Howard Marks: this concert is not a farewell

Howard Marks, described as Britain’s best-loved retired dope dealer, has made many public appearances since he found himself in the dock at the Old Bailey in 1981, but none will have quite the poignancy of the show he will give on Friday. He has been diagnosed with inoperable bowel cancer, but is determined not to go too gentle into that good night and will duly be joined by a raft of musicians and performers in what will in effect be a tribute concert.

Marks, 69, has been making a living since his release from jail in 1995 with one-man shows in which he recounts his cannabis-smuggling exploits. He has acquired a large following among those who made his autobiography, Mr Nice, a bestseller and then watched him portrayed in the film of the same name by Rhys Ifans.

“I’m looking forward to it for many reasons,” Marks said of the concert at the Forum in north London, at which Ifans will also be appearing, along with Super Furry Animals, John Cooper Clarke, Alabama 3, Cerys Matthews and a host of others. “The quality of the artists, all of whom are performing for free, is astounding. I’m nervous as fuck about doing my particular performance, which is why I’m doing it very early on, so I can enjoy what comes afterwards. It will be my first show for over six months. I am well out of practice but am certain it’s the sensible thing to do.”

Friday, he believes, is likely to be a special night, although he reckons the most memorable show he has given since he emerged from Terre Haute federal penitentiary in Indiana 20 years ago was in Blackpool on 5 November 1998.

“I was on tour doing shows nightly,” he said. “The expected audience turnout at each would never be less than 400 and would usually be 600 to 800. The biggest was 1,700 in Glasgow. But at Blackpool there were 50. I suppose one can blame bonfire night, which I’m told is deliberately designed to interface with the famous illuminations – a stoner’s delight. I had no chance. But I did learn how to deal with a small audience, and that came really handy over the years.”

Of his health, he said: “I tend to live life on the hard shoulder these days and only occasionally venture into the slow lane. The fast lane might as well be going in the other direction. I have stopped taking medical marijuana and I’m participating in randomised clinical trials and must stick to the chemotherapy given me. I’m OK with this as the tumours are still reducing. The strong likelihood is that they’ll start growing again this year, but the longer I keep them at bay, the better.”

Although the concert is seen by some as a chance to catch Marks in action one last time, he said: “I must point out this isn’t meant to be a farewell concert – it’s me trying to get back on the road.”

Nick Reynolds of Alabama 3, who will be taking part on Friday, said: “He’s a one-off, a lovely guy and he’s like family – he was very close to my dad [the great train robber Bruce Reynolds]. It should be quite a night – it’s a last hurrah for Howard so we’re very happy to be there.”

Proceeds from the concert will go towards supporting Marks during his treatment, helping to finish a documentary film, and to the Mr Nice charitable foundation, which will be launched on Friday.