Tag Archives: Joe Strummer

Daily Diversion #36: Then You Realise That You Got to Have a Purpose*

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I came across this whilst wandering around Half Price Books last night. It called my name to the scream of a punk beat. “I’m yours, yours, YOURS, Maeeedezzzzzzzzzzz!”

Route 19 Revisited

Route 19 Revisited

How could I resist, especially on the eve of Joe’s birthday?

Route 19 Revisited, The Clash and London Calling

Route 19 Revisited, The Clash and London Calling

He would have been 60 years old today.

*From Clash City Rockers by The Clash

Voices from the Grave-Joe Strummer Birthday Edition #1

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For one day only, I’m switching from literature to punk, from the imagination to concrete humanity. Today is dedicated to Joe, on what would have been his 60th birthday. He had a heart bigger than the world, and lyrical ability to match. With compassion, clarity, and righteous anger, he, along with George Bernard Shaw*, pointed me in the only direction I am meant to face.

One of my favourite songs by The Clash.

My wedding song.

I still cry when I watch this video.

*If you think they are an odd pair to be so heavily influenced by, in equal and often parallel  measure, please check out the Pinterest board I have dedicated to them: As Far as Thought Can Reach. It might not offer an intellectual explanation, but it is fun to see them side by side.

A Year in Books/Day 177: Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg The Clash

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  • Title: Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg The Clash
  • Author: Alan Parker
  • Year Published: 2004 (Abstract Sounds Publishing)
  • Year Purchased: 2006/2007
  • Source: Unknown
  • About: As a highly detailed discography, albeit with a twist or two, this book is for die-hard fans only. What sets it apart from regular fare is the great love and enthusiasm that Alan Parker has for his subjects, his short but personal recollections of each release, and the nice array of quotes and photographs sprinkled between the data. It is hard for me to be so brief when it comes to Strummer/The Clash, but I will save my words for future reviews of other related books in my collection.
  • Motivation: I don’t believe in the concept of personal heroes, but I can say without artifice or exaggeration that Joe Strummer is partially responsible for making me the kick-ass person I am today.
  • Times Read: 2
  • Random Excerpt/Page 1: “On December 23rd, 2002 I was waiting at Heathrow Airport for a flight to Manchester to spend Christmas with my family. Just before our flight was due for boarding, Pete Wylie called me. Joe Strummer was dead. A heart attack at home, he was only 50 years old when he died. By the time I hit my hometown of Blackburn in Lancashire, the normal Christmas staples playing from pub jukeboxes had been swapped for a new ‘soundtrack’ of The Clash. This would continue for at least five days. My book was almost finished and my hero, one of the men who told me to do this project, was dead.”
  • Happiness Scale: 10

    Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lost and Found

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After months spent working at my husband’s desk, using his laptop, I am finally back in my own cozy, lovingly crafted studio space. Writing on my machine. Surrounded by my things. While I know that I can write anywhere, if pressed, tapping out these words on my computer feels so right. I crossed the room, sat down and am home again.

Joe Strummer reminding me that the future is, indeed, un-written.