Historical Figure
Joe Strummer
1952–2002
British musician (1952–2002)
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Biography
John Graham Mellor, known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British musician. He was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of punk rock band the Clash.
Timeline
The story of Joe Strummer, told in moments.
Born John Graham Mellor in Ankara, Turkey. Father was a British diplomat. Sent to boarding school in England at nine. His older brother committed suicide when Joe was a teenager.
Co-founded the Clash with Mick Jones. CBS signed them for 100,000 pounds. The British press called them "the only band that matters."
Released London Calling. A double album sold at a single album price. Mixed punk with reggae, rockabilly, jazz, and ska. Rolling Stone later named it the best album of the 1980s. It came out in 1979.
The Clash broke up after internal fights. Strummer spent years in the wilderness, acting in small films and campfire-hopping before forming the Mescaleros in 1999.
Died at his home in Broomfield, Somerset, of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. Age 50. He'd been walking his dogs that morning.
In Their Own Words (20)
When freedom rises from the killing floor,No lock of iron or rivet can restrain the door.And no kind of army can hope to win a warLike trying to stop the rain or still the lion`s roar,Like trying to stop the whirlwind scattering seeds and sporesLike trying to stop the tin cans rapping out jailhouse semaphore.
Joe Strummer and Bono, "46664", written for Nelson Mandela's HIV/AIDS festival in 2003., 2003
I think that the corporation is running it and will always make it appeal to the lowest common denominator. I think we're going to have to forget about the radio and just go back to word of mouth.
About mainstream radio., 2002
I'd define it as self-awareness: an ability to trust your own judgment. An ability to see through veils of bullshit or spins on stories or propaganda. Maybe an ability to think for yourself.
About punk., 2002
We got all the influences for it [Global a Go-Go] from Willesden High Road. When you go out for milk and cigarettes you go through three countries because all the shops and cafes are playing their own music, like going through hell.
About Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros' album Global a Go-Go (2001) and about the song writing process., 2001
What I like about playing America is you can be pretty sure you're not going to get hit with a full can of beer when you're singing and I really enjoy that!
Interview with Howard Petruziello for the New York Hangover on March 2000, 2000
Artifacts (12)
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