WE will miss you Joe Strummer, another great is lost. For anyone who was lucky enough to see him play last year at St. Ann's in Bklyn, you would know that he was still doing great things. Peace out, Joe. See you again.
Damn! What a shame... The Clash were my favorite band in the early days, and I was lucky enough to see them in the early 80s. I also caught Big Audio Dynamite a few years later. We'll miss you, Joe, RIP Tom
A real shame. The Clash, along with the Ramones, changed my life as a kid in the late 70's & early 80's. One day, it was Bad Company, the next it was "Janie Jones" & "Career opportunities." The Clash helped make growing up bearable. I used money from shoveling snow to buy "London Calling." I'll never forget that. When Strummer sang, "This is Joe Public Speaking!" on "Complete Control" on the first LP, it moved me, plain & simple. His anger helped me get over mine. The man flat out inspired me. I saw Joe Strummer last year at St. Ann's as well. Outstanding band. Outstanding guy. The Clash are, alone with the Ramones & Beatles, a band who has a permanent CD slot in my car. God rest his soul. P.S. ------ Metrogo, I'm glad to know you're a Clash fan. All past metro-related arguments aside, I share your sorrow today. We'll argue metro another day. Not today. Merry Christmas to you & yours, but it won't be the same without Joe around. Peace.
The Clash were New York as much as they were London. New York City has lost one of its most eloquent poets in Joe Strummer. Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice) Now lightning strikes in old New York It may be dark but I wanna talk It might rain, it might snow Too many things I got to know If this is spring than it's time to sing Never mind the l'il birdies wing Look out, look out, old New York New York's coming an' New York talks Hey! Strike! Not once... Strike! But twice! Get out your money - peel a slab Roll some notes an' hail a cab Drive in church drive in back Drive down Seventh in a tank Take in the sights, feel the breeze See New York's one and only tree It can be found in Garbage park But don't inspect it after dark Strike! New York! Lightning! Not once but twice. Accidental hike in the transit strike Roller skate or ride a bike Three to a car, Brooklyn Bridge You won't get far if you're privileged Graffiti Jack sprays in black An Englishman can he read it back? Deli Joe he ought to know He runs the gang on Pastrami Row Strike! Lightning strike! Because glass to glass, street to street Buildings touch St. Peter's feet From car to bar, prez to shah Everything is in the jar The 4 winds blow cos the 4 winds know Takes a special hustle to make a roll Honey girl on her feet I wish everything to make her sweet Strike! Twice! OK so roll! From Harlem! Strike one! Harlem slum to penthouse block On every door I already knocked There wasn't anybody that I didn't leave alone Somebody lying under every stone Everything that a man could need In a bag down by my knee That looks good, this ain't got seeds Cheaper than booze down in the bowery Lightning strike! Old New York! Everything's light! Strike! Hey ho such a night I'll see y'all when the lightning strike A polaroid caught in the act You're married too and that's a fact But I won't peek and I won't squeek Down by the trucks on Christopher Street It's Cuban Day - Oi Vey Chinese New Year let's call it a day Tootsie! Hey Chi man! That melody is Puerto Rican Hey Chi man is what he's speaking An' there's the road down into London Town Where many cars get broken down It's the Westway from Ladbroke Grove Runs down to Old Hounslow Just thought I'd mention the new extention That run's down the 59th street intersection Did you hear the news y'all? London Town on the Broadway!
amen, Smith. And everything you said, by the way, was true for me. This is a truly sad day. Merry Christmas.
Hard to say. The Clash was just like an explosion going off in the head. Complete Control ranks as one of my top 5 songs of all time. White Man is awesome. I am so bored with the USA is ... that was something unheard of ... someone actually not liking the USA. London Calling ... nothing I can say about that that has not already been said by better folks. Sandinista. ... Some incredible stuff ... Washington Bullets line "Find an afghan rebel that the Moscow bullets miss, ask him what he thinks of voting communists ... ask the Dali Lamma in the hills of Tibet, how many monks did the Chinese get ... " made me want to find out what they were talking about. Combat Rock was cool. Easliy not my most favorite.
police and thieves in the street ...ooohhhh yeah. i remember the Bonds shows in midtown...cops with hells angels trying to crowd control the Punk rockers,leaflets falling from the ceiling in the club.great shows!
Saw them at the Bond in '81 and B.A.D. years later. Joe was the essence of TOBTM. Along with Joey's death, it's symbolic of the end of an era that really died a long time ago. Hopefully other cultural icons will continue the spirit and social justice leadership that Joe had. More importantly, we all need to take on a greater role in making this world a better place. In the immortal words of that "great" soccer cultural icon, Andrew Shue, "Do Something". i'm afraid we need Joe now more than ever. He will be missed. peter
what's sad and angers me is that in this day and age when something bad happens to great innovators like Joe Strummer, or any band that you can say changed music as a fact, like Nirvana, the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden, etc., it's a sad story...but if something happens to J-lo, or some poosah boy bad, it's a fooking tragedy..... sucks that the media AND record industry is ran by bull shite companies who manufacture what they think is good and shove into the ignorant's faces just to make a quick buck that's my rant, Merry Christmas all
You're off base, PSUdude. The mass media ruins everything. The last thing I want is for Joe Strummer to be eulogized on the front cover of People magazine. Leave that for the J-Lo's and their dumb ass sheep followers. I am more than happy to get on the phone with a friend and talk about the first time we heard the Clash together, or even on big soccer, without the media running interference with my mourning. But I suppose that may be partly a generational difference. I w as born in '65, and didn't grow up with the same relationship with mass media than your generation. I think a lot of people today think that something isn't real if it's not on television. I don't subscribe to that notion.
I know what you are saying. During this year's VMA's, they spent a half an hour spewing about the greatness of Lisa Lopes. There was no mention, even in passing of Lane Staley who at that time also died recently. What gives me hope is that in 10-15 years when J-lo is the answer to a trivia question, bands like the clash will still be molding the minds of the young. Substance will always outlast flash.