They called themselves “the only band that matters”, and for a few years it was hard to argue. The Clash took punk and threw in reggae, rockabilly, funk and dub, and made London Calling, one of the greatest double albums ever.
From “White Riot” to the world
Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and, later, drummer Topper Headon formed the Clash in London in 1976. Early singles like “White Riot” were punk at full speed. London Calling (1979) widened their sound, and “Train in Vain” became their first US hit. Combat Rock (1982) gave them “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah”. After Jones left in 1983, he formed Big Audio Dynamite.
Is The Clash new wave?
The Clash are a punk band at heart, but their wide-ranging ’80s records, especially Combat Rock, crossed over to new wave and MTV audiences. They sit where punk turned into new wave and beyond.
The essential Clash
- “White Riot” (1977)
- “London Calling” (1979)
- “Train in Vain” (1979)
- “The Magnificent Seven” (1981)
- “Should I Stay or Should I Go” (1982)
- “Rock the Casbah” (1982)
Remembering Joe Strummer
Strummer died in 2002, and the Clash entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Hear The Clash on New Wave Radio
Request “Rock the Casbah”, then hear what Mick Jones did next with Big Audio Dynamite.
Related: Big Audio Dynamite · Ramones · The Specials
