John Cooper Clarke, a poet and author born in Salford in 1949, began his career performing in Manchester clubs before signing with Epic Records in 1978. He shared the stage with notable bands like the Sex Pistols, Joy Division, and Elvis Costello, and he achieved a UK Top 40 hit with "Gimmix! Play Loud" in 1979. His poem "Evidently Chickentown" gained renewed attention after being featured in HBO's "The Sopranos," leading to a resurgence in his popularity, and his work is now included in the GCSE English syllabus. In addition to three poetry collections, he published a memoir titled "I Wanna Be Yours" in 2020. Clarke's new poetry collection, "Have It," is currently available, and he will be touring the UK until November 27.
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Clarke recalls a childhood photo of himself dressed as a cowboy, taken in the late 1950s. Around that time, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which disrupted his schooling but allowed him to immerse himself in reading. Once he recovered, he returned to school, finding his passion for poetry thanks to Mr. Malone, a teacher who helped him appreciate poetry as a phonetic medium. Throughout his teenage years as a mod, Clarke faced skepticism when he expressed a desire to become a poet, with both career advisers and his father doubting the viability of poetry as a profession.
Determined, he opted to perform his poetry in public rather than pursue grants or traditional publishing routes. He recognized the importance of presentation in sharing poetry, especially in entertainment venues where poetry was not typically expected. His first paid gig was arranged by comedian Bernard Manning, who initially doubted the audience's interest in poetry but gave Clarke a chance. Despite facing indifference at his first performance, Clarke persevered, eventually gaining traction in the art scene.
The punk music movement greatly influenced his career, and although he experienced a downturn in the 1980s when punk's appeal waned, he continued to work hard. Clarke struggled with addiction during this time, particularly with heroin, which he later reflected on with regret. However, in the 1990s, he met Evie, who would later become his wife, and after going to rehab, his life began to improve.
Clarke enjoyed a revival in the 2000s when his work reached a new audience, with adaptations of his poems by artists like the Arctic Monkeys. He began to perform in larger venues and rediscovered the joy in writing poetry. Now, he reflects on aging with a blend of humor and realism: "getting older sucks – it’s marginally better than being dead." While acknowledging his lack of technological savvy, he maintains a commitment to his personal style and continues to perform across the UK, enjoying both poetry and television, particularly shows like "Bangers and Cash" and "Portillo’s Railway Journeys."
Clarke expresses satisfaction that the young boy in the cowboy costume would be pleased to know he has made a living from his creativity, realizing his ambition for "remunerative idleness."
"Have It" by John Cooper Clarke is published by Pan Macmillan.