Joe Strummer, lead singer of The Clash, died Sunday December 22 in Broomfield, England. The bodacious frontman (born John Mellor) reportedly passed away from a heart attack, according to a quote given to the BBC by video director Don Letts. Strummer was only 50 years old. Strummer is survived by his wife Lucy, two daughters and stepdaughter. At the time of his death, Joe Strummer was working with his band The Mescaleros on a new album for Epitaph, the follow up to 2001’s Global a Go-Go. With their unique blend of punk aesthetic and reggae influenced rhythms, The Clash elevated punk rock to a new level, slowing down and segueing from the high octane “1,2 let’s go” sound for rockabilly/dancehall hybrid that influenced Green Day, Rancid, Sublime and decades more. In the midst of a brawl at a German club in 1980, Strummer was arrested for clobbering a fan in the face with his guitar. That same year Rolling Stone named London Calling its “Record of the Year.” Punk as fuck? The answer is yes. Joe Strummer’s legendary style, voice, talent, and self will be sorely missed and never replaced.
Source: Jason Anfinsen
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