A SCOTTISH man, 62, who went from drug dealing to becoming a rock star in a Spanish prison is now seeing his life turned into a film.
Allan McCarthy, from Barrhead near Glasgow, first made headlines back in the 1990s while serving time in tough Sangonera de la Verde prison in Murcia.
Jailed for 6.5 years in 1988 for cannabis possession, his life could have gone in a very different direction. But behind bars, something unexpected happened. He picked up music.
What started with the government wanting to show that they were carefully rehabilitating people quickly grew into something much bigger. Alongside other inmates, he formed a band called Berlin90.
Their track Runaway, written by McCarthy in his cell, went on to win a national music competition.
The prisoners were next taken to a recording studio under heavy guard, with police escorts and, predictably, huge media attention. Crowds gathered, and the story spread quickly across the country.
Their band soon appeared on TV and radio and became known as ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘The Bad Boys of Rock’.
Now, decades later, that same story is back in the spotlight.
After McCarthy shared his story online three weeks ago, asking if anyone could help fund the project, the rock gods came knocking.
Film director David Zucker came across a social media post and got in touch. And after speaking with Allan, everything moved fast.
What began as a simple TV interview rapidly turned into a full documentary project.
Filming started just two weeks ago in Glasgow, inside a well-known Italian restaurant. Crews then travelled to Edinburgh to shoot exterior scenes.
The speed of it all has taken everyone by surprise, with hopes now to have the film ready for a spring festival. “It’s a complete dream and a few weeks ago I wouldn’t have believed it,” McCarthy told the Olive Press this week.
At the same time, McCarthy’s story has been spreading across social media, with growing numbers of likes and shares.
There are also early talks with a record label, opening the door to new music opportunities, he told the Olive Press.
READ MORE: Tourist coach driver arrested in Valencia for snorting cocaine leaving 25 passengers needing taxis
But behind the sudden attention is a more personal story.
McCarthy has struggled with addiction in the past. Now, two years into recovery from drugs and alcohol, his recent success is helping him stay focused: “It helps with the recovery process”.
Sharing his story, he believes, could help others going through similar situations: “Now I can help people get clean by sharing my story”.For McCarthy, the outcome is not the most important thing: “Maybe no one will like the music, but at least I’ve got the chance. I’ve gotten a second chance”.
Click here to read more La Cultura News from The Olive Press.
