Literary phenomenon John Cooper Clarke is a British cult hero.
Known as the "Godfather of Punk Poetry" and the original people’s poet, Clarke's cultural influence spans literature, music and fashion – from creating some of the most recognisable poetry of the modern era, including the world's most popular wedding poem I Wanna Be Yours (recently celebrating over a billion streams in its incarnation as a hit record by the Arctic Monkeys) to sharing his life story through his 120k selling memoir of the same name. Artists including Sleaford Mods and Plan B continue to cite him as an inspiration, and his 'Evidently Chickentown' played out the penultimate episode of The Sopranos to help push his cultural reach even further.
Dr John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s. Captivating audiences with his unique poetry and delivery style, he clawed his way up from working mens clubs and cabaret venues in his native Salford and Manchester to become one of the most prolific figures in punk.
Clarke's early live shows were renowned, and headline gigs were supported by many soon-to-be superstars including Joy Division, New Order and Duran Duran, in a time that also saw him introduced as a special guest at shows by the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and The Clash.
After the release of his seminal album Snap, Crackle And Bop, where Clarke's poems were set to music by producer Martin Hannett, he was firmly established as one of the most important artists of the punk era. The album was followed by the release of his first written collection, 10 Years In An Open Necked Shirt, which still stands as one of the best-selling poetry anthologies ever in the UK, Canada and Australia.
As relevant and vibrant as ever, Clarke’s influence is just as visible in contemporary pop culture, with his trademark look resonating with the fashion-conscious and his poetry featured on the UK national curriculum syllabus. Clarke's 2018 poetry collection, The Luckiest Guy Alive, featured 30 new poems, and his long-awaited 2020 autobiography, I Wanna Be Yours, was received as a groundbreaking piece of literature.
Clarke's sense of humor resounds throughout his career, and his latest live show is a mix of classic verse, new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat.
In 2024 John celebrated his 75th birthday with a live tour of the UK’s major cities – including a show at The London Palladium as well as at The Lowry Theatre in his native Salford. In October he announced three shows for March 2025 to coincide with World Poetry Day. The tour starts at The London Palladium on Wednesday 19 March followed by Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Friday 21 March (World Poetry Day 2025). The Salford legend will then bring his tour home for a historic performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live, where he is set to become the first-ever poet to headline an arena here in the UK.
