Today is Joe Strummer's birthday!
The late co-founder, of The Clash, put the band together in 1976, in the wake of the rise of punk in the U.S., following bands like The Ramones. The Clash would make an impact with their second album, "Give 'Em Enough Rope" in 1978, when it reached No. 2 on the UK charts. Unlike many of their peers in the England and even in the States, The Clash attained a critical acclaim for their raw combination of political strife and youthful angst in their music. They would hit big in the US, with their iconic London Calling in 1979, despite the backlash that punk would receive following the failed tour of The Sex Pistols.
The band would peak with Combat Rock in 1982, when it reached No. 7 on the US charts and went Double Platinum, making them one of the biggest bands in the world. The Clash's music became a massive influence on rock alternative rock, as there is hardley a band that does not cite them as a direct influence. They were dubbed "The Only Band That Matters", which became a title for the band which has become always paired with their name.
In the later 80's each member of the original group would leave the band and Strummer attempted to keep The Clash going on his own, but ultimately he went solo and would also feature with other groups, like the 101ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Mescaleros, and the Pogues. He began acting, and scoring television shows and films, and even hosted the BBC Radio show London Calling.
In 2002, Joe Strummer died from a congenital heart defect, after it was announced that The Clash were to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was 50 years old. One of the greatest rock pioneers of his time, Joe Strummer is remembered generations after his success in the 70's as his music still resonates in the hearts and minds of the youth today.
Happy Birthday Joe.