why he was lionised in jail etc
I used to like Frank Fraser because he sounded identical to my grandfather. Non criminal but with a similar mindset. A lot older but maybe a product of a time and a place.
McVicar was never a humble person, not ever. But he had street cred and made sense and was once gifted. Now he seems to be on a fucking ego trip, just as Frankie Fraser was. He may be more articulate than Fraser, but is equally as guilty of trying to get attention through saying things that don't ring true.
liam whitcombe Think his intellect,makes him sound aloof at times.? Just his nuance and descriptive narrative.I think ,He is an intelligent man and isn't disrespectful here in his assertion.Truth maybe is people will always be fascinated by crime.Ironic,yes,Nevertheless honest and I respect that.👌🏽
liam whitcombe all them that are boasters,load braggarts are looked down on unless they got a bit ov charisma ,loud criminals are taken as untrustworthy, attention seekers which is not good for illegal business,Can be very political the criminal seen gossip etc,all you have is a rep.
Emerging from a hospital visit to a relative in the 1990s , reformed hardman John and his young married son found their car blocked by a minicab driver who said, "I'll be going soon when my fare comes out." John asked him nicely to just move a few feet but the bad attitude eejit wouldn't budge. So John's son said, "Move now or we'll move you!!" John asked his son to keep calm, but the fat cabbie just sat there, so John's son reached in, knocked him out, shoved him over, and moved the cab, then said, "Dad, you know that's the only true language that thickos understand."
Forward to 2022. He`s gone now, after a heart attack. I recall the time he caught linford christies brother, russell, breaking into his home in Battersea, he chased and caught him, and gave him a good hiding. Nowadays our social worker coppers, would have been onto McVicar in a flash in our pro diversity times. Last time i read about McV he was working in the media and in a stable relationship and home. But died skint in a caravan in Essex yesterday.
Lee Wilson He was a fucking mug he only made money because of the blaggers who took him grafting same with his prison break Wally Probin was the brains behind that!
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GRAFTER AND A GANGSTER IS EVIDENT, GANGSTERS ARE LIKE ACTORS, THEY LOVE THE SHOW, WORKERS TRY TO STAY OUT OF THE LIGHT. NEITHER IS LESS DANGEROUS THAN THE OTHER. UNTILL THEY GET IN THE POLICE STATION, THEN YOU FIND OUT A MANS LOYALTY.
Wow 😳 John McVicar is a hero of mine because he helped me to help young offenders ( aged 16 to 21 ) when I was working on IT 😲 Intermediate Treatment . Nothing to do with the modern use of the term . Bloody hard work for the young woman I was at the time .
I did i.t in ossett west Yorkshire in early 80s and honestly was the best time of my life , went off the rails a bit afterwards but behaved myself since 87/88 wouldn't change an hour of my life though
John Mc Vicar living legend.Sad that John didn’t get a helping hand into legit business ventures lost a lot of his life to prison walked a tough road.Life is tough enough without prison who needs it.
@@rogerdodger1790 Good answer it’s true what I mean is he is a intelligent man who lost a lot of years doing the wrong thing.Anything I’ve got is from 4 decades working as a nurse it’s affected my health but there is pride self satisfaction from honest money helping others.
John McVicar was at one time a Professional Criminal..A armed Bank Robber,got caught,went to Prison,broke out,but ended up back there and served his time... And while he was in prison 'Serving his debt to society'(as the say) he studied and obtained some Academic qualifications.👍. .But he really fell on his feet,when Roger Daltrey( from 'The Who' & A fellow West Londoner) decided to make a Movie about him around 1981 I think? called 'McVicar'..The Movie was fairly decent & it had a really good soundtrack! .So with all that said,he certainly was no heroic ' Robin Hood' type character! ' Robin Banks' maybe!. And was brought up in the E.End of London and thankfully never got dragged or enticed in2 this way of life( buy it could have easily have happened!) And I've met many an character like him!..Sometimes they could be half decent company,amusing,often really good talkers&raconteurs,but as long as you soon realised that's all it was,just talk& not a great deal of substance! And most importantly you couldn't trust them! .So maybe some Former Criminals came out of the 'Clink & and managed to keep their noses clean,gain employment,hold a job down etc,(and maybe even write a book) but their basic character flaws can often still remain or maybe just become 'watered down' ( just alittle) so not all 'have seen the light' or have had some kind of epiphany! And just like many Politicians,they've just learned to conceal their behavior& true personalities better!
@@suzyqualcast6269 Afraid not,who was he?..And looking at this Essay of mine now,I must have been bored or still getting used to using YT? ( which I hadn't bothered with until 2017) because I have no idea why I typed such an mouthful?
To my mind Frazers power comes from his mastery of deceit... watch a video of him. He will tell a known lie and calmly recall the date and time. The weather and who was there ..... he knows he is lying yet continues to elaborate... compulsive sociopath
Fraser was more famous as a gangster after he was released than he ever was before he went away. He realised he could make a few quid by playing up to the myth he had created for himself the whole thing about carrying a pair of gold dentist pliers was something he made up after his first book sold well. When I was young he was well known around the elephant and the walworth road he probably knew people in other parts of town but he was never famous all this came about in the eighties when every ex con gangster doorman football hooligan and unlicensed fighter started turning out autobiographies you couldn't turn on the telly without seeing some celebrity gangster. I lived in Bermondsey but I'd never heard of Dave courtney until they done a programme about him and he started appearing on chat shows and writing books. But I don't blame any of them for taking advantage of an opportunity to earn money; that's what criminals do especially if they don't have to put themselves on offer. You can make more form book sales than most people get from a blag and the only person you have to give any to is your agent you haven't got to split the lot three or four ways nor do you have to be careful not to be seen spending loads of cash. Course they're going to jump on the band wagon true crime biographies are a popular genre they'd be silly not to cash in
o.m.g its obvious john is an intelligent guy. just shows how people can just go off on a tangent. ive always thought this ive sometimes pictured scenarios of members of my family coming to harm and me going beserk .i think we all walk a tight rope of which we have little control.destiny luck fate or what ever plays a massive part in our outcomes in life.glad johns life has turned a corner i actually believe it could of been a normal life under different circumstances life is that strange
Love Roger Daltrey, the Who and their films. But clearly this a far more articulate and intelligent man than he was portrayed to be in the movie. He did bad things in the distant past, but is clearly a different person now!
Very intelligent guy, who decided to educate himself and turn things around. As someone has already pointed he does not glory in his past. A credit to himself.
My uncle was a very bad man and sucessful gangster in the mid 70's in South London Nobody has ever heard of him.That why he was sucessfull.R.I.P. uncle Roger !
+Jack Carter You missed my point sir.He kept his head down, stayed under the radar.He was very smart man and never got convicted of anything.Retired and looked after his family.All I will say is he had help from the authorities.Stay safe ! 😆😆
Remember reading McVicar's autobiography when I was working in Probation in the UK. I found it very illuminating and insightful regarding the criminal classes.
Excellent John is a great man Roger Daltry played him brillianty But he’s even more brilliant and interesting In real life R.I.P amazing man who has been Through so much.
You are not the only one Paul, he used to live opposite an old friend & I would often see him out & about, a keep fit fan, he was always jogging or riding his racing bike, back In the day, I believe he was quite a private man!
He's wrote about it before at this particular moment he was talking about something else unlike many past villains he's not telling the same story over and over
im from that world and I think with Russell its not got much to do with getting back at his old man,much more to it.I think when hes released he will go straight.just my opinion.
On J McVicar, If it's honesty your after here is yo man! a true journalist as are most. If any person says John wasnt true to him, I would doubt that. It was a delight hearing the ex con McVicar articulate on F Fraser. I have read up on the now late Frank Fraser, and how McVicar portrays him rings very true. Thank's to you Liam Galvin and to John McVicar, lovely interview. Tenfingers.
Mcvivar turned his back on the grafting done well changed his life so good luck fella,was well respected in his day game as fuck,bit as long as he never gave info that got anyone in trouble I wish him all the luck in the world with his new life,good luck fella.
McVicar look,s and sound,s a very dangerous man. He should of played Hannibal lector in "silence of the Lamb,s". He served his time, hard time mostly, he was "grassed up" by a so called friend when he was caught. Obviously an intelligent man that had changed his way,s but the menace is still in his eyes. Would imagine he is still very capable.
Let’s put it a different way, Frank was original and nobody can take that away from him. His story is his story he’s not doing it for fame or money… it’s survival. So why not enjoy it !
Frankie Fraser - a man who spent most of his life in prison and while he was in there he had it hard.Yeah real hero he was outstanding role model I must say.
Apparently he was brought up in a nice middle class family but got into armed robbery..."life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" but I take your point
He played Roger Daltry so well in his film... 😊 Frazer was known to be a bully to people who were tied up & given a beating. Given hard time in prison as on his own couldn't fight a baby. I take Albert Readings word over anyone's.
On the cat A wing he escaped from was bill curbishley who became the manager of theTHE WHO in 1974 and still is to this day , he was also producer of the film mcvicar and quadrophenia , after being given the budget to make both films by polygram he was feeling really pleased only to get a phonecall saying keith moon the who s drummer had been found dead , their are interviews with this guy but he does not mention anything about his own connection with john from hmp frankland , just says about making the films and managing THE WHO
I met Fraser once in Islington where he was trying to scam me...I asked his details and he said John Smith...I replied thank you Mr Fraser..he didn't batt an eye lid ..just carried on
Interesting .......Thankyou i didnt expect you to be so well educated and eloquent not like you were portrayed in the film i met Franks nephew in the 90 's with my brother he brought him to a party to upset some people who upset me! i really didnt think he would appear .....
my dad was on the same wing as u jhon in Durham or frankland steven mcdermott and he was sharing a cell.with willy on remand in the strangways he said u lot called him the mole c0z he was always digging out would love to.hear back.from u jhon
liam, have you seen macs interview with laurie taylor, he is talking about how his son keeps getting banged up just to have a go at john because he thinks mac deserted him because he was in the shovel till 1978 and just thinks getting banged up for armed robbery is getting his own back on his old man. russel is still serving 15 years now.
+sean stones i saw it by chance on sky arts 1 about 3 years ago sean, it is a good interview and mac comes across realy well. keep trying but i dont think mac likes to much publicity he keeps to himself.
+super owls thanks mark hope he keeps out this time, long sentences eventually get you in the head permanently, he knows mac will help him when he wants it he is a good bloke and helps people when they need it.
Upper working, almost middle class, shop owning family and John was a good student. Excitement of breaking the law and making lots of quick cash was too alluring.
My Uncle was a Cat A in Durham nick when McVicar kicked off and he said nobody in the nick thought McVicar was clever, that any of them could have done the same thing and just weren't stupid enough. In the 90's I asked a screw on a landing about Frankie Fraser, caught him of guard and the screw was nervous. He refused to go into detail about Fraser but said a lot of stuff he got up to we won't find in books. The screw was scared when Fraser was mentioned. The head of security (a different kind of screw to the landing ones) at this nick in Canterbury was called Jones. An old school hard case who still wore the hat. Jones kicked me through my cell door and ranted when I walked too slow with a cup of diesel at bang up which was my introduction to this guy. This screw called Jones broke the legs of Frankie Fraser at another nick because the brother of Jones was a killed screw during the Parkhurst riot Frankie Fraser lead. A little tit bit there for Liam Gavin, research it and you'll see it is true. In the prison system Frankie Fraser is royalty and respected by all cons because of what he endured and because of the reforms he forced. Even Charles Bronson acknowledges he is not the man Frankie Fraser was despite his best efforts to be.
Who said he was scared? I described his reaction. Regardless of what people say about him being knocked out, the guy couldn't have his spirit tamed by anybody, he was fearless and kept returning for more injuries and pain. Somebody like this won't give a fuck about using a meat cleaver on someone's face because the comeback is irrelevant to him. It's this people don't factor when they're talking shit about the little guy. Obviously a 4'10 90Ibs guy is going to be knocked out by an average sized guy and especially boxers like Mason and Reading - no wonder he used weapons to even things out. I am telling you in the British Prison system, Fraser was and still is considered a legend and is highly respected. He forced prison change and reform. He ended up getting an extra 30 years to do this .... so there's why. I couldn't ask Jones (the screw who broke Fraser's legs) about it because the guy was like a Lenny Mclean in a uniform, very old school and physical with us, very loud and vocal too with a quick temper. So there was no, "Oi Jones, tell us about your dead brother in Parkhurst when Frank took over the place."
Why would the screw be nervous? Frankie was of no threat to him being incarcerated elsewhere. And yes you did say he was "scared when Frankie was mentioned". Truth is Frankie wasn't in Durham for very long. They carted him off to Broadmoor shortly after.
+Bradd Peterson. If he is your relation let me be the first to break the news to you that his name is Michael not Mark. How do you know he isn't a danger to the public? He seems to be off his nut for want of a better term.
"I know I'm gonna lose,
but I'll be the best second you've ever seen"
legend...
Classic line mate
@@ASHEN_ONE_GAMES best line ever I’m gonna get a tat
Impressionable little boys.
Change me blade mister pendell
@@jota55581there was no puffs in the DLI 😂
Great film, Daltrey, Adam Faith ,Stephen Berkoff and Billy Murray all played fantastic roles, the soundtrack was excellent aswell
Paul Kelly got it on DVD. Very good and Roger did a good job.
"Oh, I dropped your breakfast" when he got released and his mate give up his wife/GF.
Eeeeeeeeeeeèeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Soundtrack was great.
What an awesome movie, still one of my favourites.
One of the first British films about a real life British criminal a well respected face
But like you say a very articulate and intelligent man
McVicar was one of the first serious villains to get a degree while in jail and write a book very intelligent and honorable man
How is an armed robber an honourable man?
His son is in prison for armed robbery as well he didn't do a very good job of teaching don't be like me
A very intelligent man. Who really did turn his life around and doesn't bask in the past glories of his crimes.
Lol he wrote a book that was turned into a film
@@TheHarrybo1 I’ve got the book Mcvicar by himself, a great book .
he did a sociology course whilst doing time in Leicester prison. his mentor was a sociologist called Laurie Taylor who met up with McVicar on his release and asked him to show him around London's underworld and introduce him to some of the major players on the scene. there was a resulting book titled 'in the underworld'. worth a read
Thanks for the heads up.
Welford Rd.
'Shated' the address, 78, for few months.
He'd got a beard back then.
He wasn't bright enough to see sociology is complete hogwash. "It's not your fault, it's your circumstances"
Leicester prison, Welford Road got caught taking a little bit of cannabis in their gave me six months
@@markberridge4063 Laurie Taylor who does the programme on Radio4?
McVicar gives a perspective that you don't hear from anyone else. Very valuable
I grew up watching the Roger Daltrey movie but this is the first time I've seen the real man. He is articulate and intelligent, with some first-hand knowledge. Interesting.
Unlikely criminal because his upbringing is almost middle class. Got sucked in to the idea of easy money.
@Gonzo England His parents ran and owned a shop. Had everything he ever wanted growing up. Got good grades at school. Later life was something else.
Mc Vicar was one of the first professional criminals to get a degree while he was inside then went on to write a book about his experiences he was regarded as a seriously heavy geezer despite his supposedly middle class background and is now regarded as a serious criminologist who actually knew most of the famous faces
@@SirPeter6464 i really don't think your parents having a shop is the same as having every thing you want. It's certainly better off than many but it's hardly living the dream for any young fella with a bit of spirit all young people want more no matter what they have
John mc vicar: eloquent & articulate, could listen to him talking about snipe shooting.
Brilliant!
'Snipe'.
I haven't heard that in a while....
RIP JOHN MCVICAR 👍🇬🇧
Could listen to this man all day.⭐️ He is great narrator and someone.Who is spot on in his assertions.No glamour,or,swagger.Smooth operator then and now ⭐️
@@Anonymous-Joker74 I totally agree! I really wish that this was longer and there were more interviews of this guy..really interesting!
A very interesting and informative interview. Thanks for sharing.
Check out 'Mc vicar' the movie with Roger Daltry.
just finished watching it on tv,my mam lives round the corner from the jail!
Dickhead
Great soundtrack
@@bigjumbo9479 is that some sort of hot dog? Or a large aeroplane?
@@pabloescabarthird6870 Its his man dildo....
the one, and ONLY man on this channel that has integrity and intelligence, and, more so - production in life.
Yes this man has integrity
Can only judge them as you find them, I spoke to him about something once and he took the time with me and showed respect when others may not have. From the conversation we had it is hard to believe some of these negative comments on here however I have only spoken with him that one time.
Which one...Frankie or John?
Must be a song in there, somewhere.
🤔😉😂
I watched the "Mcvicar" film and it was a really good story. Looking at the real man in Liams interview, i can see this man can change in a second. He can be nice and polite and look intellectual, but don not take this as a weakness as you would see the real Mc vicar
Spent some time with him - he didn't like to talk about his past - even went to Longleat with him where he played chess with the Marquess of Bath - he was living with a Countess at the time - very private man
@@LiamGalvinFilm how long did he do and is he still alive great stuff
@@LiamGalvinFilm
@@LiamGalvinFilmwhy did you put that picture of him in the thumb nail ? Why would you do that , I see you differently for it. That's no mistake. People like you, warcry publishing, Steven Wraith, a certain type of creep
When they catch you you'll never get out!...……… Never get out never get out.
😂 class film 👍🦊
Name and number, you know my name you gave me the fucking number. Quality film.
@@andyparsley3744 I ain't going anywhere without my facking trainers 😀🦊👍
@@claytonfox4107 we could go on for days my best mate was a geordie bless him and we would call him you fucking geordie maggot.😷🙂
@@andyparsley3744 😂😂👊
"WHERE'S MY FUCKING TRAINERS"
LEGEND💯
It's funny how everybody says Fraser Tels lies.
I have followed this stuff for ages and nearly everything he said ended up being true.
Other villains didn't like the fact he spoke his mind about things and didn't care about consequences.
You'd think they of all people would know.
He never claimed to be the hardest man in the world but he was a dangerous little bastard.
People running him down when he's 90 etc lol he did 42 years in jail (nearly all in solitary) and you've to be solid to survive that, never mind gangland assassination attempts against him when he's 70 odd.
Like John said, people like Fraser are very very rare hence why he was lionised in jail etc
@stanly stud
Not just Alb's word for it, either.
Mason said the same, that Alb put him out cold with one punch.
I wish him the very best in life he’s done his time and turned his life round and what an intelligent guy too
I used to like Frank Fraser because he sounded identical to my grandfather. Non criminal but with a similar mindset. A lot older but maybe a product of a time and a place.
I absolutely love this bloke. Unlike some of his peers, John doesn't boast or come across as a big head
yes he does
McVicar was never a humble person, not ever. But he had street cred and made sense and was once gifted. Now he seems to be on a fucking ego trip, just as Frankie Fraser was. He may be more articulate than Fraser, but is equally as guilty of trying to get attention through saying things that don't ring true.
liam whitcombe Think his intellect,makes him sound aloof at times.? Just his nuance and descriptive narrative.I think ,He is an intelligent man and isn't disrespectful here in his assertion.Truth maybe is people will always be fascinated by crime.Ironic,yes,Nevertheless honest and I respect that.👌🏽
liam whitcombe all them that are boasters,load braggarts are looked down on unless they got a bit ov charisma ,loud criminals are taken as untrustworthy, attention seekers which is not good for illegal business,Can be very political the criminal seen gossip etc,all you have is a rep.
Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story!!! EL chop chop. Just rip into em ya fuckin fairy
Emerging from a hospital visit to a relative in the 1990s , reformed hardman John and his young married son found their car blocked by a minicab driver who said, "I'll be going soon when my fare comes out." John asked him nicely to just move a few feet but the bad attitude eejit wouldn't budge. So John's son said, "Move now or we'll move you!!" John asked his son to keep calm, but the fat cabbie just sat there, so John's son reached in, knocked him out, shoved him over, and moved the cab, then said, "Dad, you know that's the only true language that thickos understand."
good for you your dad is a great man A true gentleman Mick Palmer now living in Spain 😎
He speaks like an intellectual of sorts, clearly a clever bloke.
Forward to 2022. He`s gone now, after a heart attack. I recall the time he caught linford christies brother, russell, breaking into his home in Battersea, he chased and caught him, and gave him a good hiding.
Nowadays our social worker coppers, would have been onto McVicar in a flash in our pro diversity times.
Last time i read about McV he was working in the media and in a stable relationship and home.
But died skint in a caravan in Essex yesterday.
Shame about his end. Intelligent, confident man.
This man is a legend!!Mcvicar is one of the few gangsters/ blaggers I would like to speak to.A very intelligent man
Lee Wilson he's up his own a hole #knobed
Lee Wilson He was a fucking mug he only made money because of the blaggers who took him grafting same with his prison break Wally Probin was the brains behind that!
blimey it doesn't take much to impress you does it!?
Lee Wilson You fucking moron.
Shahtaaap john
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GRAFTER AND A GANGSTER IS EVIDENT, GANGSTERS ARE LIKE ACTORS, THEY LOVE THE SHOW, WORKERS TRY TO STAY OUT OF THE LIGHT. NEITHER IS LESS DANGEROUS THAN THE OTHER. UNTILL THEY GET IN THE POLICE STATION, THEN YOU FIND OUT A MANS LOYALTY.
Tha says n o w t.
Wow 😳 John McVicar is a hero of mine because he helped me to help young offenders ( aged 16 to 21 ) when I was working on IT 😲 Intermediate Treatment . Nothing to do with the modern use of the term . Bloody hard work for the young woman I was at the time .
I did i.t in ossett west Yorkshire in early 80s and honestly was the best time of my life , went off the rails a bit afterwards but behaved myself since 87/88 wouldn't change an hour of my life though
Hard to believe the fella giving this interview was once a notorious hardened criminal, sounds more like an Oxbridge Don
"I'll be the best fucking second you've ever seen"
John Mc Vicar living legend.Sad that John didn’t get a helping hand into legit business ventures lost a lot of his life to prison walked a tough road.Life is tough enough without prison who needs it.
Yeah, it's a shame a lot of people who don't commit crime don't get a helping hand either.
McVicar did end up working as a journalist for the Guardian
@@rogerdodger1790 Good answer it’s true what I mean is he is a intelligent man who lost a lot of years doing the wrong thing.Anything I’ve got is from 4 decades working as a nurse it’s affected my health but there is pride self satisfaction from honest money helping others.
Good interview, no bs with McVicar.
I really enjoyed this very honest balanced interview so truthful
John McVicar was at one time a Professional Criminal..A armed Bank Robber,got caught,went to Prison,broke out,but ended up back there and served his time...
And while he was in prison 'Serving his debt to society'(as the say) he studied and obtained some Academic qualifications.👍.
.But he really fell on his feet,when Roger Daltrey( from 'The Who' & A fellow West Londoner) decided to make a Movie about him around 1981 I think? called 'McVicar'..The Movie was fairly decent & it had a really good soundtrack!
.So with all that said,he certainly was no heroic ' Robin Hood' type character! ' Robin Banks' maybe!.
And was brought up in the E.End of London and thankfully never got dragged or enticed in2 this way of life( buy it could have easily have happened!)
And I've met many an character like him!..Sometimes they could be half decent company,amusing,often really good talkers&raconteurs,but as long as you soon realised that's all it was,just talk& not a great deal of substance!
And most importantly you couldn't trust them!
.So maybe some Former Criminals came out of the 'Clink & and managed to keep their noses clean,gain employment,hold a job down etc,(and maybe even write a book) but their basic character flaws can often still remain or maybe just become 'watered down' ( just alittle) so not all 'have seen the light' or have had some kind of epiphany!
And just like many Politicians,they've just learned to conceal their behavior& true personalities better!
Wow that was a mouth full.was he grass?
Jus yea or no 😎😉
@@step4796 I've no idea!..And I don't Dig' 'sound bites'.
Did you ever meet/know William Tarrant ?
@@suzyqualcast6269 Afraid not,who was he?..And looking at this Essay of mine now,I must have been bored or still getting used to using YT? ( which I hadn't bothered with until 2017) because I have no idea why I typed such an mouthful?
I don't care how late it is
I'm not goin home ... brilliant film
One very interesting bloke is John McVicar. A hard case in his own right. Utilised his time to educate himself and evolved for the better. R.I.P
You know my name and you gave me the f**King number, brilliant film
To my mind Frazers power comes from his mastery of deceit... watch a video of him. He will tell a known lie and calmly recall the date and time. The weather and who was there ..... he knows he is lying yet continues to elaborate... compulsive sociopath
Fraser was more famous as a gangster after he was released than he ever was before he went away. He realised he could make a few quid by playing up to the myth he had created for himself the whole thing about carrying a pair of gold dentist pliers was something he made up after his first book sold well. When I was young he was well known around the elephant and the walworth road he probably knew people in other parts of town but he was never famous all this came about in the eighties when every ex con gangster doorman football hooligan and unlicensed fighter started turning out autobiographies you couldn't turn on the telly without seeing some celebrity gangster. I lived in Bermondsey but I'd never heard of Dave courtney until they done a programme about him and he started appearing on chat shows and writing books. But I don't blame any of them for taking advantage of an opportunity to earn money; that's what criminals do especially if they don't have to put themselves on offer. You can make more form book sales than most people get from a blag and the only person you have to give any to is your agent you haven't got to split the lot three or four ways nor do you have to be careful not to be seen spending loads of cash. Course they're going to jump on the band wagon true crime biographies are a popular genre they'd be silly not to cash in
RIP John met a few times and sad to hear of your passing.
o.m.g its obvious john is an intelligent guy. just shows how people can just go off on a tangent. ive always thought this ive sometimes pictured scenarios of members of my family coming to harm and me going beserk .i think we all walk a tight rope of which we have little control.destiny luck fate or what ever plays a massive part in our outcomes in life.glad johns life has turned a corner i actually believe it could of been a normal life under different circumstances life is that strange
What a really excellent comment you left.
Love Roger Daltrey, the Who and their films. But clearly this a far more articulate and intelligent man than he was portrayed to be in the movie. He did bad things in the distant past, but is clearly a different person now!
We can all change once channeled.
He will tell you, you can't beat the system no matter who you are God bless you all
Very interesting and insightful video by this knowledge and thoughtful man .
I like the bit when the sound guy overdubs a "be lucky" totally hilarious 😂
Very intelligent guy, who decided to educate himself and turn things around. As someone has already pointed he does not glory in his past. A credit to himself.
My uncle was a very bad man and sucessful gangster in the mid 70's in South London
Nobody has ever heard of him.That why he was sucessfull.R.I.P. uncle Roger !
Nobody heard of your Uncle but somehow he was very successful without doing business with anybody? You best rewrite your story and make it credible.
+Jack Carter You missed my point sir.He kept his head down, stayed under the radar.He was very smart man and never got convicted of anything.Retired and looked after his family.All I will say is he had help from the authorities.Stay safe ! 😆😆
Was your uncle a member of the royal family, a celebrity, or an employee of the BBC by any chance?
Kim Jong Un I heard he was someone who just lived with them. Roger the Lodger
GTR MAN I think I know your uncle very well sounds exactly like the roger I grew up with one very bad intelligent man Rip Roger
Remember reading McVicar's autobiography when I was working in Probation in the UK. I found it very illuminating and insightful regarding the criminal classes.
The criminal classes.....are you sure ....mmm middle class twat
@@garycollie7836 Yeah, that was a bit clumsy - as an outsider I guess I was more class-conscious than I should have been. Twat out.
Its good how john mcvicar as sorted his life out not many criminals dont
Looking at the thumbnail the video should be called John Mcvicar does rare Rik Mayall impression!
Excellent John is a great man
Roger Daltry played him brillianty
But he’s even more brilliant and interesting
In real life R.I.P amazing man who has been
Through so much.
Mc vicar proper blagger , when he got two long birds gave it all up, became a writter , hes proper,
What’s a writter?
now that's a hard man and educated
plowize John was Britain's most wanted criminal for a long time.
Especially after he escaped from Durham top security.
I'd like to see more of him
You are not the only one Paul, he used to live opposite an old friend & I would often see him out & about, a keep fit fan, he was always jogging or riding his racing bike, back In the day, I believe he was quite a private man!
Good interview, it's a shame though he doesn't want to talk about his prison time, but can't blame him for that.
He's wrote about it before at this particular moment he was talking about something else unlike many past villains he's not telling the same story over and over
"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."
Oscar Wilde.
Reputed to have been said by him on his deathbed, while looking at the wallpaper...
*"One of us has to go!"*
You're not wrong
One awesome film an the best sounds 👌👍
A very interesting man very intelligent
im from that world and I think with Russell its not got much to do with getting back at his old man,much more to it.I think when hes released he will go straight.just my opinion.
RIP JOHN.
On J McVicar, If it's honesty your after here is yo man! a true journalist as are most. If any person says John wasnt true to him, I would doubt that.
It was a delight hearing the ex con McVicar articulate on F Fraser. I have read up on the now late Frank Fraser, and how McVicar portrays him rings very true.
Thank's to you Liam Galvin and to John McVicar, lovely interview.
Tenfingers.
+James Ramsey Really appreciate your comments - thanks for watching
I remember this bloke when he was lead singer in a band . Had long curly hair at one time .
The who
steven Cooper he ended up blind as a bat but very good at pinball.
Talk about.... wooshhhhhhh 😂😂
@paul davies
Ouch. Lol.
Are you being serious. Roger daltrey played mcvicar in his true life prison escape
Mcvivar turned his back on the grafting done well changed his life so good luck fella,was well respected in his day game as fuck,bit as long as he never gave info that got anyone in trouble I wish him all the luck in the world with his new life,good luck fella.
McVicar look,s and sound,s a very dangerous man. He should of played Hannibal lector in "silence of the Lamb,s". He served his time, hard time mostly, he was "grassed up" by a so called friend when he was caught. Obviously an intelligent man that had changed his way,s but the menace is still in his eyes. Would imagine he is still very capable.
John McVicar former 'Public enemy No 1. Hard to believe hes now 80 years old.
Macvicar a legend looks like even at his age cross him he would lay u out
John Mc was a robber and made up for his crimes and educated himself.Frank was very brave when his victims were tied up and helpless.
No one likes a row with a midgit.
No, coz everyone knows that 6 of 7 dwarves aren't happy..
Or surrounded by men helping him, frank was a little waiter for the Richardsons
mark hughes your comment was a year ago, but boy did it just give me a chuckle,,,,, brightened up my night cheers bud
he was a moneylender when he stayed in Scotland that's what he was known for
Let’s put it a different way, Frank was original and nobody can take that away from him. His story is his story he’s not doing it for fame or money… it’s survival. So why not enjoy it !
Mcvicor old skool armed blagger who escaped from the special unit in Durham turned his life around very intelligent man
Frankie Fraser - a man who spent most of his life in prison and while he was in there he had it hard.Yeah real hero he was outstanding role model I must say.
@YeminiKilllskids-fo7ug No i'm not but if I was it certainly wouldn't have been the likes of Frankie Fraser he was a numpty if ever there was one.
Frank was loyal to the end to what he believed .
Fraser said it was the police who shot him because he thought it would help publicise his book
If McVicar had been brought up in a nice middle-class home - he'd have
been Prime Minister. Incredibly intelligent given the hand he was dealt.
Wut?
😂😂😂
Parents owned their own shop and he was a clever lad in school.
Are we talking about the same geezer?
Apparently he was brought up in a nice middle class family but got into armed robbery..."life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" but I take your point
Done him dirty with the thumbnail
Yeah for sure.
He played Roger Daltry so well in his film... 😊
Frazer was known to be a bully to people who were tied up & given a beating. Given hard time in prison as on his own couldn't fight a baby. I take Albert Readings word over anyone's.
😂😂😂
I can see I'm gunna lose here! But I'll be the best 2nd uve ever seen!
On the cat A wing he escaped from was bill curbishley who became the manager of theTHE WHO in 1974 and still is to this day , he was also producer of the film mcvicar and quadrophenia , after being given the budget to make both films by polygram he was feeling really pleased only to get a phonecall saying keith moon the who s drummer had been found dead , their are interviews with this guy but he does not mention anything about his own connection with john from hmp frankland , just says about making the films and managing THE WHO
"You try an' grab me an' al' break your jaw". "No No I Ain't Gonna' Do Anything Like That Lad".
+pat c give him the training shoes........come on lad quick as you can!!!
+Adam Kiff IT'S FUCKING COLD. SMASH TRY AT SCREW,AND BOILING STEW POT ALL OVER
ok i know im not gonna win ere, BUT I'LL BE THE BEST FUCKING SECOND YOUVE EVER SEEN!! then fucks the chair on the floor
Hello John,you don't wanna bird in there with ya
+pat c Any where you want me your gonna have to put me.
Will we ever find out who shot who at mr smiths....
wheres my trainers ? look if i don't get my trainers then im not going !!
I met Fraser once in Islington where he was trying to scam me...I asked his details and he said John Smith...I replied thank you Mr Fraser..he didn't batt an eye lid ..just carried on
What an educated eloquent man McVicar is ....... a tribute to the education system Britain's prisons !!
education systems in jail arent as good as they used to be,
Open University Graduate.
You avin a fuckin laff
John Mcvicar What A Legend. "A "REAL" Career Criminal". #Respect.
Respected. He was years ago, not any more.
Notice McVicar got very uncomfortable when asked about being inside with Fraser?
Put the kettle on STREAKY!!
@Drew M You got a pot of Rosy in there?
My dad Steven mcdermott known as mc was on the same wing as u and he was sharing a cell when he was on remand in strangways
Interesting .......Thankyou i didnt expect you to be so well educated and eloquent not like you were portrayed in the film i met Franks nephew in the 90 's with my brother he brought him to a party to upset some people who upset me! i really didnt think he would appear .....
I don't care how late it is im not going home , I'm having a wonderful time.
We won't wait up for you, but do try to keep it down, when you do finally stagger in the door.
Obliged.
My dad arrested him and respected his strength. Dad is still alive now at 98.
Is he still alive now mate ? Arrested Mcvicar or Frank
McVicar
He’s dead
Archer from Scum.
"Vegetarians.......Ar've fackin shit 'em"
Yes!
Name and number lad!
Name and number? 4721 Archer sir Ah Archer. Insolence? Graffiti? Guilty? ….Miss placed trust sir.
He does sound like Archer definitely
Rip John
my dad was on the same wing as u jhon in Durham or frankland steven mcdermott and he was sharing a cell.with willy on remand in the strangways he said u lot called him the mole c0z he was always digging out would love to.hear back.from u jhon
real deal !
Good interview , Subscribed :)
I love all the story's about the English underworld all the old lads had class back then the gangster name died with the old stock
liam, have you seen macs interview with laurie taylor, he is talking about how his son keeps getting banged up just to have a go at john because he thinks mac deserted him because he was in the shovel till 1978 and just thinks getting banged up for armed robbery is getting his own back on his old man. russel is still serving 15 years now.
+brian lee no never saw it - will have a look cheers
Where can this be viewed pal?
+sean stones i saw it by chance on sky arts 1 about 3 years ago sean, it is a good interview and mac comes across realy well. keep trying but i dont think mac likes to much publicity he keeps to himself.
+brian lee cheers pal, yeah he doesn't give much away does he haha
+super owls thanks mark hope he keeps out this time, long sentences eventually get you in the head permanently, he knows mac will help him when he wants it he is a good bloke and helps people when they need it.
Is he still writing books? Does he ever give interviews now..no sign of him?
Bright guy.
Upper working, almost middle class, shop owning family and John was a good student.
Excitement of breaking the law and making lots of quick cash was too alluring.
Love and best wishes and happiness
My Uncle was a Cat A in Durham nick when McVicar kicked off and he said nobody in the nick thought McVicar was clever, that any of them could have done the same thing and just weren't stupid enough.
In the 90's I asked a screw on a landing about Frankie Fraser, caught him of guard and the screw was nervous. He refused to go into detail about Fraser but said a lot of stuff he got up to we won't find in books. The screw was scared when Fraser was mentioned.
The head of security (a different kind of screw to the landing ones) at this nick in Canterbury was called Jones. An old school hard case who still wore the hat. Jones kicked me through my cell door and ranted when I walked too slow with a cup of diesel at bang up which was my introduction to this guy.
This screw called Jones broke the legs of Frankie Fraser at another nick because the brother of Jones was a killed screw during the Parkhurst riot Frankie Fraser lead.
A little tit bit there for Liam Gavin, research it and you'll see it is true.
In the prison system Frankie Fraser is royalty and respected by all cons because of what he endured and because of the reforms he forced. Even Charles Bronson acknowledges he is not the man Frankie Fraser was despite his best efforts to be.
Bollox, why would he be scared? was little frank hidding in your pocket.
Who said he was scared? I described his reaction.
Regardless of what people say about him being knocked out, the guy couldn't have his spirit tamed by anybody, he was fearless and kept returning for more injuries
and pain.
Somebody like this won't give a fuck about using a meat cleaver on someone's face because the comeback is irrelevant to him.
It's this people don't factor when they're talking shit about the little guy. Obviously a 4'10 90Ibs guy is going to be knocked out by an average sized guy and especially boxers like Mason and Reading - no wonder he used weapons to even things out.
I am telling you in the British Prison system, Fraser was and still is considered a legend and is highly respected. He forced prison change and reform. He ended up getting an extra 30 years to do this .... so there's why.
I couldn't ask Jones (the screw who broke Fraser's legs) about it because the guy was like a Lenny Mclean in a uniform, very old school and physical with us, very loud and vocal too with a quick temper. So there was no, "Oi Jones, tell us about your dead brother in Parkhurst when Frank took over the place."
Why would the screw be nervous? Frankie was of no threat to him being incarcerated elsewhere. And yes you did say he was "scared when Frankie was mentioned". Truth is Frankie wasn't in Durham for very long. They carted him off to Broadmoor shortly after.
+Bradd Peterson. If he is your relation let me be the first to break the news to you that his name is Michael not Mark. How do you know he isn't a danger to the public? He seems to be off his nut for want of a better term.
+Ren Jay 😂😂😂
i wish john all the best for the future good vid.iv subsribe anyway..