Roger McGough

Roger McGough is an English poet, playwright, performer, and broadcaster. He was born on November 9, 1937, in Litherland, Liverpool, England. McGough grew up in Liverpool and attended the University of Hull, where he studied French and English. After graduation, he taught at a secondary school in Hoylake, but soon became involved in the Liverpool poetry scene, which was thriving in the 1960s. In 1961, he co-founded The Scaffold, a performance group that combined music, comedy, and poetry. The group had several hit singles, including "Lily the Pink" and "Thank U Very Much." McGough's poetry is known for its humor, accessibility, and social commentary. He often writes about everyday experiences and uses simple language and wordplay to create witty and memorable poems. Some of his most famous works include "The Mersey Sound," a collection of poems he co-authored with Brian Patten and Adrian Henri, and "Let Me Die a Youngman's Death." In addition to his poetry, McGough has written plays for radio and television, including the BBC series "The Liver Birds" and "Grumpy Old Men." He has also served as a presenter and commentator for various BBC programs, including "Poetry Please" and "Radio 4's Today" program. McGough has won numerous awards for his work, including the Cholmondeley Award for Poetry, the Signal Poetry Award, and the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry. He was also awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1997 for his services to literature. Today, McGough continues to write and perform poetry, as well as tour and give readings. He lives in Barnes, London, with his wife, Hilary.