Strummer, Joe

▪ 2003

John Graham Mellor 

      British punk rock star (b. Aug. 21, 1952, Ankara, Turkey—d. Dec. 22, 2002, Broomfield, Somerset, Eng.), gave voice to a generation of unrest as leader of the Clash, and the band's passionate, politicized sounds were due in large part to Strummer's commitment to a populist ideology. He formed his first rhythm and blues band, the 101ers, in 1974. Influenced by the Sex Pistols, Strummer converted to punk, and in 1976 he joined Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Terry Chimes to form the Clash. Their debut single, “White Riot,” and eponymous first album (released in the U.K. in 1977) were tinny and cranked-up in volume and tempo, and their stage shows were spearheaded by Strummer's teeth-clenched, raw-throated singing. London Calling (1979) earned them a reputation as masters of a sophisticated, eclectic sound and was later named the best album of the 1980s by Rolling Stone magazine. Combat Rock (1982) featured the popular anthem “Rock the Casbah,” but it was the beginning of the end for the group, which disbanded in 1985. Strummer produced a solo album, Earthquake Weather (1989), appeared in diverse movies, and contributed to film sound tracks, including Sid and Nancy (1986) and Grosse Pointe Blank (1997). In 1999 he formed a new band, the Mescaleros. The Clash was slated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

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