As John Cooper Clarke prepares for his Irish tour, he talks music, mad gigs, top fashion tips, and giving up heroin

Cork-based performer Wasps vs Humans (aka Carl Antony Plover) is starring in The Nearly Men which comes to Cork Arts Theatre on the evening of Thursday, June 1. 

Frontman for The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell tells Ed Power why he thinks it’s important to have something to lash out against in music

Are you banging out the Christmas 'choons' in anticipation of Santa’s arrival?

Cork-born Cónal Creedon is a novelist, playwright and documentary film maker. His latest book, The Immortal Deed Of Michael O’Leary, is an account of a man from Inchigeelagh, Co Cork, who became a hero of the First World War.

Ian McCulloch tells Ed Power about his dislike of U2, and how music has helped him through some dark days

What is immediately apparent on Johnny Marr’s new record is that there are elements of all the stages of his career dictating proceedings.

Bono wrote a love song for his mother on U2's latest album.

Everything about U2’s new album is unexpected. Like its very existence, for one, after the rock giants dropped it on iTunes users on Tuesday night in a surprise move.

Tommy Ramone, a co-founder of the seminal punk band The Ramones and the last surviving member of the original group, has died aged 62.

Formed around London-Irish brothers Peter and Chris Coyne, the Godfathers are dogged in attitude and sound. “Obstinate little fuckers,” says bassist Chris.

Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, David Bowie and other prestigious artists are set to leave EMI after Universal’s £1.2bn takeover was approved today on condition it sells several of the recording company’s labels.

Tom Waits went for laughs, Alice Cooper for shock value, Leon Russell was quietly humble and Neil Diamond may still be talking following their induction last night into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Al Pacino is set to star as legendary record producer Phil Spector in a TV film to be written and directed by David Mamet, TV channel HBO said.

The legendary producer Phil Spector – who is currently in prison serving a minimum 19-year sentence for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson - has masterminded the debut album of his wife Rachelle, 'Out of My Chelle', which will be released on June 8.

Axl Rose said the crowds have been so loud at recent Guns N’ Roses concerts he can’t hear himself onstage.

Paint A Vulgar Picture - Fiction Inspired by The Smiths, edited by Peter Wild, Serpent’s Tail; £8.99

The Ramones drummer Marky Ramone has exposed one of rock's most famous stories as a myth - legendary producer Phil Spector never pulled a gun on the band.

Italian movie star Marcello Mastroianni, David Bowie, Steve McQueen, Bob Dylan and George Clooney have been named among the 50 Most Stylish Men in the Past 50 Years by men's magazine GQ.

HILLY KRISTAL, whose rock club CBGB served as the birthplace of the punk rock movement and a launching pad for bands like the Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads, has died after a battle with lung cancer, his son said yesterday. He was 75.

Hilly Kristal, whose rock club CBGB served as the birthplace of the punk rock movement and a launching pad for bands like the Ramones, Blondie and Talking Heads, has died after a battle with lung cancer, his son said today. He was 75.

Pop star Avril Lavigne has hit out at claims her song Girlfriend copies a 1970s track by the band the Rubinoos.

Irish rockers U2, R&B singers The O’Jays and soul balladeer Percy Sledge are among five musical legends to be inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the foundation’s 20th annual induction ceremony next year, the organisation announced today.

JOHNNY RAMONE, guitarist and co-founder of the seminal punk band, The Ramones, who influenced a generation of rockers, has died at the age of 55.

Johnny Ramone, guitarist and co-founder of the seminal punk band The Ramones which influenced a generation of rockers, has died at the age of 55.

Johnny Ramone, guitarist for the legendary punk band The Ramones, is in hospital in Los Angeles with an infection related to prostate cancer, his publicist said today.

LEGENDARY record producer Phil Spector, charged with murder in the death of an actress at his hilltop mansion, told his chauffeur that night that he thought he had “killed somebody”, according to a police report.

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana has been named the greatest song of the last 25 years by VH1.

LEGENDARY record producer Phil Spector has been charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found shot dead inside his mansion in Los Angeles.

Simpsons creator Matt Groening is set to curate an American music festival.

Dee Dee Ramone has been buried in a quiet ceremony in Hollywood.

Pop star Dee Dee Ramone has died in California.

Leather jackets and mohawk hair cuts mixed with tuxedos as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opened its doors to honour punk rock’s first generation, along with Tom Petty, former teen idol Brenda Lee and Shaft maestro Isaac Hayes.

New York considers memorial to Ramones star

Singer Joey Ramone, the lead singer of US punk rock group the Ramones - which launched an explosion of bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols, has died in New York at the age of 49.