Joe Strummer Appreciation Thread

[Revs]

In my mind Joe is the perfect rock star and has never properly been given the acknowledgment he deserves. The man had almost 30 years of Rock&Roll under his belt at the time of his death. From the 101'ers,to The Clash, and the Mescaleros he has time and time again provided us with rockin' good times and great music.

He was the people's rock star. Humble and appreciative of his fans. He spent his life devoted to making music that still sounds as fresh today as it did in the 70s or 80s.

His music has had a tremendous impact even today. U2,Rage Against the Machine,Green Day and many more owe him a debt of gratitude. His songs have been sampled many times over, the most recently being MIA's Paper Planes.

He has also contributed music and made original songs for several movie soundtracks such as Walker, Grosse Pointe Blank,Blackhawk Down, Mr. and Mrs. Smith,ect. He has also starred in several movies as well, such as Straight to Hell and Mystery Train.

101'ers
Keys to Your Heart


5 Star Rock&Roll Petrol


Steamgauge 99


The Clash
White Riot


Safe European Home


Brand New Cadillac


Straight to Hell


The Mescaleros

Johnny Appleseed


Bhindi Bhagee


Coma Girl



When he died of heart failure on Dec.22 2002, the world lost a true poet,performer and friend. He helped change the face of popular culture and put a brain behind the rhetoric of punk rock. He went on to prove that you can start with nothing and work your way to the top.

[Tamerlane]

I agree with just about everything you posted and quite agree - I'm a big fan. However...

I was a bit disappointed watching the documentary on him to find out what a colossal asshole he was capable of being, even towards ostensible friends. People are complex and imperfect, so it doesn't impact my enjoyment of his music. But it was a slight downer.

[Revs]

I assume you are talking about "The Future Is Unwritten". Yes that movie did take the polish off of the Strummer legend, but it did make him seem more human at the same time. I was also surprised and disappointed at all the asshole moves he made throughout his career.

[hatesfreedom]

He was the people's rock star. Humble and appreciative of his fans. He spent his life devoted to making music that still sounds as fresh today as it did in the 70s or 80s.

This guys the peoples champion

[Revs]

[OneCentStamp]

He was the leader and undisputed soul of the greatest band of all time. His post-Clash output ranged from good to brilliant, and Streetcore was an incredible valedictory. I can only think of two or three celebrities whose deaths brought me to tears, and Joe is foremost.

[ivan astikov]

Yup, I don't think I've ever heard anyone with a bad word to say about Joe Strummer(as a musician).

He was involved in so much timeless music, it is hard to know where to start in pointing out highlights.

[Lord Mondegreen]

I agree with just about everything you posted and quite agree - I'm a big fan. However...

I was a bit disappointed watching the documentary on him to find out what a colossal asshole he was capable of being, even towards ostensible friends. People are complex and imperfect, so it doesn't impact my enjoyment of his music. But it was a slight downer.

I agree with all of this. A friend phoned me while I was watching it and I commented to him that Strummer was coming across as a total prick. I recall then saying, "Gee, what a surprise, a punk rock performer who was a total prick! What are the odds?"

I still think London Calling is one of the great rock anthems.