The Clash changed forever and influenced not only punk rock, but also new wave and the spheres of grunge and alternative rock. Beginning as pioneers of punk in the original wave of British mid-punk rock in the late 1970s, the band showed their willingness to experiment that ushered in the new wave and eras of alternative rock. And, as is true with any worthwhile punk rocker, The Clash openly and explosively commented on a number of socio-political issues.
The main man behind these comments was the founding member, rhythm guitarist, lyricist and singer. Joe Strummer. Today, December 22, marks 17 years since Joe died suddenly at age 50, from an undiagnosed congenital heart disease.
Strummer was born John Graham Better on 21 August 1952 in Ankara, Turkey, as his father was a British foreign service officer. Forever a punk icon, Strummer was surprisingly influenced by The Beach Boys, saying they were the reason he played music. This may explain the trend towards experimentation with Strummer and The Clash, which began to develop while recording his 1979 album. London Calling.
But the record did not come out in the United States until January 1980. The Clash would travel the United States shortly thereafter. On March 8, 1980 the band performed at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, New Jersey. The concert is The Clash at the height of its powers. Luckily, the video for the show has survived for posterity and reads like a plan in building the bridge that would connect punk with the new wave and grunge. To remember Joe, check out the full show via the live video file from JamBase:
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[Originally Published: December 22, 2019]