Musicians - The Clash

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	Musicians - The Clash

The Clash was one of the most successful British punk rock groups that existed from 1976 to 1986. They incorporated punk, reggae, rockabilly, and eventually many other music styles into their repertoire. They were also legendary for uncommonly intense stage performances.

From their earliest days as a band, The Clash stood apart from their peers with their musicianship, as well as their lyrics; the passionate, righteous political idealism in the lyrics by frontmen Joe Strummer and Mick Jones contrasted with the nihilism of the Sex Pistols and the simplicity of The Ramones.

The Clash's attitude and style, as much as their music, has influenced countless bands in all genres of music.

Members

Main lineup

Joe Strummer
- rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1976-1985)
Mick Jones - lead guitar, vocals (1976-1983)
Paul Simonon
- bass guitar, vocals (1976-1985)
Topper Headon - drums and percussion (1977-1982)

Other members

Keith Levene - lead guitar (1976)
Nick Sheppard - guitar (1983-1985)
Vince White - guitar (1983-1985)
Terry Chimes
- drums (1976-1977, 1982)
Rob Harper - drums (1976-1977)
Pete Howard - drums (1983-1985)

History

(1976-1978) Line-up and early days

Originally composed of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Keith Levene and Terry Chimes (credited on the first LP as "Tory Crimes"), the Clash formed in London in 1976 during the first wave of British punk. Levene (later of Public Image Limited) was an early guitarist and songwriter with The Clash, but he never recorded with the band and left under ambiguous circumstances after only five gigs.

Strummer had previously been in the pub rock act The 101'ers (his stage name at this point was Woody Mellor; soon he would rebrand himself "Joe Strummer"), and Jones and Simonon were (briefly) in legendary proto-punk band London SS. At the behest of manager Bernie Rhodes, Jones, Levene and Simonon recruited the slightly older Strummer from the 101'ers. "You're great," they told him, "but your group is shit." Rhodes then allegedly gave Strummer two days to join the project, but called him only a day later. Strummer agreed and the group became The Clash, whose name was supplied by Simonon after seeing the word repeatedly in newspapers.

The new band had their first gig in 1976 supporting the Sex Pistols, and that autumn the band were signed to CBS Records. After five gigs, Levene and Chimes left. Chimes, however, was soon drafted back in order to record the debut album. They released their first single ("White Riot") and first album (The Clash) in 1977 to considerable success in the UK, though CBS initially declined to release either in the United States, only releasing a modified version of the first album in the US in 1979, after the UK original had become the best-selling import album of all time in the United States.

Following the release of their first album, Chimes left amicably due to political differences with the remaining members. In the documentary Westway to the World, Mick Jones referred to him as one of "the best drummers around", but Chimes had different prospects for the future. He said, "The point was that I wanted one kind of life - they wanted another, and why are we booking together, if we want completely different things?"

The band experienced a period of changing drummers (including Jon Moss who left them to form London before forming Culture Club). Mick Jones recruited Nicholas Bowen Headon, nicknamed "Topper" by the band, due to his resemblance to a cartoon monkey. The musically gifted Headon was planning to stay only briefly, in order to gain some measure of renown so that he might find a better punk group. In the process, the band's potential became apparent to him and, realizing that he wouldn't find a better band, he changed his plans and remained with The Clash until early 1982. Initially, The Clash were notable for their strident leftist political outlook and distinctive clothes, painted with revolutionary slogans, such as "Sten Guns in Knightsbridge," "Under Heavy Manners," and "Brigade Rosse". Throughout 1977, Strummer and Jones were in trouble for a range of minor crimes ranging from vandalism to stealing a pillowcase, while Simonon and Headon were arrested for shooting racing pigeons with an air gun.

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Musicians - The Clash

Members

History

(1976-1978) Line-up and early days

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