The Clash

The Clash, The Clash is an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the initial wave of British punk. With punk, their music incorporates elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, The Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass, vocals, occasional vocals) and Nicky “Topper” Headon (drums, percussion). Headon left the band in 1982, and internal friction led to the departure of Jones the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986.

The Clash commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their debut album, The Clash, in 1977. Their third album, London Calling, released in the United Kingdom in December 1979, brought them popularity in the United States when he left there the following month. Critically acclaimed, it was declared the best album of the 1980s a decade later rolling Stone magazine.

Politicized lyrics of The Clash, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a profound influence on rock, alternative rock in particular.
They became widely known as “The only group that counts,” originally a promotional slogan developed by the group’s label, CBS. In January 2003, the soundtrack, including drummer Terry Chimes-were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Clash number 30 on their list of 100 greatest artists of all time.
Prior to founding The Clash, future members of the group have been active in different parts of the music scene in London. John Graham Mellor sang and played rhythm guitar in the pub rock 101′ers act, which was formed in 1974. When The Clash came together two years later, he had abandoned his original stage name, “Woody” Mellor, in favor of “Joe Strummer”, a reference to his rudimentary strumming skills on the ukulele as an artist street in the London Underground. Mick Jones played guitar in the proto-group London SS, which repeated for much of 1975 without ever playing a live show and recording a demo single. London SS was managed by Bernard Rhodes, a partner sometimes impresario Malcolm McLaren and a friend of the band McLaren managed the S-EX- Pistols. Jones and his associates became friends with Glen Matlock S-EX- Pistols, Steve Jones, who could help them as they tried to potential new members.
The Clash has also inspired many musicians who were only loosely associated, if necessary, with the punk. The band embrace of ska, reggae and Jamaican subculture in England has given the impetus for the 2 Tone movements that emerged amid fallout from the explosion of punk.