One of the most influential figures in Manchester’s cultural history, John Cooper Clarke, is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Salford.
The 64-year-old punk poet was born and bred in Salford and was a key figure in 1970s youth culture.
Clarke is hailed as an influence on some of the Britain’s greatest contemporary artists including Steve Coogan, Bill Bailey, Jarvis Cocker, and the Arctic Monkeys.
“I am very proud to receive an honorary doctorate from Salford University; the city where I was born and grew up,” Clarke said.
“I am very much looking forward to using the title ‘The Doc’.”
Clarke’s poetry is delivered in a rapid fire fashion and through satirical verses he was able to capture the political mood of the punk and new wave movements of the 70s and 80s.
Known as ‘the Bard of Salford’, Clarke began his career by touring with some of the best known names in contemporary music history such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Elvis Costello.
However, before making his name as a performance poet, Clarke also worked as a laboratory technician at the Salford Technical Institute which later merged with Salford University.
“There have been lots of positive changes since I worked at Salford Tech in the 70s,” he added.
“I am pleased to be known as Salford’s Bard and to have helped put it on the map.”
Image courtesy of BBC via Flickr, with thanks
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