Ahead of John Cooper Clarke’s evening of Poems and Monologues at the Cheese & Grain on Friday 11th, FromeFM presents an exclusive interview which will air at 5.30pm on 11th April.

John Cooper Clarke first found fame with his biting, satirical, political and hilarious verse delivered in rapid fire style, during the punk rock era of the late 70′s. After touring with most of the seminal bands of the time, including the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, Elvis Costello, The Clash and The Fall he began to draw large crowds in his own right, with the likes of Joy Division and New Order supporting him.

In 1978 he signed a major album deal with CBS, creating cult masterpieces which are still name checked by such celebrities as Bill Bailey, Steve Coogan and Jarvis Cocker. He also released a massive collection of his poetry and words, “Ten Years In An Open Necked Shirt” was one of the biggest selling poetry books of the 80′s and is now back in print due to huge public demand.

With the decline of punk, the “Punk Poet” or “Bard of Salford” also fell into personal decline but conquering his demons and with a recent resurgence of interest in the punk phenomenon, his star has rocketed once again.

Last year saw his film “Evidently John Cooper Clarke” aired on BBC Four and he recently appeared on “Have I Got News For You” and is a regular presenter on BBC 6 Music.

Three of his poems are now in the GSCE syllabus leading a whole new generation to appreciate his work and he continues to write a plethora of new poems and monologues which he performs to adoring audiences alongside his best known works such as “Beasley Street” and “Evidently Chickentown.”

Support: award winning Manchester poet, Mike Garry.
Interview air time: 5.30pm www.frome.fm 96.6FM
Doors 8pm @ Cheese & Grain (£19 advance/£22 door)