Joe Strummer

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Joe Strummer, born John Graham Mellor in Ankara in 1952, was a British musician and co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and singer of the punk band The Clash. His mother was Scottish and his father English. He loved Little Richard, the Beach Boys and Woody Guthrie. After school he studied at an art school in London, played in a band in Wales in 1973 and took his stage name in 1975. He became the singer of the 101ers.

Music and breakthrough

In 1976 he saw the Sex Pistols supporting the 101ers. Shortly afterwards Bernie Rhodes and Mick Jones asked him to be their singer. He left the 101ers and, with Jones, bassist Paul Simonon and others, formed The Clash. Their lyrics were about social decay, unemployment, racism, police violence and militarism. Strummer supported Rock Against Racism and the Anti-Nazi League. London Calling was chosen by Rolling Stone as the best album of the 1980s. In 1982 he disappeared before the release of Combat Rock, and in 1983 he threw Mick Jones out of the band. In 1986 The Clash came to an end.

Influence

Afterwards he worked on films, such as Sid and Nancy and Walker, appeared in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train and toured with The Pogues. His 1989 solo album Earthquake Weather flopped. Later he founded the Mescaleros and presented the BBC radio programme London Calling. He died in 2002 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Clash in 2003.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1987Walker (soundtrack)
• 1989Earthquake Weather