Today, August 21st, is the birthday of Joe Strummer, punk poet, musician, composer, actor, and style icon. The edit above and his portrait on the musical birthday calendars below were made by me, Frieke.
Joe Strummer, born as John Graham Mellor on August 21, 1952, in Ankara, Turkey, passed away on December 22, 2002, in Broomfield, Somerset, England. Strummer was a British musician, best known as the frontman of the legendary punk rock band The Clash. He played a crucial role in the evolution of punk music and is often seen as one of the key figures in the punk movement of the late 1970s.
Strummer was the son of a British diplomat and grew up in boarding schools in various countries, which enriched his worldview and musical influences. He first played in the group 101'ers but joined The Clash in 1976, a band known for their energetic live performances, politically charged lyrics, and blending of different music styles such as punk, reggae, ska, and rock. Their album London Calling (1979) is often considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Other well-known albums include The Clash (1977), Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978), Sandinista! (1980) en Combat Rock (1982), which features the hits Rock the casbah and Should I stay or should I go, The latter song became a hit again during Brexit when the United Kingdom left the European Union. By that time, the band had already disbanded.
Joe Strummer was known for his strong political beliefs, which often manifested in his music. The Clash released songs that dealt with themes such as social justice, racism, and political oppression. Strummer was also involved in various political and social movements and was an outspoken advocate for human rights. After The Clash broke up in 1986, Strummer began a solo career and worked on several projects. One of his most famous solo projects was the band Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, with whom he released three albums from the late 1990s: Rock Art and the X-Ray Style (1999), Global A Go-Go (2001) en Streetcore (2003, posthumously released). Joe Strummer was also involved in various films, both as an actor and as a composer of film scores.
Some of the films in which he played a role include:
Rude Boy (1980): A semi-documentary about The Clash, in which Strummer plays himself. Straight to Hell (1987): This cult film, directed by Alex Cox, is a bizarre western parody with a star-studded cast, including Joe Strummer, Courtney Love, and The Pogues. Mystery Train (1989): Directed by Jim Jarmusch, a cult film in which Strummer plays a leading role. His character, Johnny, is often considered one of his best acting performances.
Films for which he composed music include:
Walker (1987): Strummer composed the entire soundtrack for this film, which was his first major project as a film composer. Strummer also plays a supporting role in it.
Permanent Record (1988): For this drama film, Strummer wrote the songs Trash City - Baby the Trans - Nefertiti and Nothin' 'bout Nothin'. performed by Joe Strummer & The Latino Rockabilly War.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997): The soundtrack of this comedy includes several songs by The Clash and Joe Strummer, including Armagideon Time and Rudie Can't Fail. Black Hawk Down (2001): Strummer contributed to the soundtrack of this war film by Ridley Scott with the song Minstrel Boy .
Joe Strummer passed away suddenly from a heart attack on December 22, 2002, at the age of 50, likely caused by an undiagnosed congenital heart condition. He was known as a passionate, charismatic, and sometimes complex individual. Strummer had a deep-rooted sense of justice and was a fervent advocate for human rights and social equality. Despite his public image as a punk icon, he was warm and generous in his personal life, loved by family, friends, and colleagues.
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007) is a documentary about the life and legacy of Joe Strummer, directed by Julien Temple. The film includes interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as a lot of archival footage.
London Town (2016): This coming-of-age drama is set in the late 1970s in London. Joe Strummer is portrayed in the film by actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties