The Punk Poet

This week English performance poet John Cooper Clarke appears on the show.

Clarke first became famous during the punk rock era of the late 1970s when he became known as a "punk poet". He began his performance career in Manchester folk clubs, where he began working with Rick Goldstraw and his band The Ferrets. And his first releases were on the independent label Rabid, starting with the EP, Innocents, in October 1977.

He toured with Bill Nelson's band Be-Bop Deluxe in 1978 and was signed by Epic Records, who issued the Nelson-produced debut album, Disguise In Love, in 1978.

With his rapid-fire verbal delivery and stinging social commentary, Clarke quickly emerged as the poet laureate of the punk movement, and he read his work as an opening act for groups including The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks and Elvis Costello.

Recently Clarke starred as himself in Plan B's directional debut, Ill Manors, and performed at the film's soundtrack launch. He also revisited his younger years in the award winning Ian Curtis biopic Control.

Also on the show, Johnnie explores more great tracks and archive for this week's featured album.