From that auspicious initial plunge into the murky maelstrom of rock'n'roll onwards, the boy Clark (he still likes to be called that) moved onwards and upwards, surfacing, literally, in the volatile whirlpool that was Radio Caroline - Britain's pioneering seafaring pirate radio station of the 60's and 70's. There are those who claim that he was there just to make the fabled Irish MD, Ronan O'Rahilly's, breakfast, but we can refute that contention absolutely - it was his lunch, since the great O'Rahilly never got up before 1 o'clock in the afternoon. (N.B. Our legal advisers have advised us to point out that this is a complete fabrication, here only because it fits the joke and is therefore meant to be funny).

On air, Clark developed a strong, individual style that won him legions of fans - and not just in the Outer Hebrides.

Having flown the Jolly Roger on the open seas, it was a natural progression for Stuart to move to Ireland when the pirate movement was in full flood here - and he has never looked back.

Having done a stint with ABC in Waterford, Clark moved to Limerick, where he featured on a number of local pirates. Then when the IRTC dispensed the first round of radio licenses, in 1988, he embarked on a period with Radio Limerick. He also began his journalistic career with the Limerick Echo, drawing on his vast knowledge and experience of music to produce what was indisputably one of the finest columns in any of the (so-called) provincial newspapers at the time.

Stuart hooked up to the Dublin scene by contributing to Hot Press, and he made such an impression with the interviews and reviews that he handled in the capital of the Mid-West, that it wasn't long before he was lured to the Eastern seaboard, to join the team at HP HQ.

Since he made the move, Clark has established a reputation as one of the sharpest and most respected commentators in the game. As news editor of Hot Press, he has a central role in the production of the magazine. But he has also undertaken some of Hot Press' most important interviews, among them the
intimate and revealing tete-a-tete with Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, that features in the Christmas 2001 edition of the magazine (with The Corrs on the front cover).

Along the way, Clark has crossed swords in interview with stars of the caliber of The Manic Street Preachers, The Charlatans, Joe Strummer, Dolores O'Riordan, Ash, David Holmes and Lemmy from Motorhead - one of his most important influences! - to name just a sprinkling. He remains one of the finest rock broadcasters operating in this neck of the woods and is a regular contributor to a variety of RTE shows, including Gerry Ryan and the Vinyl Curtain. He is also a club DJ of some renown - though this impeccable pedigree is somewhat undermined by the fact that he is a staunch supporter of Everton, a club shunned by right-thinking football
followers, of taste and discretion, all over the world.

The mainman at the HotPress.com news desk, Stuart is a crucial component of the Hot Press team. Just why he is, will be obvious to anyone who reads the selection of his pieces that have been singled out for this particular short but invigorating trip through the back pages of Hot Press. Take it away, Stuart!

Havana damn good time: Stuart Clark in Cuba with the Manic Street Preachers click here

White Rose: Dave O'Leary talks about Leeds, Ireland and (of course) Jack Charlton click here

Teenage Warrior: An 18 year old Tim Wheeler contemplates Kung Fu, Heavy Metal and Elastica click here

It's Grim Up North: Ballymena's descent into the hell of a heroin epidemic click here