Joe Strummer is dead

But who is/was Joe Strummer?

David

Very sad news indeed.

Regards
Steve

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Originally posted by David Stewart:
But who is/was Joe Strummer?

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Follow this link

Regards
Steve

Writer/front man for the Clash

Died age 50, cause not yet known

It seems to be caused by a heartattack.

He was a great musician.

Gunnar

Very sad news. I'll be digging out London Calling tonight.

A great artist and a great bloke, Joe stayed true to his principles right to the end.

He didn't hold with having heroes, but he was one. An articulate, passionate, principled, decent man, Joe made a lasting impression on everyone who listened to him over the years - whether you agreed with his views or not.

Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

What a loss.

I saw the Clash in the late 70s. Although I would never call them real musicians, for sheer energy they where near untouchable. They also managed to avoid the airs and graces that came with success, turning down vast amount of cash to play Lollapalooza in the States. I saw them one Boxing Day for 50p in an arch under, appropriatly enough, the Westway. ( What a great traffic system ( systim? ) its SOO bright.)

The first album, "The Clash", probably helped change the course of popular music ( not to mention myself! ) and is one that I can still drop into and get goosebumps. It was at the vanguard of a much needed movement. Compare them to bands like The Hives and you will see how good the originals where.

The only good thing about this is that with luck, some of their concert footage will be released. If you think that Bhoyo, Gunnar, Liquidken Mekon and myself are just yakking, have a look at "Rude Boy". Forget the film, watch the gig footage.

Rest in Peace Joe.

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Originally posted by garyi:

Died age 50, cause not yet known

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Heart attack, apparantly.

John Entwhistle and now Mr Strummer.

Both smoked a fair bit...

Nothing like making you feel old when your near-contemporaries start to bite the dust.

We still have the music and, in my case, joyous memories of about five Clash concerts: all a riotous blur of energy, noise and flying beer (or in Joe Strummer's case, honey-and-lemon juice). Don Letts' 'From the Westway to the World' is a great documentary about the people and the time and comes as close to capturing the Clash live experience as anyone was likely to. Sort-of recommended is Johnny Green's 'A Riot of Our Own'. A memoir of three years as their "Road Manager" (both an impossible concept and a euphemism if ever I heard one!). It's hardly great writing and I'm not sure of how much interest it will be to those who were not there at the time. One strictly for ageing Clash City Rockers perhaps. For those who can remember the Sheffield Top Rank in 1978 (?) it's irresistible nostalgia.

Most of all, I can thank the Clash for introducing a pale lad from the sticks to the joys of Jamaican music. This gets my eternal gratitude, almost above that for the music they produced themselves.

duncan

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Originally posted by NAIMGAIM:
...evidently, Entwistle was doing some Coke the night he died...bummer!

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not to mention his two, er, companions....respect!

Muchachos

There is a big, and good, article in this months issue about the first Clash album. Seems they spoke to the man himself while writing it. Some great early photos too.

A true visionary - track on the 1977 album entitled " Whats my Naim "

Mike