Spike Hawkins Explained
Spike Hawkins (1943-2017) was a British poet, best known for his "Three Pig Poems",[1] included in his one book, the Fulcrum Press collection The Lost Fire-Brigade (1968). He was part of the poetry scene in Liverpool during the 1960s and much of his output upholds the values of that group; short, modernistic, humorous pieces of free verse. He was published in Encounter, International Times,[2] The Guardian and in the 1972 anthology The Old Pals' Act, edited by Pete Brown.[3]
He was a friend of Johnny Byrne; together, they formed the surreal act "Poisoned Bellows".[4] [5] He was a friend of Syd Barrett, a founder of Pink Floyd.[6] Hawkins continued to be active, for example performing in the 2005 Poetry Olympics at the Royal Albert Hall,[7] [8] having originally performed there in the International Poetry Incarnation in 1965.[9]
Also a mimic, he could imitate Harold Wilson very well.[10]
See also
References
Notes and References
- http://www.porkopolis.org/library/pig-poetry/spike-hawkins/ "Hawkins, Spike", Porkopolis.
- http://www.international-times.org.uk/ARCHIVE.HTM International Times Archive 1966-2005.
- http://www.books-by-isbn.com/0-85031/0850310164-The-Old-Pals-Act-Libby-Houston-Gillian-Barron-Spike-Hawkins-Heather-Holden-Alan-Jackson-Ted-Milton-Brian-Patten-0-85031-016-4.html "The Old Pals' Act", http://www.books-by-isbn.com/
- https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/25/television.bbc Gavin Gaughan, Johnny Byrne obituary, The Guardian, 25 April 2008.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/johnny-byrne-writer-of-feelgood-tv-dramas-826279.html Anthony Hayward, "Johnny Byrne: Writer of feelgood TV dramas"
- https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/may/08/syd-barrett-rob-chapman-review Toby Litt, "Syd Barrett: A Very Irregular Head by Rob Chapman", The Guardian, 8 May 2010.
- http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050928/ai_n15615719 Independent article
- http://www.edwinmorgan.com/news_poetryolympics.html "Poetry Olympics Twenty05 Celebrates Three Birthdays with a Jamboree of Stellar Performances at the Royal Albert Hall"
- http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/walking-to-the-beat-of-a-new-waste-land-an-interview-with-michael-horovitz/ Sophie Parkin, "Walking to the beat of a new waste land: an interview with Michael Horovitz", 3:AM Magazine
- The Guardian, 16 November 2000, p. 17.
