Happy Birthday Joe Strummer

[O'Blivion]

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest of all time. I was lucky enough to see Joe 4 times in my life, and of all the outstanding performers and musicians I've ever seen, Joe remains pretty near the top of the list. There were plenty who could sing and play with more finesse than Joe, but none to match his intensity and his - hmmmm, what to call it - his HUMANITY.

As the political situation in the world goes from bad to worse I often find myself thinking about what Joe would have to say about things. The world is a far poorer place without him, goddamn it, and we have a genuine NEED for his kind right now.

To paraphrase Steve Earle:

Come back to us Joe Strummer
Come back to us now
Tear your eyes from paradise
And rise again somehow.

[Eric V]

As the political situation in the world goes from bad to worse I often find myself thinking about what Joe would have to say about things.

What would Joe Do? WWJD Saw him twice. Love his interview footage on Westway to the World. One of those few people who means every word of what he says. And he was a Pogue.

[Pyro]

Happy birthday.

Well, I would be terribly happy to see him alive (I agree with you boys here), I liked very much his lyrics (for me he is probably the best lyricist of whole world - maybe with Jem), his singing was just awesome, and guitar was good enough to fit in...

On the other hand, I would be sad to see him experience current political situation. Hell, I listen to Charlie don´t surf over and over...and it is true, that song hit the black spot, although it is 20 or so years old. Many things he sang about came true again...bad bad situation.

[Nico]

God bless him, he's so loved. Thanks for remembering this day.

[philipchevron]

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Joe Strummer (Philip Chevron)

from the Radiators from Space's "Trouble Pilgrim" album.

Stuart Pearce is on the line,
We're taking on the Argentine again;
But it's another false dawn for England
if he can't find the man to lead the line.
It's another false dawn for England,
he needs someone who is gonna shine.
And that's when I remember
the summer I spent with Joe Strummer,
I said that's when I remember
the summer I spent with Joe Strummer,
When we watched the World Cup together,
me and Joe and D.J. Scratchy.
We fell in love with Toto Schillaci
and played Afro-Cuban mariachi.
He can play guitar, be a registrar,
smoke a big cigar, build a repertoire,
sleep in a motorcar, fish a reservoir,
programme a VCR, be a Football star.

Hey Joe, a-rovin' we will go,
over from Cuba to Fallujah,
they're all eating Freedom fries.
Hey Joe, I miss you more than you could know:
it's not a world you'd recognize
and it still takes me by surprise.

And now the U.N. is on the 'phone -
America is going it alone again,
and it's a bad day for democracy,
it needs a sweeter tone.
Well, it's a bad day for democracy,
the world is in the danger-zone.
And that's when I remember
the summer I spent with Joe Strummer,
I said that's when I remember
the summer I spent with Joe Strummer,
We changed the world together
with a Fender Telecaster,
We were in bands that played it faster,
we were the masters of the ghetto-blaster.
He can play guitar, be a registrar,
smoke a fat cigar, build a repertoire,
sleep in a motorcar, fish a reservoir,
programme a VCR, be a punk rock Czar.

Hey Joe, a-rovin' we will go,
over from Cuba to Fallujah,
they're all eating Freedom fries.
Hey Joe, I miss you more than you could know:
it's not a world you'd recognize
and it still takes me by surprise.

And that's when I remember the summer
I last saw Strummer
I said that's when I remember
the last time I saw Joe Strummer.
And now the baby needs feeding
and the roof's leaking on my head.
Where's Joe when you need him?
Joe's brown bread.
But he can play guitar, be a registrar,
smoke a fat cigar, build a repertoire,
sleep in a motorcar, fish a reservoir,
programme a VCR, be a superstar.

[DzM]

Hey Joe, a-rovin' we will go,
over from Cuba to Fallujah,
they're all eating Freedom fries.

Incidentally "Freedom Fries" have been rebranded back to French Fries. One of the two Republicans (Robert Ney) that had sponsored the name change has been connected to numerous scandals (mostly connected to Abramoff) and has been pushed by the GOP to withdraw from the 2006 election. The other Republican sponsor, Water Jones, publicly says he wishes the whole name change thingy hadn't happened and that the Iraq war was a mistake (he had previously been very supportive of it).

You know - FYI.

[philipchevron]

Hey Joe, a-rovin' we will go,
over from Cuba to Fallujah,
they're all eating Freedom fries.

Incidentally "Freedom Fries" have been rebranded back to French Fries. One of the two Republicans (Robert Ney) that had sponsored the name change has been connected to numerous scandals (mostly connected to Abramoff) and has been pushed by the GOP to withdraw from the 2006 election. The other Republican sponsor, Water Jones, publicly says he wishes the whole name change thingy hadn't happened and that the Iraq war was a mistake (he had previously been very supportive of it).

You know - FYI.

Yes indeedy. But the phrase "Freedom Fries" will linger like a bad smell over the GOP for many years to come. I even saw the phrase used as a caption for the infamous Abu Ghraib photo of the prisoner attached to electrodes. It had a question mark added.

[Caukill]

What would Joe Do? WWJD Saw him twice. Love his interview footage on Westway to the World. One of those few people who means every word of what he says. And he was a Pogue.

Oh man, theres a bit in 'Westway...' where Joe is talking about the Clash split & he says something along the lines of "If you have something great - don't f**k with it" & his voice cracks. Kills me every time.
A rare true inspirational figure who's legacy will be remembered long after our ashes are scattered to the wind.

[Eric V]

What would Joe Do? WWJD Saw him twice. Love his interview footage on Westway to the World. One of those few people who means every word of what he says. And he was a Pogue.

Oh man, theres a bit in 'Westway...' where Joe is talking about the Clash split & he says something along the lines of "If you have something great - don't f**k with it" & his voice cracks. Kills me every time.
A rare true inspirational figure who's legacy will be remembered long after our ashes are scattered to the wind.

Here here. I particularly like the "the drummer has to be there *bang* ...right there" line. Same for me.

[Jon]

Aussie SBS showed Mystery Train the other night (again), can't complain though it's a cracking good flick. Luckily my birthday falls 24 hours after Joe's, any excuse to drink for 48 hours is alright by me.

[CraigBatty]

Aussie SBS showed Mystery Train the other night (again), can't complain though it's a cracking good flick. Luckily my birthday falls 24 hours after Joe's, any excuse to drink for 48 hours is alright by me.

Happy Belated Birthday cobber!

[seamus_mcshanty1]

Joe was a true original . There will never be another like him

[suejacob]

I am new to this site..i don`t even have a computer right now! «i`m at the library, logging on to say happy birthday to joe, wherever you are. I mourn your loss..and I mourn for a world without you. I was a huge Clash fan back in the day..and loved his work with the Mescaleros. Sadly I never got to see either band in concert. I`ve spent last night and today playing Joe`s music...love him, love his words....hope you are at peace joe oxoxox

[philipchevron]

I am new to this site..i don`t even have a computer right now! «i`m at the library, logging on to say happy birthday to joe, wherever you are. I mourn your loss..and I mourn for a world without you. I was a huge Clash fan back in the day..and loved his work with the Mescaleros. Sadly I never got to see either band in concert. I`ve spent last night and today playing Joe`s music...love him, love his words....hope you are at peace joe oxoxox

x

[Clash Cadillac]

At present, I am reading Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz. Even though I have been reading this book for about 2 months now, I am only to the part where Joe is playing with the 101ers. By the time I get to bed and start reading it is so late I only get through about 5-10 pages before the sandman calls. I must say I am really enjoying this book. I saw Joe with the Clash and am kicking myself for not going to see the Mescaleros. I had good intentions but thought I had plenty of time to catch a show. Who knew... I am not making the same mistake with the Pogues and will continue to catch a show on each coast for as long as the magic lasts.


Happy Birthday Joe