“The Clash were arguably the most influential and inspirational UK punk rock band, incorporating elements of reggae, dub, funk, ska, rockabilly … you name it. But they were about so much more.
This Day in Music’s Guide to The Clash details their rise from roots in bands such as the 101’ers to their memorable emergence, 1977’s startling eponymous LP breaking them and double-album London Calling seeing that decade out in style, their place in music history already secured, putting them on the road to global success before the spark that ignited them ultimately burned them out.
This ultimate companion to the band appraises and examines not only the studio output, but examines how they broke America, the many tours and interviews, and sheds light on how they fell apart at the height of success.
This Day in Music’s Guide to The Clash also details the individual members’ stories, examining post-split careers and the heartbreak surrounding front-man Joe Strummer’s early death, profiling other key personnel involved with a group celebrated for their political stance, rebellious outlook and influential experimentation as much as their music, their legacy intact long after the classic line-up – Strummer, Jones, Simonon, Headon – last shared a stage.