My podcast guest on Episode 144 has a completely unique story from music journalist in the time of The Jam to co-creator of a music TV show that has featured Paul Weller more than any other artist.
Mark Cooper is another stunner of a guest, and WOW… What a storyteller!.
We dive in to the early days of The Jam as punk and new wave hits the US, finding Mark as a student who starts writing about gigs stateside. He then lands a job back home for Record Mirror, reviewing albums and singles, interview bands, musicians, singers and songwriters including Paul Weller in a wonderful interview with the headline of The Jam: Whine, Women and Song in the issue published on 17 July 1982
We also dig in to the incredible story of Later… with Jools Holland.
Mark is the co-creator and founding producer of the show and of the annual Hootenanny, booking and shaping both for 26 years without missing a single recording. So we hear all about it’s creation to it’s build into a musical and TV institution…. and so many stories of appearances and collaborations from our podcast subject – Paul Weller…
Later has been such an important TV show for me… it has revolutionized the way live music is presented on television by featuring a diverse range of artists from various genres and backgrounds. It has always provided a platform for both established acts and emerging talent, fostering a sense of musical discovery for viewers. The show’s intimate and stripped-down performances capture the raw energy and authenticity of live music, allowing artists to showcase their artistry in a more intimate setting. It has consistently championed musical diversity, bridging gaps between genres and exposing audiences to a wide array of musical styles, ultimately shaping the musical landscape and inspiring future generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
Mark also led the BBC’s TV coverage of Glastonbury from a muddy 1997 until a locked down 20020 and executive producer over 250 BBC music documentaries including the Britannia and America strands and the year-by-year Top of the Pops histories.
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EP144 – Mark Cooper – Co-creator 'Later… with Jools Holland' + Record Mirror Music Journalist – Paul Weller Fan Podcast : Desperately Seeking Paul
Book – Later … With Jools Holland: 30 Years of Music, Magic and Mayhem
You can buy the book at amzn.to/3NlmkUh
This first-hand account of the BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland takes you behind the scenes of one of the world’s great musical meeting places. Legends including Sir Paul McCartney, Mary J. Blige and David Bowie found a regular welcome, alongside the next generation of superstars including Adele, Ed Sheeran and Amy Winehouse.
Written by the show’s co-creator and 26-year showrunner, music journalist Mark Cooper, this is the story of how Later… grew into a musical and TV institution.
Record Mirror – Mark’s first review of The Jam
The Jam: Whine, Women and Song
Scan from Lawrence Prior
1993 – Paul’s first performance on Later…
Series 2, Episode 9 – Paul Weller / Clannad / The Jesus and Mary Chain / A.J. Croce / Lena Fiagbe
1995 – Stanley Road on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 5, Episode 4 – 3 June 1995 Supergrass / Paul Weller with Carleen Anderson and Jhelisa Anderson / Joan Armatrading / Scott Walker / Baaba Maal / The Vulgar Boatmen
1996 – Later Presents Paul Weller in Concert
Jools Holland presents a Paul Weller special with songs from solo albums and classic tracks from The Jam and The Style Council.
1996 – Paul Weller with Ocean Colour Scene on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 7, Episode 3, 25 May 1996 – Ocean Colour Scene with Paul Weller and Rico / Ice-T / Everclear / Cowboy Junkies / Morcheeba / The Tony Rich Project
31 Dec 1996 – Jools’ 4th Annual Hootenanny – Will It Go Round in Circles
31 December 1996 – Manic Street Preachers / Paul Weller / Lighthouse Family / Mick Hucknall / Cassandra Wilson / Mike Henderson / Gilson Lavis / Steve White / Charlie Watts / Kenickie
1997 – Heavy Soul LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 10, Episode 5 – 29 November 1997 Paul Weller / Björk / Afro Celt Sound System / Superstar / Carleen Anderson
2000 – Later… 100th Episode
Series 15, Episode 1, 15 April 2000 Paul Weller / Moloko / Liberace / Idlewild / Kirsty MacColl
2002 – Days of Speed – Live Acoustic – Jools Holland Special
2002 – Illumination LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 20, Episode 2, 25 October 2002 – Queens of the Stone Age / Beth Gibbons and Rustin’ Man / Paul Weller / Orchestra Baobab / Aqualung / Nickel Creek
2005 – As Is Now LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 26, Episode 4, 11 November 2005 – Santana / Bettye LaVette / Sheryl Crow / Paul Weller / Sigur Rós / John Cale
2006 – Paul Weller & Amy Winehouse – Jools’ 14th Annual Hootenanny
31 December 2006 – The Kooks / The Zutons / Seasick Steve / Marc Almond / Paul Weller / Adrian Edmondson / Jools Holland / Madeleine Peyroux / Lily Allen / Sam Moore / Ray LaMontagne / Amy Winehouse / Kate Rusby / James Mass
2008 – 22 Dreams – BBC Four Sessions (Mark Cooper, Exec Producer)
2008 – 22 Dreams LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 32, Episode 8 – 20 May 2008 Paul Weller / Jimmy Cliff / Martha Wainwright / White Lies / Yoav / Tricky
2010 – Wake Up The Nation LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 36, Episode 1 -16 April 2010 – Paul Weller / Paul Rodgers / Marina and the Diamonds / Hot Chip / Polar Bear / Gogol Bordello / Villagers
2012 – Sonik Kicks LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 40, Episode 1, 20 April 2012 – Paul Weller / The Maccabees / Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves Of Destiny / Céu / Paul Buchanan / Willis Earl Beal
2015 – Saturns Pattern LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 46, Episode 5, 12 May 2015 – Paul Weller / Father John Misty / Lianne La Havas / Curtis Harding / The Hot Sardines / SOAK
31 Dec 2015 – Jools’ 23rd Annual Hootenanny – Paul Weller & Tom Jones
Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra / Sir Tom Jones / Jess Glynne / Paul Weller / Hozier / James Bay / Future Islands / Jeff Beck / Beth Hart / KT Tunstall / Rhiannon Giddens / Pauline Black & Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson / Ruby Turner / The Pipes and Drums, 1st Battalion Scots Guards
31 Dec 2015 – Jools’ 23rd Annual Hootenanny – Paul Weller – Start!
2017 – A Kind Revolution LP on Later… with Jools Holland
Series 50, Episode 6 – 16 May 2017 – Paul Weller / alt-J / Dave / Little Dragon / Maggie Rogers / Naturally 7
2016 – Paul Weller – Wild Wood – Later 25 live at the Royal Albert Hall
Later… with Jools Holland comes to the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 21 September 2017, to celebrate 25 years, 50 series and over 360 episodes of the iconic music television show with one special concert!
2018 – Paul Weller – Gravity – Later… with Jools Holland
Series 53, Episode 4, 16 October 2018 Sigrid / Paul Weller / Jacob Banks / Villagers / Joe Bonamassa / Octavian / Rosalía
2021 – Paul Weller – Glad Times
Series 57, Episode 4, 12 March 2021 – Laura Mvula / Dry Cleaning / Paul Weller
Mark Cooper had moved on as showrunner by this point, but it’s another Later… highlight so I wanted to share it on this page too…
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