The ‘Bard of Salford’, Dr John Cooper Clarke, is set to receive the Freedom of the City honour.
The Higher Broughton poet of the punk and post-punk era, Dr Cooper Clarke, will receive the recognition at an exclusive ceremony held at Swinton Civic Centre, tomorrow (Wednesday 19 July).
Clarke will be joining names such as aid worker Alan Henning, and artist Harold Riley in Salford’s prestigious recipients of the Freedom of the City award. The nomination follows his honorary doctorate from Salford University in 2013.
The punk poet’s career has spanned more than 50 years, being credited with inspiring artists from comedian Bill Bailey to Arctic Monkeys who reached one billion streams with their cover of Clarke’s poem, I Wanna Be Yours on their 2013 album, AM. His most famous work include ‘Evidently Chickentown’, ‘Snap Crackle and Bop’, and ‘I Wrote the Songs’.
Born in 1949, John became interested in poetry after being inspired by his English teacher and has performed on the same bill as bands such as Sex Pistols, Joy Division and Buzzcocks throughout the 70s punk rock era.
Next year will see Dr Clarke return to Salford’s stages in a two-day stunt at The Lowry with his ‘Get Him Whilst He’s Still Alive’ tour.
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