John Cooper Clarke’s unique poetry was first set to music by producer Martin Hannett and a band of Mancunians The Invisible Girls, and he became one of the most prolific artists of the punk years.
Seminal tracks such as Beasley St featured on the album Snap Crackle and Bop, one of four hit 70/80s album releases.
The song “Evidently Chickentown” became known to a wide audience through its use in the final season of the TV show The Sopranos.
His influence can also be heard to this day in the satirical and keen social observations of artists such as Plan B and the Arctic Monkeys.
“One of Britain’s outstanding poets”
– Sir Paul McCartney
“Fantastically entertaining. As a writer of comic prose Clarke is the match of anyone alive, and his turns of phrase are as sharp as his suits”
– The Times
“An immensely entertaining memoir that fizzes with wit…It’s impossible not to hear him read every word aloud in your head with that unforgettable Manc drawl”
– NME
“Riveting”
-The Observer
Tickets to the Middlesbrough Town Hall event are £27.50. 14+.
