{{Short description|English poet (born 1949)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{use British English|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox writer | name = John Cooper Clarke | image = John Cooper Clarke (5111743899) (cropped).jpg | nickname = The Bard of Salford | caption = Clarke in 2010 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|1|25}} | birth_place = Salford, Lancashire, England | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Poet | genre = Punk poetry, performance poetry | language = English | spouse = {{marriage|Chris|1970|1973|end=sep.}}{{marriage|Evie Clarke|1990}} | children = 1 | website = {{website|johncooperclarke.com}} | period = 1977–present | module = {{Listen|embed=yes|pos=center|filename=John Cooper Clarke on Woodman, Spare That Tree!.mp3|title= John Cooper Clarke's voice|type= speech|description= Clarke discussing the poem "Woodman, Spare That Tree!"}} }} <!---note WP:LEADFOLLOWSBODY, and ''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt'' is included in the lead firstly because it has a redirect to the article, and secondly, it is a significant book and film--->
'''John Cooper Clarke''' (born 25 January 1949), also known as '''JCC''' and "'''The Bard of Salford'''", is an English performance poet and comedian who was often referred to as a "punk poet" in the late 1970s. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he released several albums and performed on stage with punk and post-punk bands and has continued to write and perform since. The title of his first poetry anthology, ''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt'', published in 1982, was also used for a documentary film about him in the same year.
Clarke has been an influence on many later artists, including Arctic Monkeys. In 2013, he was presented with an honorary doctorate by the University of Salford. {{as of|2025}}, he has released three anthologies of poetry and a memoir, as well as many albums and singles, and continues to perform regularly.
==Early life and education == John Cooper Clarke was born in Salford, Lancashire, on 25 January 1949.<ref name=tonicbio>{{cite web | title=John Cooper Clarke | website=Just the Tonic Comedy Club | url=https://www.justthetonic.com/nottingham-comedy/shows/wednesday-17-nov-2010/235/ | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="Strong">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |year=2003 |title=The Great Indie Discography |publisher=Canongate |isbn=1-84195-335-0 |pages=33–34}}</ref> "Cooper" is his middle name, and Clarke his surname.<ref>{{cite web | title=Authorities Search: Clarke, John Cooper | website=Library of Congress Authorities | url=https://authorities.loc.gov/authority/9c660a11-1001-4451-a501-b79dfd0c3c2f?searchFields=name&searchType=contains_all&searchTerm=john+cooper+clarke&page=1&limit=100&sortBy=relevance&headingRef=Clarke%2C+John+Cooper | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=sm>{{cite web | title=Clarke, John Cooper 1949 | website=Science Museum Group Collection | url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/ap30320/clarke-john-cooper | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121005149/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/ap30320/clarke-john-cooper | archive-date=21 January 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=nme1978/> Clarke suffered a bout of tuberculosis as a child. He disliked being outdoors, and read a lot.<ref name=nme1978/> He lived in the Higher Broughton area of Salford,<ref name="star"/> and attended the local secondary modern Catholic school.<ref name=nme1978/> He became interested in poetry after being inspired by his English teacher, John Malone,<ref>{{cite web|author=Tim Adams |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/06/john-cooper-clarke-poetry-bard-salford |title=John Cooper Clarke interview: 'Poetry is not something you have to retire from' |work=The Guardian |date=6 April 2014 |access-date=11 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="star">{{cite news |url=http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=106|title=John Cooper Clarke On Life In Higher Broughton |newspaper=Salford Star |access-date=8 October 2015}}</ref> and later reported that he wrote his first poem in his final year at school, about a priest who farted during a service.<ref name=nme1978/>
He left school at 15, obtaining brief stints of employment as an apprentice motor mechanic, window cleaner, and fire-watcher at the docks.<ref name=nme1978/> For six years, he did an apprenticeship as a compositor, earning a City and Guilds certificate.<ref name=luso2022>{{cite interview| first =John Cooper |last=Clarke| interviewer-first=David| interviewer-last= Ganhão | title=John Cooper Clarke | website=LUSO | date=14 April 2022 | url=https://lusolife.ca/punk-rock-poet-john-cooper-clarke/ | access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=sturges2024>{{cite web | last=Sturges | first=Fiona | title=John Cooper Clarke, the Bard of Salford: 'I wouldn't swap the life I have now for the life of a junkie' | website=The Independent | date=7 February 2024 | url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/john-cooper-clarke-tour-2024-b2491386.html | access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> He spent two years as a laboratory technician at Salford Tech.<ref name=radio4>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00b4wtl |title=The Bard of Salford |work=BBC Radio 4 |date=8 May 2008 |access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> ("It sounds very technical, but all I did was hand out chisels.")<ref name=nme1978/> Shortly after leaving school, Clarke played bass in a band first called The Mafia, renamed The Vendettas after the first gig, and in 1967 played in a psychedelic music band called The Lovely Flowers.<ref name=int2013/> He got into mod culture when he was a motor mechanic, and became a fan of soul music, Motown, and Stax. He was writing poetry all through the years of working at his early jobs.<ref name=int2013/>
===Early influences=== One of Clarke's early inspirations was the poet Sir Henry Newbolt. During an April 2018 episode of Steve Jones's radio show ''Jonesy's Jukebox'', he revealed Newbolt as one of his early inspirations, reciting from memory a portion of "Vitaï Lampada".<ref>{{cite web | title=Poetry Please, John Cooper Clarke | website=BBC | date=29 July 2018 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bcg1t6 | access-date=11 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729085841/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bcg1t6| archive-date= 29 July 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> He also read Edgar Allan Poe, which took him to the French poet Charles Baudelaire.<ref name=int2013/> Later influences included ''The Mersey Sound'' poets (Adrian Henri, Brian Patten, and Roger McGough).<ref name=int2013/>
His delivery was inspired by Futurist poetry as well as the horseracing commentary of Peter O'Sullevan.<ref name=10yearsbfi/>
== Career == After unsuccessfly trying to find a publisher for his poetry<ref name=sturges2024/> Clarke began performing in working men's clubs while he was still working at Salford Tech.<ref name=int2013/> He gave up his lab technician job when he achieved some success in the late 1970s,<ref name=nme1978/> and Howard Devoto (of the Buzzcocks) encouraged him to perform in punk clubs.<ref name=int2013/> His first releases were on Tosh Ryan and Martin Hannett's independent label Rabid,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.johncrumpton.co.uk/page28.htm |title=Rabid Records|website=Johncrumpton.co.uk |access-date=3 June 2016}}</ref> starting with the EP ''Innocents'' in October 1977.<ref name="Strong" /><ref name=nme1978/> The EP was described by ''NME'' as a series of poems "alternatively funny, sordid, and pessimistic pictures" or life in the UK since the end of World War II in 1945. The magazine criticises the density of the imagery, particularly on the "''magnum opus''", the "Psycle Sluts", but praises "Gimmix! (Play Loud)",<ref name=nme1978/> which just made it into the top 40 singles chart,<ref name=sturges2024/> at no.39.<ref>{{cite web | title=GIMMIX PLAY LOUD – JOHN COOPER CLARKE | website=Official Charts | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/john-cooper-clarke-gimmix-play-loud/ | access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records, was an early champion of Clarke, interviewing him on his TV show ''So It Goes''.<ref name=tm/>
His early recorded output had musical backing from the Invisible Girls, which featured Martin Hannett and Steve Hopkins, along with a rotating schedule of other musicians, including Pete Shelley (of Buzzcocks fame), Bill Nelson, and Paul Burgess.<ref>{{cite web | title=Archive | website=Invisible Girl Music | url=https://www.invisiblegirl.co.uk/archive/the_invisible_girls.html | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=The Invisible Girls [FBN 65 CD] | website=Factory Benelux | url=https://www.factorybenelux.com/the_invisible_girls_fbn65cd.html | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> He later said "It was never my idea to put my poetry to music but I couldn't think of an argument against it", and thought that the results were "patchy".<ref name=youngs2025/>
Clarke has attributed his early success in part to the influence of the English poet Pam Ayres. Her run of success on the British TV show ''Opportunity Knocks'' led both Clarke and his mother to believe that he could make a living at poetry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/06/john-cooper-clarke-poetry-bard-salford|title=John Cooper Clarke interview: 'Poetry is not something you have to retire from'|last=Adams|first=Tim|date=5 April 2014|website=The Guardian|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> He cited his influences in this period as Bob Dylan; Captain Beefheart; some Frank Zappa; The Velvet Underground; reggae music, including The Wailers and I Roy; Ian Dury; The Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks; Slaughter and the Dogs; and other punk and new wave music, which he said had "revived an interest in words".<ref name=nme1978/> He also said that his appreciation of punk had originated with New York punk bands, especially The Ramones and Velvet Underground; the first British punk band he'd seen was The Stranglers, when they supported Patti Smith on tour in 1974.<ref name=int2008/> He has also said that The Great American Songbook was a strong influence on him, and that he had been a great fan of much American music, including American reggae and ska musicians.<ref name=int2020/>
Clarke's debut LP ''Où est la maison de fromage?'', a collection of live recordings, demos, and rehearsals, was also released by Rabid (catalogue number NOZE 1) in 1978. He toured with Bill Nelson's band Be-Bop Deluxe in 1978 and was signed by Epic Records, who issued the studio album ''Disguise in Love'', produced by Hannett, in 1978.<ref name="Strong" /> In 1978 he had a backing band called The Curious Yellows, whose music was a bit like the German electronic band Kraftwerk.<ref name=nme1978>{{cite web | title=John Cooper Clarke NME Jan 28th 1978| publisher= NME| date= 28 Jan 1978 | via=Stand up and spit, 3 May 2014 | url=https://standupandspit.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/john-cooper-clarke-nme-jan-28th-1978/ | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> and, in 1979, had his only UK top 40 hit with "Gimmix! (Play Loud)".<ref name="Strong" /><ref name="bell">{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Nigel |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/music/2002/08/john_cooper_clarke.shtml |title=The Very Best of John Cooper Clarke |work=BBC |date=August 2002 |access-date=23 February 2008}}</ref> [[File:JohnCooperClarke1979.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Performing in Cardiff, 1979]] He toured with Linton Kwesi Johnson, and performed on the same bill as bands such as the Sex Pistols, the Fall, Joy Division, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Elvis Costello, Rockpile, and New Order (including at their May 1984 Music for Miners benefit concert at London's Royal Festival Hall). His set was and still is characterised by lively rapid-fire renditions of his poems, usually performed a cappella.<ref name=bard2015>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hhn9r|title= The Bard of Salford|date=11 January 2015|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/john-cooper-clarke-tour-2024-b2491386.html|title=John Cooper Clarke: 'I wouldn't swap the life I have now for the life of a junkie'|date=7 February 2024|website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="bell" /> He also played twice at CBGB, in New York City, once with David Johansen (after the New York Dolls).<ref name=int2008/> During this time, and since, he was often referred to as a "punk poet", although in the early days of punk, he was not always accepted by fans of punk music; in 1977, opening for the Buzzcocks at the Vortex Club in London, he was met with abuse from the audience.<ref name=nme1978/>
In 1980, he released ''Snap, Crackle & Bop'', which made number 26 in the charts.<ref name=simpson2016/>
Clarke released ''Zip Style Method'' in 1982, but thereafter performed his live act less frequently, spending much of the 1980s mired in heroin addiction, living in a "domestic partnership" with singer and fellow addict Nico.<ref name=comedycv>{{cite web |url=http://www.comedycv.co.uk/johncooperclarke/index.htm |title=John Cooper Clarke |work=Comedy CV.co.uk |access-date=23 February 2008}}</ref><ref name=age2009>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/a-bit-of-lip/2007/01/26/1169594479640.html?page=4 |title=A bit of lip |date=28 January 2007 |newspaper=The Age |access-date=4 May 2009}}</ref> He described this period of his life: "It was a feral existence. I was on drugs. It was hand to mouth",<ref name="Hatt" /> and also that he had nearly died four times. He eventually got clean after meeting his second wife, Evie.<ref name=youngs2025/>
In 1987, he performed live (on crutches owing to a broken ankle) at the Albany Empire in London with Suns of Arqa, recorded two tracks ("Libera Me" and "The Truth Lies Therein") for their album ''Seven'', and featured in the music video for the latter.<ref name="Strong" />
Clarke returned to live performance in the 1990s, appearing again with Suns of Arqa in 1992 at The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne. His vocals from both of his Suns of Arqa tracks have been used on numerous remixes by the band ever since.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
===Since 2000=== [[Image:JohnCooperClarkeBedfordRhythmFestival2006.jpg|thumb|upright|At Bedford's Rhythm Festival, 2006]] After 20 years of performing the same material, Clarke re-established contact with guitarist Rick Goldstraw, who had founded Blue Orchids and played with The Fall and Nico. Goldshaw began handling Clarke's affairs, and the two toured with the Mescaleros and several times supporting the Fall.<ref name=star/><ref name=star2016/>
He also duetted with Reverend Jon McClure at a Reverend and the Makers concert performing the poem "Last Resort", which was later released as the B-side for the band's 2007 single "Heavyweight Champion of the World".<ref name=int2008>{{cite web | title=Happy Birthday John Cooper Clarke: Revisiting a Classic Interview | website=Hotpress | date=2008 | url=https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/happy-birthday-john-cooper-clarke-revisiting-a-classic-interview-2-22888596 | access-date=17 November 2025| quote=Happy 73rd birthday, John Cooper Clarke! To celebrate, we're revisiting Róisín Dwyer's classic interview with The Bard of Salford – originally published in Hot Press in 2008. (25 January 2022)}}</ref> Clarke also recorded a song with the band entitled "Dead Man's Shoes", which was planned to be released as a single.<ref name=star2016>{{cite interview| first= John Cooper| last= Clarke| date=2016 | title=It's Legend Time | website= Salford Star | url=https://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=105 | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>
By 2008, he had been getting significant public exposure again, having featured in films and getting mentions by young stars such as Lily Allen and Kate Nash.<ref name="int2008" /> He appeared with (ex-Clash) Mick Jones' Carbon/Silicon,<ref name="int2008" /> including at the Inn on the Green in Ladbroke Grove in February 2008.<ref>{{cite web | title=Clash and Pistols members revive London spirit of '77 | website=Reuters | date=3 March 2008 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/clash-and-pistols-members-revive-london-spirit-of-77-idUSL29848246/ | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref><!---note that the interview incorrectly cites Screen on the Green - all other sources say Inn on the Green---><ref>{{cite web | last=Gittins | first=Ian | title=Carbon/Silicon, Inn on the Green, London | website=The Guardian | date=14 January 2008 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jan/14/popandrock | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>
Clarke toured the UK in 2014, giving performances which were well-reviewed by critics. On 21 March 2015, Clarke performed at the O2 Apollo Manchester.<ref name="connolly2015" />[[File:John Cooper Clarke (5111742629).jpg|thumb|left|Clarke performing in Bridlington, 2010]]In 2016, Clarke collaborated with (ex-Stranglers) Hugh Cornwell on ''This Time It's Personal'', comprising cover versions of songs important to both of them in their youth, including "MacArthur Park". It is the first (and only) time that Clarke has been recorded singing songs. The album was released by Sony on 14 October 2016.<ref name=simpson2016>{{cite web | last=Simpson | first=Dave | title=John Cooper Clarke: polymath, renaissance man and true enigma | website=The Guardian | date=15 July 2016 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/15/john-cooper-clarke-new-record-this-time-its-personal-hugh-cornwell | access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|nZBH-ArhhyY|Dr. John Cooper Clarke, Hugh Cornwell - "MacArthur Park"}}, 11 August 2016.</ref> He also sings the Conway Twitty song "It's Only Make Believe"; Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector's "Spanish Harlem"; Ricky Nelson's "Sweeter Than You"; and Ritchie Valens' "Donna" on the album, among others.<ref name=luso2022/>
In March 2019, Clarke toured the US to promote his new poetry anthology, ''The Luckiest Guy Alive''. He performed at Joe's Pub in New York.<ref name=int2020>{{cite interview| interviewer-last= Deliso | interviewer-first=Pierre | title=An Interview with John Cooper Clarke | journal=Believer Magazine| issue =one hundred thirty-three| first =John Cooper |last=Clarke | date=1 December 2020 | url=https://www.thebeliever.net/an-interview-with-john-cooper-clarke/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420035902/https://www.thebeliever.net/an-interview-with-john-cooper-clarke/ | archive-date=20 April 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>
On 2024, Clarke performed sets in London, Nottingham, and Manchester as part of World Poetry Day (21 March) celebrations.<ref name=tm/> thumb|Clarke on The Harry Hill Show podcast, 2026 In March 2025, Clarke went on a tour titled ''Dr John Cooper Clarke: In Celebration of World Poetry Day'', including dates at the London Palladium,<ref name=lw>{{cite web| url=https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/john-cooper-clarke/| website=LW Theatres| title= Dr John Cooper Clarke: In Celebration of World Poetry Day}}</ref> Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, and Co-op Live in Manchester.<ref name=int2025>{{cite interview | title="I Was Always Anachronistic": John Cooper Clarke in Conversation| first =John Cooper |last=Clarke | website=Clash Magazine| interviewer-first= Andy | interviewer-last=Hill | date=24 February 2025 | url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/i-was-always-anachronistic-john-cooper-clarke-in-conversation/ | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=youngs2025/> He performed old favourites as well as poems from his new collection ''WHAT''. Special guests on the tour included Guyanese playwright John Agard.<ref name=lw/>
In October 2025, Luvcat, who was named Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2025 Northern Music Awards, shared an anniversary edition of her single "He's My Man" which features Clarke. In the video, Clarke appears as the singer's poisoned husband.<ref>{{cite web | last=Pip | first=Andy Von | title=Luvcat Shares Anniversary Edition of "He's My Man" Featuring Dr John Cooper Clarke | website=Under the Radar | date=16 November 2025 | url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/luvcat_shares_anniversary_edition_of_hes_my_man_featuring_dr_john_cooper_cl/ | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref>
On 24 October 2025, he performed at the City Hall in Salisbury<ref>{{cite web | last=Maddock | first=Isaac | title=Legendary punk poet Dr John Cooper Clarke to perform at City Hall | website=Salisbury Journal | date=11 October 2025 | url=https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/25524851.dr-john-cooper-clarke-perform-salisbury-city-hall/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251011205155/https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/25524851.dr-john-cooper-clarke-perform-salisbury-city-hall/ | archive-date=11 October 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>, and on 18 November 2025, at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells in a performance dubbed "Dr John Cooper Clarke & Special Guests".<ref>{{cite web | title=Dr John Cooper Clarke & Special Guests | website=Assembly Hall Theatre | date=18 November 2025 | url=https://www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/dr-john-cooper-clarke-and-special-guests.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907154006/https://www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/dr-john-cooper-clarke-and-special-guests.html | archive-date=7 September 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref>
===Nicknames=== Clarke is often referred to as "the Bard of Salford",<ref name=bard2015/><ref name=radio4/> or simply JCC.<ref name=connolly2015>{{cite web | last=Connolly | first=Karen | title=John Cooper Clarke: the Bard of Salford talks to Northern Soul | website=Northern Soul | date=2015 | url=https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/john-cooper-clarke/ | access-date=17 November 2025| quote = 23 May 2024, Archives}}</ref> He is also frequently described as a (or the) punk poet.<ref name=nt/><ref name=burnell/><ref name=int2009/><ref name=gill/><ref name=Indy/>
==Influence on other artists== ===Arctic Monkeys=== Clarke's most high-profile fan has been Alex Turner. Clarke's poem "Out of Control Fairground" was printed inside the Arctic Monkeys' 2007 single "Fluorescent Adolescent" CD. The poem is also the inspiration behind the single's video, in which clowns brawl. Turner has said he is very fond of Clarke's work and takes inspiration for lyrics from his poems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_2383906.html?menu=entertainment.music |title=Arctics go for poetry |work=Ananova |access-date=20 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630222600/http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_2383906.html?menu=entertainment.music |archive-date=30 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=lyrical-genius--%26method=full%26objectid=18971986%26siteid=66633-name_page.html |title=Lyrical Genius |quote=Alex Turner also has "John Cooper Clarke" tattooed on his arm |newspaper=Daily Record |access-date=20 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702055131/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline%3Dlyrical-genius--%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18971986%26siteid%3D66633-name_page.html |archive-date=2 July 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
His "I Wanna Be Yours" poem was adapted by the Arctic Monkeys and frontman Turner for the band's fifth album, ''AM'', released on 9 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=586 |title=AM |work=Arctic Monkeys |date=24 June 2013 |access-date=9 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628233613/http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=586 |archive-date=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The track was not released as a single, but went on to be streamed nearly three billion times, and is listed as one of Spotify's all-time Top 40. It is a rare love poem in Clarke's canon of works, and he said that he prefers Turner's version to his own, which had "kitsch musical backing". The song is often featured as a wedding reading.<ref name=youngs2025>{{cite web | last=Youngs | first=Ian | title=John Cooper Clarke: 'A national treasure? I hate that' | website=BBC | date=24 March 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpyjng041o | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251001130037/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpyjng041o | archive-date=1 October 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=17 November 2025}}</ref> ===Others=== Clarke once said: "The only person I've ever been compared to is Alexander Pope... I can live with that. But millions of people have been compared to me".<ref name=burrows2015/> Plan B (Ben Drew),<ref name=burrows2015/> Kate Nash, and Lily Allen have also cited Clarke as influencing their work.<ref name=int2008/> He has also influenced a newer generation of other performers, including comedians and performance poets, such as Luke Wright, Stewart Lee, Eddie Argos, and Rob Auton.<ref name=burrows2015/> Irish musician Grian Chatten, frontman of Fontaines D.C., was inspired by Clarke's work.<ref>{{cite web | last=Clarke | first=Patrick | title=Poetic License: John Cooper Clarke meets Fontaines DC's Grian Chatten | website=DIY | date=13 November 2020 | url=https://diymag.com/interview/john-cooper-clarke-fontaines-dc-grian-chatten-november-2020-interview | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> On their 2020 eponymous debut album, English band Working Men's Club pays homage to the poet in the track "John Cooper Clarke", referencing his poem "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" and book ''The Luckiest Guy Alive''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/music-interviews/john-cooper-clarke-interview-nico-i-wanna-be-yours-2792491|title=Does Rock 'N' Roll Kill Braincells?! – John Cooper Clarke|website= NME|date=21 October 2020|language=en|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>
==Publications== In 1983, Clarke published his first anthology of poetry, titled ''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt''.<ref name=morris2020>{{cite web | last=Morris | first=Kadish | title=On my radar: John Cooper Clarke's cultural highlights | website=The Guardian | date=17 October 2020 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/oct/17/on-my-radar-john-cooper-clarke-cultural-highlights | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=burrows2015>{{cite web | last=Burrows | first=Marc | title=An Aural History of John Cooper Clarke | website=DrownedInSound | date=20 October 2015 | url=https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4149494-an-aural-history-of-john-cooper-clarke | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> The title refers to the fact that he had performed for so long without publishing any of his poetry.<ref>{{cite web | title=John Cooper Clarke – 'full-time loser' from Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt | website=Alex Bickley | date=26 March 2021 | url=https://abickleypoet.wordpress.com/2021/03/26/john-cooper-clarke-full-time-loser-from-ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> The book stayed in print and became the best selling poetry volume of the decade,<ref name=burrows2015/> and was reissued by Penguin Books in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt by John Cooper Clarke | website=Penguin Books Australia | date=15 November 2013 | url=https://www.penguin.com.au/books/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt-9780099583769 | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
His second anthology, ''The Luckiest Guy Alive'' was published in 2018 .<ref name=int2020/> The title of his 2020 memoir, ''I Wanna Be Yours'', was taken from his poem of the same name.<ref name=morris2020/><ref>{{cite web | last=Quinn | first=Anthony | title=I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke review – chapter and verse | website=The Guardian | date=11 October 2020 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/oct/11/i-wanna-be-yours-by-john-cooper-clarke-review-chapter-and-verse | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=wardle/> He said that he had tried to make it entertaining, and left "a lot of stuff" out. It was also released as an audiobook.<ref name=luso2022/>
In 2024, ''What'' was published in print<ref name=bullen2024>{{cite web | last=Bullen | first=Desmond | title='sardonic and empathetic' WHAT by John Cooper Clarke | website=Northern Soul | date=13 March 2024 | url=https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/john-cooper-clarke-poetry/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> and as an audiobook read by the poet with a new collection of poems. Fiona Sturges of ''The Guardian'' described the new poems as "vintage Clarke: full of wordplay and whimsical humour and threaded with sharp social commentary".<ref>{{cite web | last=Sturges | first=Fiona | title=What by John Cooper Clarke review – sharp social commentary from the Bard of Salford | website=The Guardian | date=3 May 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/03/what-by-john-cooper-clarke-review-sharp-social-commentary-from-the-bard-of-salford | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> The book was also reviewed in ''The Times'' by Graeme Richardson.<ref>{{cite web | last=Richardson | first=Graeme | title=What by John Cooper Clarke review | website=The Times and The Sunday Times | date=25 February 2024 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/what-john-cooper-clarke-review-85jm708pv | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
==Television, film, and radio == ===Personal appearances=== In 1977, Clarke was interviewed by Tony Wilson on his TV show ''So It Goes''.<ref name=tm/> He appeared on the BBC2 youth music television series, ''Something Else'', which aired between 1979 and 1982.<ref name=int2013/><ref>{{cite web | last=Whatley | first=Jack | title=A look back at 'Something Else' the only place to be punk on the BBC | website=Far Out Magazine | date=19 May 2019 | url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/something-else-bbc-classic-performance-the-clash-joy-division-the-jam-the-specials/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
In 1981, Clarke appeared as a reflection in a mirror, in ''The Innes Book of Records'', reciting a sanitised version of "Evidently Chickentown".<ref>{{cite web | title=Parodies lost | website=Luke McKernan | date=6 January 2020 | url=https://lukemckernan.com/2020/01/06/parodies-lost/ | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Nissim | first=Mayer | title=John Cooper Clarke | website=Digital Spy | date=24 June 2013 | url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a492858/john-cooper-clarke-six-classic-poems-from-arctic-monkeys-contributor/ | access-date=18 November 2025| format= text + videos}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Do I have to spell it out? Neil Innes own right | website=British Comedy Guide | date=17 November 2024 | url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/comedy_chronicles/neil-innes/ | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
In 1988, he made an appearance in two UK adverts for Sugar Puffs, taking second billing to the Honey Monster.<ref>{{YouTube|6-q8wF-8nBo| (1988) Honey Monster & John Cooper Clarke Sugar Puffs Cereal Advert Compilation}}</ref><ref name=wardle>{{cite web | last=Wardle | first=Drew | title=When John Cooper Clarke appeared in Sugar Puffs advert | website=Far Out Magazine | date=20 December 2020 | url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/john-cooper-clarke-sugar-puffs-advert/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=int2013>{{cite interview |first= John Cooper| last= Clarke| interviewer-last=Sedazzari | interviewer-first=Matteo | title=John Cooper Clarke in Conversation with ZANI | website=ZANI| url=https://www.zani.co.uk/culture/456-john-cooper-clarke-in-conversation-with-zani | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218014111/https://www.zani.co.uk/culture/456-john-cooper-clarke-in-conversation-with-zani | archive-date=18 December 2024 | url-status=dead | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
A live performance of "Evidently Chickentown" appears in the 2007 film ''Control'', with Clarke portraying himself in a re-creation of a 1977 concert in which he supported Joy Division, despite being 30 years older than the events depicted in the film.<ref name=int2008/>
In 2012, Clarke featured in rapper Plan B's feature film ''Ill Manors'' and subsequently the ''Ill Manors'' album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/plan-b-s-ill-manors-set-to-hijack-charts-in-olympics-opening-week__2271/|title=Plan B's Ill Manors set to hijack charts in Olympics opening week|website=Officialcharts.com|language=en|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
In 2015, Clarke presented a documentary on Thomas De Quincey's ''Confessions of an English Opium-Eater'' in the BBC's second series of ''The Secret Life of Books''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.open.ac.uk/about/broadcast-media-sales/tv-sales/documentary/secret-life-books-series-2 |title=The Secret Life of Books (Series 2) |publisher=The Open University |access-date=7 April 2020}}</ref> He has appeared as a guest on the comedy panel show ''Would I Lie to You?'' in 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b065yw3s|title = BBC One – Would I Lie to You?, Series 9, Episode 3|website=BBC }}</ref><ref name=morris2020/> and again in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00134xk/would-i-lie-to-you-series-15-episode-1|title = Would I Lie to You? – Series 15: Episode 1|website= BBC}}</ref>
In January 2018, Clarke appeared as a contestant on an academic version of BBC One's ''Pointless Celebrities'' partnered with historian Suzannah Lipscomb; they reached the head-to-head round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01d09p5/broadcasts/2018/01|title=Pointless Celebrities – Next on – BBC One|website=BBC|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> He has also appeared alongside Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner in several episodes of ''8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown'' since 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown | website=Channel 4 | date=10 January 2025 | url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/8-out-of-10-cats-does-countdown/on-demand/75647-004 | access-date=11 November 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803113257/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/8-out-of-10-cats-does-countdown/on-demand/75647-004| archive-date= 3 August 2025| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=morris2020/> In July 2019, Clarke was the guest for BBC Radio 4's ''Desert Island Discs''. A fan of the show for 60 years, he described it as having "all the finality of a suicide note, without the actual obligation of topping yourself". His book choice was ''Against Nature'' by Joris-Karl Huysmans, his luxury item was a boulder of opium twice the size of his head and his favourite track was "How Great Thou Art" by Elvis Presley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000701x|title= John Cooper Clarke, poet|website=BBC Radio 4| format= audio (44m)}}</ref> In November 2019, Clarke was a participant, alongside Phill Jupitus, in BBC's ''Celebrity Antiques Road Trip''. Four of Clarke's five lots made a loss, giving a total loss of £233.54.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bhhn |title=BBC Two – Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Series 9, Episode 7 |website=BBC |date=19 November 2019 |access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
On 20 December 2021, Clarke made a guest appearance in "We Wish You a Mandy Christmas", a Christmas episode of ''Mandy'', playing the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-21 |title=Diane Morgan goes full Scrooge in the Mandy Christmas special – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/we-wish-you-a-mandy-christmas-diane-morgan-b1979500.html |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=The Independent}}</ref>
===={{anchor|docos}}Documentaries====<!---anchor is for redirect target---> Clarke was featured in a 1982 music documentary film compilation, ''Urgh! A Music War'', in which he performed his poem "Health Fanatic". The film featured live performances of mainstream artists (the Police, the Go-Go's, XTC, Devo) as well as more obscure bands, using concert footage from around the world.<ref>{{cite web | title=Urgh! A Music War | website=wbshop.com | date=25 October 2013 | url=http://www.wbshop.com/product/urgh!+a+music+war+1000179745.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307224253/http://www.wbshop.com/product/urgh%21+a+music+war+1000179745.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search | archive-date=7 March 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
Clarke is the subject of the 1982 film ''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt'', directed by Nick May and produced for the Arts Council of Great Britain and Channel 4 1982.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ten Years in an Open-Necked Shirt | website=University of Westminster | date=1982 | url=https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/portfolio/v5y5v/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> Somewhere between a narrative film, a series of music videos and a documentary, the film features interviews and performances by Clarke and Linton Kwesi Johnson, Michèle Roberts, Jules Deelder, Attila the Stockbroker, and Seething Wells (Steven Wells).<ref>{{YouTube|s1WA55ZA0bU|"Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt (film)"}}. Retrieved on 2 March 2009.</ref> The title derives from the tale of an alter-ego Lenny Siberia ("the bastard offspring of Captain Africa (the lard mogul) and Tracy"<ref>{{cite web | title=John Cooper Clarke – Ten Years in an Open Neck Shirt | website=Genius | date=22 April 2015 | url=https://genius.com/John-cooper-clarke-ten-years-in-an-open-neck-shirt-lyrics | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>) created by Clarke, revealed in a performance near the end of the film.<ref name=10yearsbfi/> The film screened in film festivals around the world.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt| website= Melbourne International Film Festival Film Archive | url=https://miff.com.au/festival-archive/films/16966/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt-john-cooper-clarke | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Ten Years In An Open Necked Shirt | website=Film Fest Gent | date=9 February 2023 | url=https://www.filmfestival.be/en/film/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> The DVD was released in 1983,<ref name=10yearsdvd>{{cite web | title=Ten Years In An Open Necked Shirt | website=Smart Street Films | url=https://www.smartstreetfilms.com.au/catalogue/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909152302/https://www.smartstreetfilms.com.au/catalogue/ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt | archive-date=9 September 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> and the film is available for viewing on the BFI website.<ref name=10yearsbfi>{{cite web | title=Watch Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt | website=BFI Player | url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-ten-years-in-an-open-necked-shirt-1984-online | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
He appeared in Julien Temple's 2007 documentary film about Joe Strummer, titled ''Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten'',<ref name=int2008/> and in the 2009 film ''All Tomorrow's Parties'', covering the long-running All Tomorrow's Parties music festival.<ref name=10yearsdvd/>
In May 2012, Clarke was the subject of a BBC Four documentary, ''Evidently... John Cooper Clarke'', which screened as part of the BBC's ''Punk Britannia'' season,<ref name="Hatt">{{cite interview|first= John Cooper| last= Clarke|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/29/john-cooper-clarke-punk-poet-interview|title=John Cooper Clarke: 'It's diabolical how poor I am'|interviewer-first=Simon|interviewer-last=Hattenstone| interviewer-link=Simon Hattenstone|newspaper=The Guardian|date=29 May 2012|access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref> and featured Steve Coogan, among others.<ref name=youngs2025/><ref name="bbc">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01jcdbc |title=Evidently... John Cooper Clarke |work=BBC Four |access-date=5 June 2012}}</ref> The doco was directed by John Ross, produced by Scotty Clark. It features interviews from Bill Bailey, Pete Shelley, Paul Farley, Steve Coogan, Mark Radcliffe, Craig Charles,<ref name="ad">{{cite web|url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/evidently-john-cooper-clarke-bbc-four|title=Evidently... John Cooper Clarke, BBC Four|date=31 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Arts Desk|first=Thomas H.|last=Green}}</ref> Plan B, Kate Nash, Alex Turner, Miranda Sawyer and Paul Morley;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/qv55t/evidently---john-cooper-clarke|title=Evidently – John Cooper Clarke|accessdate=30 June 2012|work=Radio Times|first=Geoff|last=Ellis}}</ref> and poems by Clarke, including "Things Are Gonna Get Worse", "Evidently Chickentown", "Twat" and "Beasley Street".<ref name=ad/> John Crace, writing for ''The Guardian'', described the documentary as "a film that dealt in myths rather than reality" but assessed Clarke as "still clever, funny and relevant".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/may/30/evidently-john-cooper-clarke-review|title=TV review: Evidently John Cooper Clarke; 24 Hours in A&E|date=30 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Guardian|first=John|last=Crace|authorlink=John Crace (writer)}}</ref> Mark Monahan in ''The Daily Telegraph'' wrote that the programme "veered too close to comfort towards hagiography" but "was nevertheless perhaps a fair reflection of the affection with which [Clarke] has been widely regarded".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9300968/Evidently-John-Cooper-Clarke-BBC-Four-review.html|title=Evidently: John Cooper Clarke, BBC Four, review|date=31 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|first=Mark|last=Monahan}}</ref>
===Use of tracks=== Clarke's recording of "Evidently Chickentown" from his 1980 album ''Snap, Crackle & Bop'' was featured prominently in the closing scene of ''The Sopranos'' episode "Stage 5"<ref name=int2008/> in 2007.<ref name=int2013/>
The song "Evidently Chickentown" (recited by Christopher Eccleston) is featured in the 2001 made-for-television film ''Strumpet'', by Danny Boyle.<ref>{{cite web | title=Evidently Chicken Town | website=Christopher Eccleston News: 'Strumpet' | date=19 January 2011 | url=https://chrisecclestonbulletin.blogspot.com/2008/12/evidently-chicken-town.html | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref><ref >{{cite interview| interviewer-last=Smith | interviewer-first=Rupert |first= Danny| last=Boyle| author-link=Danny Boyle| title=The Friday interview: Danny Boyle | website=The Guardian | date=10 August 2001 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/aug/10/artsfeatures | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> The track is also used in the 2021 two-part HBO documentary about Tiger Woods, ''Tiger''.<ref name=nyp>{{cite web| title=HBO documentary shows the Tiger Woods we knew so little about | website=New York Post | date=9 January 2021 | url=https://nypost.com/2021/01/09/hbo-documentary-shows-the-tiger-woods-we-knew-little-about/ | access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube| MFEUEweFpLQ|''Tiger'' (Pt. 1, 2021 HBO documentary) - "Evidently Chickentown"}}, 19 January 2021.</ref>
== Recognition and honours== By the 1990s, three of his poems, including "I Wanna Be Yours" and "Twat", had been included in the GCSE English Literature syllabus, and he toured town halls performing to audiences of school students.<ref name=burrows2015/>
In July 2013, Clarke was presented with an honorary doctorate of arts by the University of Salford, where he had worked as lab technician in its former incarnation as Salford Technical College.<ref name=hondoc2013>{{cite web | title=John Cooper Clarke honoured by University of Salford | website=BBC News | date=19 July 2013 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-23364941 | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref> It was awarded in "acknowledgement of a career which has spanned five decades, bringing poetry to non-traditional audiences and influencing musicians and comedians". Upon receipt, Clarke commented: "Now I'm a doctor, finally my dream of opening a cosmetic surgery business can become a reality."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-23364941 |title=John Cooper Clarke honoured by University of Salford |work=BBC News |date=19 July 2013 |access-date=9 October 2015}}</ref><ref name=wardle/>
Also in 2013, ''Q'' Magazine named Clarke as its first poet laureate.<ref name=tm>{{cite web | title=The A-Z of Dr. John Cooper Clarke | website=Ticketmaster UK | date=4 December 2024 | url=https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/comedy/the-a-z-of-dr-john-cooper-clarke-63633/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>
In July 2015, he was asked to contribute the opening verses of a poem to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trust's Project Neptune, a campaign to protect {{cvt|775| miles}} of coastline. Members of the public were asked to complete the poem.<ref name=nt>{{cite web | last=Kidd | first=James | title=Punk poet John Cooper Clarke to celebrate his project to save our shores at the seaside | website=The Independent | date=9 July 2015 | url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/punk-poet-john-cooper-clarke-to-celebrate-his-project-to-save-our-shores-at-the-seaside-10379118.html | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> In 2016, Dave Simpson, writing in ''The Guardian'', called Clarke "polymath, renaissance man and true enigma".<ref name=simpson2016/>
In July 2023, Clarke was honoured by Salford City Council with the city’s highest honour, being made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Salford.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bard-salford-set-given-citys-27336957 |title= The 'Bard of Salford' is set to be given the city's greatest honour |work=Manchester Evening News |date=17 July 2023 |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sccdemocracy.salford.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=6958 |title = Agenda of Council on Wednesday 19 July 2023 at 2.00 pm |work=Salford City Council |date=12 July 2023 |access-date=19 July 2023}} </ref><ref name=burnell>{{cite web | last=Burnell | first=Paul | title=John Cooper Clarke: Punk poet given Freedom Of Salford | website=BBC Home | date=19 July 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-66246663 | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>
In March 2025, he received the main award at the 2025 Northern Music Awards, "in recognition of his influence in the world of music and poetry".<ref>{{cite web | last=Roberts | first=Hannah | title=John Cooper Clarke to receive 2025 Northern Music Award: 'I am honoured' | website=The Standard | date=26 February 2025 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/john-cooper-clarke-yungblud-england-mercury-prize-money-b1213295.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250924195303/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/john-cooper-clarke-yungblud-england-mercury-prize-money-b1213295.html | archive-date=24 September 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mulligan | first=Alfie | title=John Cooper Clarke to receive award for his influence toward music and poetry | website=Salford Now | date=26 February 2025 | url=https://salford-now-1.azurewebsites.net/2025/02/26/john-cooper-clarke-to-receive-northern-music-award-for-influence-in-the-world-of-music-and-poetry/ | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref> The awards, which celebrate talent from the north of England, are a fundraising initiative by Nordoff and Robbins, a music therapy charity. The ceremony was held in the Liverpool Olympia.<ref name=tencer2025>{{cite web | last=Tencer | first=Daniel | title=John Cooper Clarke to receive headline prize at UK's Northern Music Awards | website=Music Business Worldwide | date=26 February 2025 | url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/john-cooper-clarke-to-receive-headline-prize-at-uks-northern-music-awards/ | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== [[File:John Cooper Clarke receives honorary doctorate in 2013.jpg|thumb|Clarke receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford, 2013]] Clarke married his first wife, Chris, when he was 21 (around 1970), and they moved to Shaftesbury in Dorset. After three years, they separated, and Clarke moved back to Manchester.<ref name=int2009>{{cite interview |first= John Cooper| last=Clarke | interviewer-first=Robert | interviewer-last=Chalmers | title=A life of rhyme: John Cooper Clarke, the 'punk Poet Laureate', grants | website=The Independent | date=8 November 2009 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/a-life-of-rhyme-john-cooper-clarke-the-punk-poet-laureate-grants-robert-chalmers-his-first-major-interview-in-more-than-20-years-1814712.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213231249/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/a-life-of-rhyme-john-cooper-clarke-the-punk-poet-laureate-grants-robert-chalmers-his-first-major-interview-in-more-than-20-years-1814712.html | archive-date=13 December 2024 | url-status=dead | access-date=11 November 2025}}</ref>
During the 1980s, when he was addicted to heroin, Clarke lived in a "domestic arrangement" with the singer and fellow addict Nico<ref name=comedycv/><ref name=age2009/> in Brixton, London.<ref name=int2013/> {{as of|2025}}, Clarke is married to Evie,<ref name=scott2025/> who was born in the Picardy region of France, and worked as a language teacher.<ref name=int2009/> They married in around 1990, having bonded over a shared love of the French poet Baudelaire when they met.<ref name="Hatt"/> They have one daughter, born when Cooper Clarke was 45.<ref name=scott2025/><ref name=gill>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/archives-john-cooper-clarke-22772362|title=From The Archives: John Cooper Clarke|first=Sarah|last=Gill|website=Hotpress| date= January 2011| quote=Jump back to January 2011, when Olaf Tyaransen met the legendary punk poet John Cooper Clarke in Galway...}}</ref> {{as of|November 2025}}, they were living in Colchester, Essex,<ref name=scott2025>{{cite web | last2=Scott | first2=Caroline |first1= John Cooper| last1= Clarke | title=John Cooper Clarke: 'The shower is the only place I take my sunglasses off' | website=The Times | date=6 November 2025 | url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/john-cooper-clarke-interview-life-in-the-day-kv6pgwvhk | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109091821/https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/john-cooper-clarke-interview-life-in-the-day-kv6pgwvhk | archive-date=9 November 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=11 November 2025| url-access=subscription}}</ref> where they have lived for decades.<ref name="Hatt" /><ref name=Indy>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/john-cooper-clarke-the-punk-poet-whose-time-has-come-again-8165968.html|title=John Cooper Clarke: The punk poet whose time has come again|first=Nick|last=Duerden|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 September 2012|access-date=24 June 2013}}</ref>
In October 2020, Clarke published an autobiography which took its title from his poem "I Wanna Be Yours".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clarke|first=John Cooper|title=I wanna be yours|date=2020|isbn=978-1-5098-9610-3|oclc=1148197088}}</ref><ref name=int2020/>
==Discography== ===Albums and EPs=== *''Innocents'' EP (1977), Rabid *''Où est la maison de fromage?'' (1978), Rabid (re-released on orange vinyl on Record Store Day in 2016<ref>{{cite web | last=Copsey | first=Rob | title=Record Store Day 2016: The full list of 557 exclusive music releases revealed | website=Official Charts | date=20 November 2025 | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/record-store-day-2016-the-full-list-of-557-exclusive-music-releases-revealed__14096/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref>) *''Disguise in Love'' (1978), Epic – AUS No. 100<ref name=aus/> *''Walking Back to Happiness'' (1979), Epic (Live album) *''Snap, Crackle & Bop'' (1980), Epic – UK No. 26,<ref name="Strong" /> AUS No. 99<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=74}}</ref><ref name=simpson2016/> *''Zip Style Method'' (1982), Epic - UK No. 97<ref name="Strong" /><ref name=tm/> *''This Time It's Personal'' with Hugh Cornwell (2016), Sony - UK No. 34 *''The Luckiest Guy Alive'' (2018), Macmillan Digital Audio
====Compilations==== *''Me and My Big Mouth'' (1981), Epic *''Word of Mouth: The Very Best of John Cooper Clarke'' (2002), Sony *''Anthologia'' (2015; 3-CD + DVD), Sony<ref name=burrows2015/>
===Singles=== *"Post-War Glamour Girl" (1978), CBS <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/scbs6541 |title=John Cooper Clarke – Post-War Glamour Girl / Kung Fu International – CBS – UK – S CBS 6541 |website=45cat.com |access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref> *"Gimmix! (Play Loud)" (1978), Epic – UK No. 39<ref name="Strong" /> *"Splat"/"Twat" (1979), Epic *"The It Man" (1980), Epic *"The Day My Pad Went Mad" (1982), Epic *"Night People" (1982), Epic *"Pity the Plight" (2012 ''Ill Manors'' album – Plan B) * "He’s My Man (The Anniversary)" – Luvcat & John Cooper Clarke
==On screen== ===DVDs and videos=== *''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt'' (1982) Channel 4/British Arts Council *''Evidently, John Cooper Clarke'' (2012), Click Films/BBC – ''Evidently, John Cooper Clark'' is a television documentary about Clarke's life. It was directed by John Ross, produced by Scotty Clark, and was first aired on BBC Four in May 2012 as part of BBC Four and BBC 6 Music's "Punk Britannia" season. It features interviews from Bill Bailey, Pete Shelley, Paul Farley, Steve Coogan, Mark Radcliffe, Craig Charles,<ref name="ad">{{cite web|url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/evidently-john-cooper-clarke-bbc-four|title=Evidently... John Cooper Clarke, BBC Four|date=31 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Arts Desk|first=Thomas H.|last=Green}}</ref> Plan B, Kate Nash, Alex Turner, Miranda Sawyer and Paul Morley;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/qv55t/evidently---john-cooper-clarke|title=Evidently – John Cooper Clarke|accessdate=30 June 2012|work=Radio Times|first=Geoff|last=Ellis}}</ref> and poems by Clarke, including "Things Are Gonna Get Worse", "Evidently Chickentown", "Twat" and "Beasley Street".<ref name="ad" /> John Crace, writing for ''The Guardian'', described the documentary as "a film that dealt in myths rather than reality" but assessed Clarke as "still clever, funny and relevant."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/may/30/evidently-john-cooper-clarke-review|title=TV review: Evidently John Cooper Clarke; 24 Hours in A&E|date=30 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Guardian|first=John|last=Crace|authorlink=John Crace (writer)}}</ref> Mark Monahan in ''The Daily Telegraph'' wrote that the programme "veered too close to comfort towards hagiography" but "was nevertheless perhaps a fair reflection of the affection with which [Clarke] has been widely regarded."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9300968/Evidently-John-Cooper-Clarke-BBC-Four-review.html|title=Evidently: John Cooper Clarke, BBC Four, review|date=31 May 2012|accessdate=31 May 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|first=Mark|last=Monahan}}</ref> *''South of the Border – Live'' (2013), Click Films/Safecracker Pictures *''Ten Years In An Open-Necked Video: the (Early) Archive Performances'' (2016), Ozit Records
===Selected appearances=== *''Streets'' (1977), Beggars Banquet – "Innocents" *''Short Circuit – Live At The Electric Circus''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Various-Short-Circuit-Live-At-The-Electric-Circus/release/262345 |title=Various – Short Circuit – Live At The Electric Circus (Vinyl) |date=10 October 1978 |website=Discogs.com |access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref> (1978), Virgin (various artists, features Clarke performing "(You Never See a Nipple In The) Daily Express" and "I Married a Monster From Outer Space" *''Urgh! A Music War'' (1981), Warners – "Health Fanatic" *''The Old Grey Whistle Test Volume 3'' (2004), 2 Entertain – "I Don't Want to Be Nice" *''Poets, Punks, Beatniks and Counter Culture Heroes'' (2010), Ozit – includes rare JCC film footage from the 1980s
==Bibliography== ===Poetry collections=== *''Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt'' (1983), Arena *''The Luckiest Guy Alive'' (2018), Picador<ref name=sm/> *''What'' (2024), Pan Macmillan, {{ISBN|9781035033164}}
===Prose=== *''I Wanna Be Yours'' (2020), Picador, {{ISBN|1509896104|978-1509896103}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} *{{Official website|http://www.johncooperclarke.com}} * {{IMDb name|164824}} *{{YouTube|tVzQQWJxTMQ|John Cooper Clarke performs Beasley Street at Hammersmith Palais}}
{{John Cooper Clarke}} {{Suns of Arqa}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, John Cooper}} Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Manchester Category:People associated with the University of Salford Category:Punk poets Category:English spoken word artists Category:20th-century English poets Category:English male poets Category:Writers from Colchester Category:20th-century English male writers Category:Suns of Arqa members Category:Writers_from_Salford Category:English-language haiku poets