The 5-minute Interview: Ian Brown, Musician

'I wasn't sure I'd make it... until I heard the first Stone Roses LP'

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Ian Brown, 45, is the former lead singer of seminal band The Stone Roses. Since their acrimonious break up in 1996, he has released five solo albums and had 12 UK top 40 singles. He is currently an ambassador for the 02 Undiscovered regional music workshops taking place throughout May. For more information and to book a free place, visit www.o2undiscovered.co.uk

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Writing my new album. I've fallen in love with playing guitar again and have been grafting on that for a few months.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Young people – we should take more notice of how they think. Today's youth are vilified as criminals when we should cherish them as society's jewels.

The most surprising thing to happen to me was...

Ending up as a bohemian wizard in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban film.

A common misconception of me is...

That I can't sing. My first LP is still in the charts 20 years on, so I can't be that bad.

A phrase I use far too often...

"Get back to bed." I've got three kids and they're up and down like yo-yos.

I am not a politician but...

I'd like to change the world. Eradicate poverty, racism, and sexism... all the usual things.

I'm good at...

I'm only really good at making music. I wasn't convinced when I started out, but then I heard the first Stone Roses' LP.

I'm very bad at...

Being told what to do.

The ideal night out is...

Doing a show somewhere outside the UK. You always feel great when you're away.

In moments of weakness...

I give thanks for everything that's ever happened to me and for everything I've got.

You know me as a musician but in a truer life I'd have been...

Still on the dole.

The best age to be is...

19. You're free as a bird; a whole life ahead of you.