Joe Strummer – Passed Dec 22, 2002

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)

Thanks Joe

A belated acknowledgment to 22 December, the five year anniversary of a tremendous loss. The poet, artist, statesman, deity; Joe Strummer, gone entirely too soon.

His ideals are still omnipresent, providing never-ending lessons and still-relevant  allegories:

‘ In the end all bands influence each other and there are only 12 notes, so there’s is only so much that can be done. But I think that there is definitely still a place for the whole punk, thrash thing. Largely because of two main elements – it’s fun and it’s noisy and let’s face it even vicars must have times when they want to turn the music up.’

(thanks T)

If we can learn anything, it should be that many genres and artists can be connected, broadcasting the same message, albeit in different applications. Me personally, I’ve gone back to such pre-Clash staples as The Who, Bob Dylan and Neil Young. The message is all the same: isolation, fear, celebration, change, acceptance/refusal of change, social consciousness…the gamut.

Essentially, do not fall victim to voluntary pigeonholing. Embrace those artists and themes you feel you may have outgrown or disassociated from for sake of social acceptance. As long as the music isn’t shit, and has a cogent message, reacquaint yourself away!

BA

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