Comments on: Joe Strummer dead

Joe Strummer dead

alloneword — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 02:15:43 -0800

50 is an odd age for a rock star to die. 25 or 75 both seem right. But fifty? That's absurd! And he never got round to reforming the Clash ...

By: alloneword

alloneword — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 02:25:33 -0800

Completely unexpected, to judge from his official site. Unlike poor Warren Zevon.

By: black8

black8 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 02:28:20 -0800

WTF?? I'm crushed...I was so looking forward to seeing the Clash perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...damn...

By: Summer

Summer — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 02:50:12 -0800

Possible heart attack according to the BBC.

By: padraigin

padraigin — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:02:37 -0800

"...I'll never forget the feeling I got When I heard that you'd got home And I'll never forget the smile on my face 'Cause I knew where you would be And If you're in the Crown tonight Have a drink on me But go easy Step lightly Stay Free" *sniff*

By: Fat Buddha

Fat Buddha — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:05:32 -0800

Black 8 I assume your Hall of Fame comment was meant to be ironic, Joe would have far too much dignity to involve himself with such cobblers. I often have a go at people for saying some icon they have never met will be missed, but I feel unbearably sad at this news. He was one of the good guys.

By: skoosh

skoosh — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:06:44 -0800

Arrrgh! Too soon, too soon... Joe Strummer was no washed-up rock star. His work with the Mescaleros was great, and he still had the potential to make more wonderful music for years to come. I mourn the loss, not of the past, but of the future.

By: humuhumu

humuhumu — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:20:26 -0800

Now I know what I want for Christmas. An alive Joe Strummer...

By: Fat Buddha

Fat Buddha — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:30:38 -0800

Tribute board at the BBC

By: adamgreenfield

adamgreenfield — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:36:34 -0800

godDAMN it. A year and some ago Joey Ramone, now Joe Strummer. This really puts a damper on what was already shaping up to be a really crappy holiday season. RIP Joe. You'll be sorely missed.

By: maurice

maurice — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:56:52 -0800

Damn.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:57:51 -0800

No.

By: riviera

riviera — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 03:58:31 -0800

There's an awful irony that it was yesterday that we had the top three places in the singles chart occupied by spin-offs of 'Popstars: The Rivals'. Or, if you like, the anti-Clash.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 04:06:56 -0800

Agreed, riviera. That's why it hurts/ sucks so much: he was the only rock "icon" that really was an icon for me. He grew older, but he never stopped. I saw him in Springfield, MA a year or two ago and it was the best show I ever went to, mainly because he cared. Still. No mailing it in in some dingy club in western Mass to finish up the tour and get out of town: two encores, the crowd on stage singing backup the whole time, making requests in his ear while he was singing and all he did was put the mike stand over his shoulder to ward them off when necessary. I was watching The Last Waltz recently and it occured to me there really weren't any rock gods like that anymore, Dylan, Van Morrison, etc. Joe Strummer was the one person that had that quality, someone who transcended music, someone who had more to offer. Thanks, Joe.

By: black8

black8 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 04:41:09 -0800

Actually, I wasn't being ironic. I read in Rolling Stone that the Clash would be inducted next year. I believe the same article (I'll look for a link later) said that when they asked Joe if the Clash would reunite to play the gig he said, "Who knows what'll happen?" I never thought I'd get to see Wire live (whew! glad they got it together) and I could've died happy to have seen the Clash, even if it was on televison...I'm with humuhumu on this one.

By: trox

trox — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 04:44:36 -0800

I am absolutely speechless at this news. And to think all my Clash CDs are 500 miles away while I'm visiting for the holidays so I can't even arrange a proper tribute marathon.

By: 111

111 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:03:45 -0800

Not much to say really. Rest in Peace, Joe. The Clash were the best punk rock band; history will do you justice. We'll miss you!

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:17:00 -0800

And I was gripped - by that deadly phantom I followed him through hard jungles As he stalked through the back lots Strangling through the night shades Thanks for the music, Joe...

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:17:06 -0800

"When johnny comes marching home again nobody understand it can happen again The sun is shining an' the kids are shouting loud but you gotta know it's shining through a crack in the cloud and the shadows keep falling when johnny comes marching home"

By: PenDevil

PenDevil — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:37:31 -0800

Well seeing as we're all posting our favourite Clash lyrics... The kids in the halls and the pipes in the walls make me noises for company long distance callers make long distance calls and the silence makes me lonely.

By: quarsan

quarsan — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:44:20 -0800

White youth, black youth Better find another solution Why not phone up Robin Hood And ask him for some wealth distribution Punk rockers in the UK They won't notice anyway They're all too busy fighting For a good place under the lighting The new groups are not concerned With what there is to be learned They got Burton suits, ha you think it's funny Turning rebellion into money All over people changing their votes Along with their overcoats If Adolf Hitler flew in today They'd send a limousine anyway

By: black8

black8 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 05:49:10 -0800

Every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl Love 'n' hate tattooed across the knuckles of his hands The hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand How death or glory becomes just another story How death or glory becomes just another story 'N' every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold But i believe in this-and it's been tested by research That he who fucks nun will later join the church From every dingy basement on every dingy street I hear every dragging handclap over every dragging beat That's just the beat of time-the beat that must go on If you been trying for years-then we already heard your song

By: nyxxxx

nyxxxx — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 06:06:13 -0800

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS (THE CLASH) This is a public service announcement With guitar Know your rights all three of them Number 1 You have the right not to be killed Murder is a CRIME! Unless it was done by a Policeman or aristocrat Know your rights And Number 2 You have the right to food money Providing of course you Don't mind a little Investigation, humiliation And if you cross your fingers Rehabilitation Know your rights These are your rights Wang Know these rights Number 3 You have the right to free Speech as long as you're not Dumb enough to actually try it. Know your rights These are your rights All three of 'em It has been suggested In some quarters that this is not enough! Well.............................. Get off the streets Get off the streets Run You don't have a home to go to Smush Finally then I will read you your rights You have the right to remain silent You are warned that anything you say Can and will be taken down And used as evidence against you Listen to this Run

By: jonmc

jonmc — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 06:13:40 -0800

The Clash had all the rebellious charge of the Pistols, but with a sense of musical history and willingness to experiment that other punk bands lacked. Plus the songs man, the songs... We'll miss ya, Joe.

By: jonnyp

jonnyp — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 06:33:33 -0800

BBC Radio 2 is playing some Strummer stuff and apparently has a tribute planned for later today.

By: zaelic

zaelic — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 06:39:58 -0800

I met Joe a decade ago when my band opened for the Pogues during the period when Strummer was the front man. A real fine person, nice guy, a true mentsch. Gonna miss him.

By: mapalm

mapalm — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:03:14 -0800

The Clash were my first two concerts. Eighth grade, 1981, Aragon Ballroom, Chicago. Three years later they were back in town (sans Mick), and we ran into Joe and Paul on the beach. Joe drew a mohawk on George Washington, since a one-dollar bill was all I had to get his autograph. To this day, the Clash is my favorite band. I'll miss you, Joe.

By: baltimore

baltimore — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:15:12 -0800

What an utter loss. "Faces of Strummer that fell from your wall And nothing was left where they hung So sweet and bitter, they're what we found So drink them down and Walk out to winter" See ya Joe...

By: mcsweetie

mcsweetie — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:16:27 -0800

oh my god...

By: jonz

jonz — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:17:09 -0800

If only U2 had learned a bit more from them. Or better yet, could everybody stop listening to U2 and throw on some Clash records?

By: litlnemo

litlnemo — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:32:04 -0800

Man. The Clash (opening for the Who!) played one of my first concerts, too. And they were great, of course. He was way, way too young to go.

By: Kellydamnit

Kellydamnit — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:34:50 -0800

He only wanted more time Away from the darkest door But his luck it gave in As the dawn light crept in And he lay on the floor From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear To all of the men who have stood with no fear In the service of the King Before you met your fate be sure you Did not forsake your lover May not be around anymore

By: Vidiot

Vidiot — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:00:30 -0800

I'd post "War Cry", but it's an instrumental.

By: dong_resin

dong_resin — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:02:06 -0800

Just as long as Avril Lavgine is okay.

By: Kellydamnit

Kellydamnit — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:08:55 -0800

Just as long as Avril Lavgine is okay. One more reason to be crying, I suppose.

By: jann

jann — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:09:18 -0800

fuck. I'll remember these things the most I see all my dreams come tumbling down I won't be happy without you around

By: danOstuporStar

danOstuporStar — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:17:21 -0800

crap. i'm just sick.

By: dolface

dolface — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:18:44 -0800

godammit!! wow i'm sad.

By: luriete

luriete — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:45:17 -0800

Well this really sucks. I just woke up, saw this on the news. I just watched Westway to the World on cable the other night. Remembering that I grew up with Janie Jones. I really could not believe this. I still can't. What a crappy way to start a 7 day weekend.

By: apocalypse miaow

apocalypse miaow — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 08:54:33 -0800

The Clash remain the greatest band I ever saw. In the late 70s in London, there was just such a raw energy around Clash performances. We were all still probably naive enough back then, to believe music had a significance greater than reality should have taught us. I wouldn't have missed it all for the world.

By: squealy

squealy — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:04:51 -0800

*Sob*. Bye bye Joe. You made my world a happier place.

By: argybarg

argybarg — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:26:29 -0800

Terrible. It's strange, but every time I hear about another youngish rock 'n' roller dying, I think: And Chuck Berry is still alive. Crazy. All his (metaphorical) children dying.

By: krunk

krunk — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:28:53 -0800

In other music news, Zal Yanovsky of The Lovin' Spoonful died last week. Only seemed to make the headlines around where I live, due to him being more famous for his restaurants than his music these days. While he and Strummer are worlds apart, he was an influential musician who should be remembered.

By: shoos

shoos — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:29:15 -0800

A quote from Bono in the BBC article: "The Clash was the greatest rock band - they wrote the rule book for U2" Sadly, U2 never quite learned to read.

By: ZenMasterThis

ZenMasterThis — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:37:03 -0800

Damn.

By: SweetJesus

SweetJesus — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:45:45 -0800

:-( Back in the garage with my bullshit detector Carbon monoxide making sure it's effective People ringing up making offers for my life But I just wanna stay in the garage all night We're a garage band We come from garageland Meanwhile things are hotting up in the West End alright Contracts in the offices, groups in the night My bummin' slummin' friends have all got new boots An' someone just asked me if the group would wear suits I don't wanna hear about what the rich are doing I don't wanna go to where the rich are going -Garageland Two Ramones, Jam Master Jay, The Ox, and now Joe Strummer. Once Frank Black dies, its all over for my musical heros.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:46:50 -0800

tsk. kids today. using "clash" and "rock star" in the same sentence. no respect, i tells ya.

By: wackybrit

wackybrit — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 09:51:24 -0800

I dread to imagine what it'll be like when Billy Corgan dies in 2037. Er, I mean, whenever. It's okay for Bob Dylan though, I think he's already brain dead, so we're just waiting for the rest now.

By: biscotti

biscotti — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 10:39:19 -0800

Aw no. Joe's music was great, and I was a real fan of his acting, too. How horrible, I was just talking about him yesterday. I hope he didn't suffer. :(

By: furiousthought

furiousthought — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 10:51:10 -0800

Damn. Today just got grayer and rainier. Well, I guess I know what I'll be listening to the rest of the day.

By: scody

scody — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 11:18:52 -0800

By chance or escaping from misery By suddenness or in answer to pain Smoking in the dark cinema You could see the bad go down again... God, this hurts so bad. He really was one of the good 'uns. Thanks for everything, Joe...

By: alfredogarcia

alfredogarcia — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 11:24:51 -0800

LENNON LIVES, CLASH RULE AND ROCK AGAINST REAGAN

By: alfredogarcia

alfredogarcia — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 11:26:29 -0800

Sandinista! The Clash -- Rolling Stone March 5, 1981

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 11:30:42 -0800

The news of Joe's passing bums me out in so many ways. He was a great musician, he and the Clash helped define the concept of punk at a time when I was still wearing catholic school uniforms, riding skateboards through traffic, and climbing over the walls of boarding schools to go see them. One of my fondest London memories is seeing them play, I think it was at the Marquee. Somewhere, I still have the poster of the band that I ripped from the wall of the club on my way out. I met one of my best friends (now also deceased) at a Clash show. The Clash, like the Ramones, was a constant soundtrack to my teen angst, blaring my indifference to the commercial world of pop crap, a loud rhythmic drumbeat that fueled my belief that conformity was evil. It sucks when the punks start dying of natural causes, because one realizes that this means your own generation is starting to get old enough to die, without there being something stupid like booze, drugs, or fast cars involved.

By: trillion

trillion — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 12:02:28 -0800

50 years of age? That's horrible. While I was just a wee one when the Clash were big I picked up on them in my late teens and ended up owning all of their albums. Amazing band. Time to get out the albums for a listen.
black8: great lyrical quote. Amazing song.

By: th3ph17

th3ph17 — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 12:07:11 -0800

damn it all to hell. i hate casually checking in here and finding news i should have known already. One of the three bands that i had every LP of.... farewell joe, may all the young punk bands be half as good.

By: ParisParamus

ParisParamus — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 12:32:01 -0800

Sucks Sucks Sucks. I can still hear the sound of the Clash in the Palladium on 14th St. Time to buy a new copy of London Calling. I want to hear Vin Scelsa on Saturday. Sad.

By: Ufez Jones

Ufez Jones — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 21:00:33 -0800

just, fuck, just ....

By: Joey Michaels

Joey Michaels — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 21:19:53 -0800

What are we gonna do now?

By: LeLiLo

LeLiLo — Mon, 23 Dec 2002 23:59:20 -0800

I'm all lost in the supermarket I can no longer shop happily I came in here for that special offer A guaranteed personality What a fantastic bunch of songs, when London came calling. And what a personality he was. So sad so soon.

By: Opus Dark

Opus Dark — Tue, 24 Dec 2002 01:03:24 -0800

In your sleep, if you're lucky, as you feed from your dreams, you might meet up with the JamJam Machine. He's a limitless cube of bright white noise, and all of them are in there, all the ones you knew and loved, and all the ones you miss, and they are throwing it back and forth, razzling and dazzling each other. As he passes, as he is leaving, he may let you tune to one single light, one single shimmer from his jukebox of colors...but only briefly, until he rounds the corner, and fades into memory.

By: Sijeka

Sijeka — Tue, 24 Dec 2002 06:14:42 -0800

Right. Very bad news. Let's make it a Punk RIP week and listen to the Pistols, Clash, Buzzcocks, Pixies, Stooges and whatever else holding that Punk spirit alive. Speaking of which, someone in France, studying POlitical sciences, has recently decided to start writing a Ph.D. thesis about the role of Politics in Punk music in UK. Can't wait to read it. RIP Joe.

By: psychoticreaction

psychoticreaction — Tue, 24 Dec 2002 09:49:08 -0800

"Were it not for the Clash, punk would have been just a sneer, a safety pin and a pair of bondage trousers." Billy Bragg, who is right about so very many things, is wrong about this. Punk's most enduring cultural contribution is the DIY ethos that inspired young people to make music that really reflected how they felt and what they thought. The Clash made great, great music that was inextricably linked to leftist politics, but that's only a part of what 1977 set in motion. Other bands and artists explored (and, thanks in part to punk rock, continue to explore) ideas that mattered to them. The Clash's politics are but one contribution to the ongoing dialogue. The Clash's most important contribution, IMHO, was their joyous embrace of their contradictory nature: the anti-rock rock stars. "It blows a hole in the radio, when it hasn't sounded good all week" wrote Joe, and he might have been talking about the way "London Calling" sounded amidst all the other crap on the radio (at least where I was) in 1979.

By: falameufilho

falameufilho — Tue, 24 Dec 2002 13:28:54 -0800

I got a much much worse feeling in my gut than when Joey Ramone died on april '01. Not able to elaborate this yet. So I'll just let my inner teenage say "this sucks" Rest in peace Joe.

By: beatnik808

beatnik808 — Tue, 24 Dec 2002 13:34:23 -0800

Dammit all to hell. This is crappy news to hear at the end of the year. At least he went out in his sleep. The lyrics of 'Know your Rights' will be echoing through my ears all day.