Barker, Les

(1947- )

   Les Barker, from Manchester, England, is most well known for his comic poetry and parodies of popular songs. He worked as an accountant before he began playing folk music venues with "The Mrs. Ackroyd Band" (named after his mongrel dog, Mrs. Ackroyd). He has toured solo around the world and published dozens of books and many albums. His books are a mixture of monologues and comic songs, with a few serious songs. Barker created several characters, such as "Jason and the Arguments," "Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower" and "Captain Indecisive." The titles of some of his poems indicate his turn of phrase and his obvious love of dogs: "A Cardi and Bloke," "Al Satians to Crewe," "An Infinite Number of Occasional Tables," "Collieflowers," "Endurance," "First They Came for the Mime Artists," "Get a Dog and Barker Yourself," "Irritable Bow-Wow Syndrome," "Camel Ye Faithful," "Reign of Terrier," "Royders of the Lost Ack," "Spaniel in the Lion's Den," "The Beagle has Landed," "Up the Creek Without a Poodle," "Wolf hound Amadeus Mozart."

   Sources: Les Barker Books (www.waterbug.com). Poems and Writings from Les Barker (www.blodtandsmidigt.com/LesBarker/LesBarker.html)