John Cooper Clarke was born in Salford, 1949. As a teenager, he performed his poetry in Manchester's folk clubs, where he met Rick Goldstraw who invited him to join his band, The Ferrets.

In 1977, having given up on becoming a stand-up comedian, John joined the likes of Ed Banger and Jilted John on the books of Manchester punk label, Rabid. Supporting the likes of The Buzzcocks and Warsaw, he amazed audiences on the local punk circuit with his good-humoured high-speed Salfordian poetry.

Thanks largely to Anthony H.Wilson, John inherited the title, 'The Punk Poet', after receiving radio and TV exposure for 'Suspended Sentence'. In the song he voices his opinion on the capital punishment debate with tongue-in-cheek lyrics like, "Sit right down - write a letter to the Sun Say... 'Bring back hangin' for everyone'". The track was included on his debut Innocents EP which also boasted 'Psycle Sluts', described at the time by Frank Zappa as one of his favourite songs, praising John as "a man with exquisite diction".

Touring the Manchester punk circuit in his tight drainpipe trousers and jacket, winkle-picker shoes and dark shades he was soon signed up to CBS. He released the single, 'Post-War Glamour Girl', which was later included on his 1978 debut album, Disguise in Love.

In 1979, John supported Elvis Costello on his breakthrough 'Armed Forces' tour, and released the Top 40 single 'Gimmix!'. His 1979 live album, Walking Back To Happiness, failed to sell as well. The album included a song dedicated to Conservative Government minister Michael Heseltine, who was also later attacked on a later visit to Manchester University. It was interestingly entitled 'Twat'.

His 1980 album, Snap, Crackle And Bop was a far better release and included the classic emotional track 'Beasley Street'. To promote the album he toured with Durutti Column, for the first time using a backing band, The Invisible Girls.

Me And My Big Mouth, a 'best of' compilation album was released in 1981 to little success, a fate which was also enjoyed by his 1982 Zip Style Method album. This was to be his last release and in the following years John's drug abuse saw him spend most of his time in and out of the rehab clinic with his addict partner, Nico.

John Cooper Clarke had illuminated the punk scene of the 1970's with his comical and intelligent verse. His lifestyle however suffocated his talent. Hopefully he can make a successful comeback.

Past events

• The Curate's Egg, Thu 20 Dec at Birmingham The Hare & Hounds. (post review)
• Mon 31 Jul at Reading Stoke Row The Crooked Billet. (post review)
• Sat 13 May at London The George Tavern. (post review)
• Fri 20 May at London Kentish Town Forum. 1 review (read/post)

News

• 26/11/2007: Final acts confirmed for Portishead ATP
• 27/04/2006: Rip It Up... compilation details

Features

• 12/12/2007: Portishead's Nightmare Before Christmas: the DiS review

Links

• John Cooper Clarke - Official Site

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