When Joe passed six years ago my life changed almost as much as when my brother took a then impressionable 12 year old little brother to see The Clash back in 1979. I don’t think I’ve ever missed anyone as much in my life – the saddest part for me was after ten years frozen out of the music industry by a naive contract signed by The Clash, Strummer was writing and touring again and gradually receiving the accolades he was always due.
Nothing has been the same since; it was the loss of something you can’t quantify but also reminds you of the power and perhaps importance of popular culture/art. Joe Strummer was not a genius or a scientist but he was an idealist and for 23 years of my life I always felt I was lucky enough to be a fan (a gang member?) of the only band that matters – to me the ideal band. My passion for music was nurtured by The Clash, and my idealistic hopes for a somewhat better society was fueled by 4 angry punks.
Thanks as always Joe – you never left.
Tim
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. (J Strummer)
