Although best known as the outspoken front man for legendary punk rock group The Clash, Joe Strummer also carved out an interesting niche as an actor once the band broke up. The Clash formed in 1976, and along with the Sex Pistols spearheaded the British punk rock scene. By 1979, The Clash had broadened their musical horizons at a time when most punk bands were painting themselves into a corner. By the early 1980s, The Clash were filling stadiums around the world; ultimately, trying to reconcile punk ethics with stardom took its toll on the band. The original line-up dissolved in 1983, and but with new members, Strummer soldiered on for a couple years longer. Ultimately embarrassed that The Clash had become a strange parody of itself, he split up the band once and for all, and then kept a low profile for a few years. When he returned, he decided to branch out in a new direction: acting. Strummer first appeared on film playing himself in _Rude Boy . After more than 10 years with only sporadic musical output, Strummer returned in a big way with the excellent 1999 album Rock Art & The X-Ray Style. With his new band, The Mescaleros, Strummer enjoyed a strong comeback that put him back in the spotlight. Sadly, just a few months before The Clash were due to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Strummer died of a congenital heart condition at the still young age of 50. His death came as a shock to fans around the world.
Along with his bandmates, Joe Strummer was in and out of jail for having committed minor "bad boy" acts such as vandalism throughout 1977. But soon after, Strummer and The Clash became social activists and headed a Rock Against Racism concert. The 1978 song "White Man" addresses the issue.
Former lead singer/guitarist of The Clash.
Strummer is the son of a British diplomat.
He has been regarded as one of the most talented songwriters of his generation.
Formed Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
At the time of his death, he was working on a third album with the Mescaleros and was collaborated with Bono of U2 and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics on a song in honor of former South African Pres. Nelson Mandela. Song Titled 46664, Mandelas number in prison, the song was performed with Bono singing Joes last lyrics, on Saturday November 29th 2003 at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of the Clash) on 10 March 2003.
The Clash were voted the 30th Greatest Rock n Roll Artists by Rolling Stone.
Mick Jones and Paul Simonon first saw Strummer playing at a show and Strummer, having mistook these scruffy strangers interest, was convinced they were about to jump him. They were actually looking for a musical collaborator and the three went onto to form The Clash.
When he changed his name to Joe Strummer when young, he would no longer answer to his previous nickname, "Woody" Mellor, so everyone knew him as "Joe."
Former manager of "The Pogues".
He was mostly Scottish, part Armenian.
Son of John Graham Mellor MBE (awarded in 1952 for his services to military).
He was a vegetarian.
A pedestrian underpass at the junction of Edgware Road and Harrow Road, West London, was renamed the Joe Strummer Subway in 2009 as Strummer used to busk there. This was the location for the shooting of Massive Attack: Voodoo in My Blood .
I found that I was just hopeless at school. It was just a total bore.
First I passed in art and English, and then just art. Then I passed,out.
People can change anything they want to, and that means everything in the world.
And the pebbles fight each other as rocks/And my father bends among them/Two hands outstretching up to me/Not that I can hear.
The hippy movement was a failure. .
