John Cooper Clarke showed up as (usually unannounced) support at practically all the gigs I attended… you know… back then. Or at least that’s how I remember it. Everything about his ‘angry coathanger’ on-stage persona led me to believe that he’d be a pretty prickly guest on Jarvis Cocker’s Sunday show a couple of weeks ago but when it came to it he was happy and open-minded, full of praise for younger artists and obviously still learning, still working. Really inspiring. Here’s the interview:
John Cooper Clarke talks to Jarvis Cocker
And here’s the haiku he read on the show (the only one he’s ever written, apparently). Brilliant:
John Cooper Clarke: Haiku number one
Lovely pic of JCC by Tiger’s Pouch. Used under licence.
Fabulous, just fabulous. What a legend. Seeing him live in a tent at Glastonbury round about 1980 was a highlight in my early life.
John Cooper Clarke –An Homage – Nasty Nigel Lawrence
A streak of piss with Dylan’s hair
Influenced by Baudelaire
Fucking funny when he swears
John Cooper Clarke
He love his lit, he loves a laff
Never writes a line that’s naff
I’d like to have him round my gaff
I’d ask him for his autograph
John Cooper Clarke
Stove pipe pants, pipe-cleaner legs
Not much meat on his ham and eggs
Carve a career from his dregs
John Cooper Clarke
Like Iggy Pop, Marcel Marceau
His name is apt and apropos
Those consonants they kick but flow
A pinch of vintage punk aggro
A poet that you need to know
John Cooper Clarke
His one book is out of print
On ebay it’s worth a mint
Too much if you’re young and skint
Publishers, I have a hint
Reprint Johnny Clarke
I saw him back in 83
With The Saints and Chris Bailey
The night belonged to JCC
Find out what he means to me
R. E.S.P.E.C. T
John Cooper Clarke