Kmflett's Blog

Joe Strummer 21.8.52- 22.12-02: London Calling

Joe Strummer died 23 years ago this week

Six years ago there was a free, exhibition at the Museum of London (then at the Barbican) which marked the anniversary of the release of the Clash’s double album London Calling.

In May 1979 Thatcher had been elected for the first time (majority 40) and the year ended with what was the Clash’s riposte. Anti-racist, anti-authoritarian, pro-rebel. The music and the words went together as did the cover art for the LP.

One thing that struck me visiting the exhibition five years ago this week was that London Calling is one of the ultimate London records. Of course the Clash, Westway to the World, were West Londoners. London Calling though was recorded at studios in Pimlico (off the Vauxhall Bridge Rd) and Highbury New Park in Islington.

The culture of those areas then as now was anti-Tory anti-racist and up for a fightback. The Clash got all that in a record and listening to songs like London Calling or Clampdown again now the relevance sings out. London 1979 but perhaps even more London 2025.

A pity Joe Strummer is no longer around to write a response to the politics of 2025 but we do have London Calling and perhaps in particular Working for the Clampdown a song that could easily have been written with Nigel Farage in mind.