Word Down Your Way: John Cooper Clarke reveals “the performing poet’s worst enemy”

[@chitlun]

Great interview, wish it went in for another couple of hours! JCC was the first person I ever saw perform live, supporting Be Bop Deluxe at Leeds Grand Theatre… Not sure if it was 1978 or 79 but it was the Drastic Plastic tour & I was 12 or 13. Never forgotten it to this day. Then, a few years later, someone bought me Snap, Crackle & Bop, which still remains one of my absolute favourite albums of all time!

[@terrybowker8590]

In the 60's you were either Beatles or Stones......you couldn't be both. There was one pub called 'The Black Lion' that a lot of Stones lovers used. Me and a couple of mates used to go in and put 'Beatles' stuff on the jukebox......there was always trouble at some stage. Mad.

[@michaeldunne3379]

JCC has to be about the most interesting, funny, creative raconteur out there. His book, naturally, is fantastic.

[@FretFriendGWaL]

A national treasure among us simple folk who are in no way patriotic. Glad the man is still alive to entertain us sprogs (i'm 59). Saw him in Wakefield 2017: one of the best 'gigs' I've been to in years (and I've been to many great gigs lately). A treasure I hope to see in the LORDS Heaven...

[@SmallChurch]

Sir John Cooper Clarke = a national treasure. Saw him way back in '78 and he just had the audience in the palm of his hand for his whole set... Marvellous man, marvellous character.

[@charliecoutts3003]

You took the phrase out of my mouth mate indeed a National Treasure 😊

[@Efflife.2]

Did you see joy division too??? I wish I was alive then to go to shows like this!

[@RichardMetzger]

Another solid gold winner. I've been bedridden after a surgery for weeks now and your show has kept me from going stir crazy. Terrific stuff!

[@patrickkelly2301]

Effortless brilliance. Well done both.

[@alanwilliams1223]

'In the playground of my imagination that's the best show I've ever seen'....classic! Thank you JCC.

[@PhilBaird1]

Half an hour of Johnny was a real tonic straight after the King Crimson episode.

[@andybetts6584]

Smart clobber smart mind.........what a guy this is brilliant

[@yecatsays]

I love that Clarkey, not being a man with a laptop is clearly doing the interview in a library!! Legend, let's ;eave it at that.

[@trevgoodwin7900]

John you've got a great memory, i'm a fellow Manc and a year younger than you, and love it when you reminisce, your a well read funny guy would love to meet you. oh yeh i've been to the Embassy aswell.

[@paulcoleman3081]

I absolutely effing love John Cooper Clarke. Saw him at Glastonbury in either 1982 or 1984 (hazy days) being erudite and funny and brilliant and working class all at the same time without a safety net of any description. His book is seriously funny or funnily serious, take your pick.

[@chasphilpotts1201]

John Cooper Clarke is a genius - always interesting and funny. The book is a great read, watched this several times and enjoyed it every time

[@billjones3386]

He saw Freddie Cannon live in the late 1950s! Fantastic!!

[@pommycalva]

That’s lovely,Funny guy too.Thanks Guys!

[@alanjones4075]

Wow what a surprise. Great guest.

[@nickcolby1391]

I’m not a fan of poetry but I bloody love jck , total legend ❤

[@BeasleyStreet]

Little did he know that boy that saw Bob Hope all those years ago at The Palace Theatre would grace the same stage...

[@Gary.S]

Great beat poat with great show bizz knowledge

[@wthornton7346]

Legend.

[@charlesmugleston6144]

Poetic Justice A Nations Conscience A Nations Identity Dear John CC, Please could you write a poem Celebrating Scotland and its perfectly natural desire for Independence / Freedom culminating in Scotland ( your discussing The Stones) stopping the Stone of Scone being used at the Coronation Service in May. Keep up the great work.

[@djlewis5149]

Perhaps he could the include Nicola’s camper van

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

Unfortunately the whole country is now Evidently Chicken Town

[@nicholasvipond2205]

Chicken Land. What a guy, what a guy ❤

[@ivanconnolly7332]

Coronation penguin whistling chicken town.