Joe Strummer Dead-Age 50

ABC Radio News | self

[Musket]

Just heard on the radio that Joe Strummer was found dead, presumably of a heart attack.

RIP Joe.

[JoeSixPack1]

And he is who??

[Musket]

I guess I should mention that he was the singer for the late '70s and early '80s English Punk band the Clash. Recently you may have heard their hit "London Calling" on a Jaguar commercial.

[KneelBeforeZod]

<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/23/britain.strummer/index.html> story on cnn</a>

[Musket]

ping for reply #3.

[KneelBeforeZod]

story on cnn

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Like John Entwistle's heart attack?

[Musket]

ahhh.....maybe.

[Skip Ripley]

I would have thought that the heroin using Topper Headon would have gone first from the Clash.

[Pard]

Maybe you shouldn't mention that one of Strummer & the Clash's best albums is called "Sandinista!"

[Skooz]

Actually, I read that "Sandinista!" was probably The Clash's worst album.

[Musket]

Didn't know he was a junkie. I know very little about them since I stopped paying attention to them way back in the '80s. If any of our British friends have any info/insight or dirt, post away! The punks are dropping, Joey, then Dee-Dee and now Strummer.

[Pard]

His death is also significant because one of his songs contains references to jet fighters & "rocking the casbah." It could be a potential theme song for the U.S.-led crushing of Iraq.

[Musket]

"Sandinista!" was a departure for them A double album, it was more laid back and dub-reggae style. I actually kinda liked it but yeah, I think it was a commercial failure.

[PleaseNoMore]

"Sharif don't like it...rocking the casbah"

Hmmm, never thought of that song as a war anthem! Now that you mention it it fits.

[Skooz]

I remember when it was released. I considered buying it, but it being a double-album made it twice as expensive. Back then, I had to REALLY want a double album to shell out the bucks for it. I know it was a commercial flop, but the critics also panned it for being overblown and bloated, stretching out 15 minutes inspiration over four album sides. I never sat down and listened to the whole thing, so I couldn't make a judgement based upon anything but what I have heard and read others say.

[Washington at Morristown]

Like John Entwistle's heart attack?

Hmmmmm, I thought Strummer was anti-drug. I knew that Topper had heroin problems, and that Mick Jones was possibly kicked out for his drug problems...anyway, sad day for punk rock...I saw Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros last year and they were rockin'!

[JoeGar]

In twenty years, the "oldies" radio stations will play no songs from the 1990s.

[Musket]

More images here.

[mr.pink]

"Sandinista!" was a departure for them A double album,

Actually, "Sandinista" was a triple LP. If had been a double, it would have been rock solid.

I heard that the Clash wanted out of their record deal and at the time were contracted for three more albums. They knocked out "Sandinista" with the idea that the three album LP would finsh the deal...but the studio said no...and counted it as one LP.

Rest in Peace Joe Strummer.