Dr John Cooper Clarke

Ever wondered whose distinctive voice resonates across the closing scenes of the penultimate episode of The Sopranos? Introducing the UK’s most important and influential performance poet – Dr John Cooper Clarke.

John Cooper Clarke career spans over 5 decades, and uniquely makes its mark across poetry, music, TV, film, radio, literature and fashion.

John shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original punk poet, and emerged as one of the leading voices of youth culture. Thanks to his biting, satirical, political and very funny verse, delivered in a unique rapid-fire performance style, he became a seminal influence on the punk movement. His impact far-transcended that cultural moment though, and John became one of the world’s leading, alternative literary figures, whose work is known and loved on a global scale.

His book “Ten Years in an Open Neck Shirt” is one of the most successful poetry books of all time… His words were chosen by the makers of the Sopranos as the soundtrack to closing scenes of the penultimate episode… He has toured with some of America’s most profound poetic giants including Alan Ginsberg and Gregory Corso… His biopic “Evidently John Cooper Clarke” attracted celebrity contributors from Steve Coogan to The Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner.

His career has spanned cultures, audiences, art forms and continents. All this has led him to draw fans as diverse as Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Madsen and Kate Moss.

Today, John Cooper Clarke is as relevant and vibrant as ever, and his influence just as visible on today’s pop culture. Aside from his trademark ‘look’ continuing to resonate with fashionistas young and old, his effect on modern music has been huge. The Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner cites JCC as a huge inspiration. The band’s cover of JCC’s I Wanna Be Yours has introduced his work to a whole new generation.