Yaphet Kotto
American actor (1939-2021)
Joe Strummer, the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and lead vocalist of the iconic punk rock band The Clash, was a true musical pioneer. His explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude greatly influenced the alternative rock scene. Beyond The Clash, Strummer had an eclectic career, exploring acting, scoring, and radio hosting, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted artist.
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About the Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellorand peaking with Combat Rock (1982), which reached No. 7 on the US charts and was certified 2x platinum there. The Clash’s explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude greatly influenced rock music in general, especially alternative rock. Their music incorporated punk with reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly.
Strummer’s other career highlights included stints with the 101ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Mescaleros, and the Pogues, as well as solo music. His work as a musician allowed him to explore other interests such as acting, scoring television shows and films, and hosting the BBC Radio show London Calling. 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 established the Joe Strummer Foundation (initially known as Strummerville), a non-profit organisation that gives opportunities to musicians and supports projects around the world that create empowerment through music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joe Strummer was a British musician and the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and lead vocalist of the legendary punk rock band The Clash, formed in 1976.
Joe Strummer’s musical career highlights included co-founding The Clash, as well as stints with the 101ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Mescaleros, and the Pogues, in addition to his solo work.
The Clash’s explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude greatly influenced rock music in general, especially the alternative rock genre.
In addition to his music, Joe Strummer explored other interests such as acting, scoring television shows and films, and hosting the BBC Radio show London Calling.
After Joe Strummer’s death, his friends and family established the Joe Strummer Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives opportunities to musicians and supports projects around the world that create empowerment through music.
The Clash’s second studio album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, reached No. 2 on the UK charts, while their later albums, such as London Calling and Combat Rock, found success in the US as well, with Combat Rock reaching No. 7 on the US charts and being certified 2× platinum.
Joe Strummer, known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British musician who co-founded the punk rock band The Clash in 1976, which went on to become one of the most influential bands in the alternative rock genre.
8 Quotes by Joe Strummer
- 1.
I have a weird life because I live on songwriting royalties, which are a strange income. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it doesn’t.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 2.
With The Simpsons you can go back to work with a keen heart.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 3.
I think we’re going to have to forget about the radio and just go back to word of mouth.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 4.
What I like about playing America is you can be pretty sure you’re not going to get hit with a full can of beer when you’re singing and I really enjoy that!
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 5.
When you blame yourself, you learn from it. If you blame someone else, you don’t learn nothing, cause hey, it’s not your fault, it’s his fault, over there.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 6.
Anyway, it’s good to be sent back to the underground. There’s always a good side to bad things and the good side to this is that at least everyone has to go back down.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 7.
Yeah, all those things, responsibility, pressure. It’s a bit stressful. I try and come to terms with it by not thinking about it.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)
- 8.
I began thinking there should be an American phrase book, ’cause I’ve got an Italian phrase book, and an Arabic one… now a British one. I think it’d be pretty good to have an American phrase book.
Joe StrummerBritish singer, musician and songwriter (1952-2002)