Joe Strummer: 1952 - 2002

[Walt Whitmans Niece]

To suggest that Joe faded out "embarrassingly" is as subjective a thing to say as Joe and the Mascaleros was one of the "shittest musical ventures fronted by anyone, in any genre". To those amongst us who was saved from the kind of fret wankery and meaningless Tolkienesque lyricism of late seventies rock, by British punk, and in particular Joe Strummer, I find such comments banal and sneeringly arrogant. Many thousands of people liked and followed Joe's work with the Mescaleros, maybe some did out of loyalty to Joe but surely because they liked it as well. Since when did rebellion have to be turned into money, Graeme? Considering that Joe died a very wealthy man indeed I don't really understand what you're point is. Fair point about arseholes like Mcartny and Clapton (who I hate with a passion) though.

Visionary musicians like Joe are very few and far between and we should cherish them as the national treasures they are, not try and take their deaths as an opportunity to be oh so clever by pointing out that, even as inspirational as he was, Joe's life was flawed. Those of us with the requisite intellingence can work it out for ourselves, those who don't, don't matter. Try and come up with a better ephitaph.

Thank you for what you gave us Joe.

Cheers Andy

[Crazy John]

I remember many happy hours playing along and jumping around to the Clash (I Fought the Law Anyone?!). I think they are one of those bands that stay with you far longer than most bands around today. Forget about the Mescaleros and go and put London Calling on: it's fucking magic.

RIP Joe...

[SkimmedMilk]

nah, its true, the mescalaros were shit. still a pitty tho when someone dies young(ish).

[jonnycosmonaut]

all i'm saying is it's a shame when someone who used to be so cool and make such good records then goes less cool and makes bad records. and then it's even worse when they die young anyway. but john's totally right, he made two of the best albums ever so respect is due.

[Lost Child]

i was gonna say that. but i thought you would.

[Relatively Short Thom]

Aw man, way to pick the nits

[Freak-A-Chu]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><table border="0" width="90%" bgcolor="#333333" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="100%"><table border="0" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" bgcolor="#FF9900"><tr><td width="100%" bgcolor="#DDDDDD"><font size=2 face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Crazy John:
I remember many happy hours playing along and jumping around to the Clash (I Fought the Law Anyone?!).
RIP Joe...</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE>

(The Bobby Fuller Four anyone?)

[Crazy John]

i knew someone was gonna say that.