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Born
25 January 1949, Salford
With a 1965-style Bob Dylan suit
and sunglasses and a quickfire delivery, John Cooper Clarke
enjoyed a brief vogue as a 'punk poet'. His compositions showed
the influence of the punning wordplay of Roger McGough and also
the tougher 'hip' approach of the American beat. He recited
his poetry in local folk clubs and working with Rick Goldstraw's
group, the Ferretts, he began to mix his poems with musical
backing. Rick Goldstraw's involvement with the independent record
label, Rabid led, in 1977, to John Cooper Clarke recording the
co-produced Martin Hannett single
Psycle Sluts – '... those nubile nihilists of the north
circular the lean leonine leatherette lovelies of the
Leeds intersection luftwaffe angels locked in a pagan paradise
– no cash a passion for trash...'
With the onset of
punk, John Cooper Clarke found himself encountering livelier
audiences when he shared a bill with the Buzzcocks.
The popularity of his performances with such audiences led to
an increase in the phenomenon of the 'punk poet', giving rise
to the careers of such artists as Attila The Stockbroken, Seething
Wells and Joolz
After touring with Be-Bop DeLuxe, he was
signed to Epic, where Bill Nelson produced his debut album
The
single Gimmix was a UK Top 40 hit in 1979. Produced by Martin Hannett and
with backing music by the Invisible Girls, it also appeared
on Snap Crackle And Bop, along with Beasley Street, described
by one reviewer as 'en English "Desolation Row"'
John
Cooper Clarke went into semi-retirement later in the 80s, forming
a domestic partnership with ex-Velvet Underground singer Nico
Into
the 90s, he remained active on the pub and club circuit and
was engaged in various film and book projects
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