“We aren’t particularly talented. We try harder!”― Joe Strummer ———– “—Authority is supposedly grounded in wisdom, but I could see from a very early age that authority was only a system of control and it didn’t have any inherent wisdom. I quickly realised that you either became a power or you were crushed” |
August 21: Joe Strummer was born in 1952
As frontman and main songwriter of the Clash, Joe Strummer created some of the fieriest, most vital punk rock — and, indeed, rock & roll — of all time. Strummer expanded punk’s musical palette with his fondness for reggae and early rock & roll, and his signature bellow lent an impassioned urgency to the political sloganeering that filled some of his best songs.
~Steve Huey (allmusic.com)
The Edge inducts the Clash Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2003:
Johnny Cash & Joe Strummer – Redemption Song:
From Wikipedia:
Birth name | John Graham Mellor |
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Born | 21 August 1952 Ankara, Turkey |
Died | 22 December 2002 (aged 50) Broomfield, Somerset, England |
Genres | Punk rock, alternative rock,world |
Occupations | Musician, songwriter, radio host, actor |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, bass |
Years active | 1970–2002 |
Labels | CBS, Sony, Hellcat, Mercury |
Associated acts | The 101ers, The Clash, The Latino Rockabilly War, The Pogues, The Mescaleros |
Website | strummernews.com |
John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was a British musician who was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership of The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in addition to his own solo music career. Strummer’s work as a musician allowed him to explore other interests, which included acting, creating film scoresfor television and movies, songwriting, radio broadcasting, and a position as a radio host. Strummer is one of the iconic figures of the British punk movement.
The Clash – White Riot:
“White Riot” is a song by English punk rock band The Clash, released as the band’s first single in 1977 and also featured on their debut album. There are two versions: the single version (also appearing on the US version of the album released in 1979), and a different version on the UK album. According to their respective label copy the single version is 1:58 in running time while the UK album version is 1:55.
Strummer and The Clash were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January 2003. In his remembrance, Strummer’s friends and family have established the Strummerville Foundation for the promotion of new music, and each year there are many festivals and both organised and spontaneous ceremonies worldwide to celebrate his memory.
“If I had five million pounds I’d start a radio station because something needs to be done. It would be nice to turn on the radio and hear something that didn’t make you feel like smashing up the kitchen and strangling the cat.”
― Joe Strummer
Here is an amazing version of “I Fought The Law”:
“I Fought the Law” is a song written by Sonny Curtis of the Crickets and became popularized by a cover by the Bobby Fuller Four, which went on to become a top-ten hit for the band in 1966 and was also recorded by the Clash in 1979.
Album of the day:
Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros – Streetcore (2003):
01. [00:00] – Coma girl
02. [03:47] – Get down Moses
03. [08:52] – Long shadow
04. [12:25] – Arms aloft
05. [16:14] – Ramshackle Day Parade
06. [20:15] – Redemption song
07. [23:43] – All in a day
08. [28:39] – Burnin streets
09. [33:10] – Midnight jam
10. [39:00] – Silver and gold
Youtube:
Spotify:
-Egil & Hallgeir