RADIO CLASH The Story of Joe Strummer

The Clash inspired my love of Rock Music. I grew up to tunes like "Train in Vain", "Rock the Casbah" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go". Listening to the exotic lyrics about far away places and crazy scenarios always captured my imagination. Now as an adult I am able to grasp the political concepts behind the intoxicating beats that Joe Strummer and Mick Jones produced.

October 3rd aired Radio Clash on Rock It Properly in which I told the story of Joe's life through music. I started our journey in Turkey, the birthplace of Joe Mellor. I played Turkish Ska, Glam Rock goes Arabic, Un-Ledded Kashmir and a Casbah remix allowing you to go deep into the Middle East.

Our trip heads to London, the U.K. and the punk rock scene. Joe meets his future band mates at a Sex Pistols gig and The Clash is born! Joe Mellor became Strummer as an ode to the rhythm guitar. The Clash's early sound was more punk than ska, but that was soon about to change.

2-Tone, Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady and Dub are all musical styles that The Clash adopted and mixed into their own sound. This created not only danceable tunes but also a great beat to sneak some serious messages into. Super Black Market Clash is an album that was released only in Canada and the US. There are plenty of "dub" remixes (Bankrobber) and unreleased ska classics (Pressure Drop) on it -- Run Don't Walk to your nearest local record shop and pick this gem up! Pick it up! Pick it up!

Rachid Taha, Annie Lennox, Garbage and M.I.A. - what do these artists have in common?

They incorporated the use of a Clash beat, sample, track or covered an original song. Singer Rachid sings in Arabic, making a world hit of "Rock El Casbah". Annie Lennox (formerly of the Eurythmics) - sings a soulful rendition of Train in Vain off her all covers album, Medusa. Garbage was also fascinated with The Clash's sound - specifically the drum beat off of Train in Vain. They incorporated it into their 1995 single "Stupid Girl" and voila! a hit. Garbage gave creative credit to both Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. Lastly, M.I.A. has infiltrated the airwaves with her infectious hip hop ode to money and all that it brings along, in "Paper Planes". This song uses a "Straight to Hell" backing track off the Combat Rock album.

Mick Jones was smitten by a new genre of music called Rap. This growing new form of art was gaining attention rapidly in New York City. Every time Jones visited he'd pick up on the rap-styles of Grand Master Flash and the Sugar Hill Gang. He mimicked this style in such songs as "This is Radio Clash" and "The Magnificent Seven". I never thought of The Clash as rappers but here's the proof!

In the next part of the story - I demonstrate the amazing amount of hit songs that came off the "London Calling" EP. The eclectic style of each song is overwhelming - Rockabilly, World, Ska, Rap, Punk, Reggae and Rock! With 3 discs to boast - London Calling has been placed in the top 10 of Rolling Stones Best 500 Albums of ALL Time.

Next I tell the true story behind the lyrics to "Rock the Casbah". It's a timeless classic and for most music listeners - it's the one Clash song they know.

Joe Strummer passed away in 2002. There are two documentary movies on the market if you want to continue your Radio Clash lesson - Joe Strummer:The Future is Unwritten (2007) and Let's Rock Again! (2002). Continue to support bands who are heavily influenced by The Clash-Green Day, Rage Against the Machine, The Aggrolites, Radio 4, BAD II, The Bravery and Rancid.

Don't forget to Rock It Properly....Joe would want it that way!

Jack Black “Pledge of Allegiance” from School Of Rock Soundtrack (Warner2003)

The Clash “This is Radio Clash” from Clash on Broadway CD ALBUM (Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. 1991) — the first ever British hip hop song.

Bendeniz “Kirmizi Biber” from Turkish Groove CD ALBUM (Putumayo World Music 2006) — Joe Mellor (Strummer) was born in Ankara, Turkey.

The Clash “Mustapha Dance” from Super Black Market Clash CD ALBUM (Epic 1993) — A Remix of "Rock the Casbah".

Brooklyn Funk Essentials “Ska Ka-Bop” from In the Buzz Bag CD ALBUM (Shanachie1998) — Turkish Rhythms recorded Istanbul by NYC Jazz Outfit.

Queen “Mustapha” from Jazz CD ALBUM (Hollywood Records 1978) — "Allah we'll pray for you" to "Mama, just killed a man..."

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant “Kashmir” from No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded CD ALBUM (Atlantic Records 1994) — About Kashmir which borders both India & Pakistan (Live Version of Song Recorded in Morocco)

The Clash “White Riot” from Clash on Broadway CD ALBUM (Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. 1991) — from: The Clash (album) 1977 Punk Rock.

The Clash “Clash City Rockers” from Clash on Broadway CD ALBUM (Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. 1991) — Single released in 1978 off The Clash Album.

The Maytals “54-46 was my number” from Monkey Business CD ALBUM (Trojan 1995) — Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, Dub styles that influenced Joe & The Clash.

The Clash “Pressure Drop” from Super Black Market Clash CD ALBUM (Epic 1993) — Cover of Toots & the Maytals classic!

The Clash “Rudie Can't Fail” from Grosse Pointe Blank Soundtrack CD ALBUM (London Records 1997) — Rude Boy (Rudie) clearly inspired by the 2Tone Culture of London.

The Clash “White Man in Hammersmith Palais” from Clash on Broadway CD ALBUM(Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. 1991) R — Request by Caller.

The Clash “Armagideon Time” from Grosse Pointe Blank Soundtrack CD ALBUM (London Records 1997) — Great "Dub" version of this on Super Black Market Clash.

The Clash “Bankrobber” from Super Black Market Clash CD ALBUM (Epic 1993) — Not released on official album.

Rachid Taha “Rock El Casbah” from Teki Toi CD ALBUM (Wrasse 2004) — Algerian singer covers RtC in Arabic.

Annie Lennox “Train in Vain” from Medusa (Arista 1995) — Cover Album of songs recorded by male artists.

Garbage “Stupid Girl” from Garbage (Mushroom 1995) — song is based upon a drum sample from The Clash's 1980 hit "Train in Vain", whose writers Joe Strummer and Mick Jones were given a co-writing credit for the song.

The Clash “Train in Vain” from London Calling CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1979) — The Original (Stand By Me).

M.I.A. “Paper Planes” from Kala CD ALBUM (XL 2007) — Straight to Hell looped in background. Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack contributor.

The Clash “Straight to Hell” from Combat Rock CD ALBUM (CBS 1982) — Un-Edited Version (Original)

The Sugar Hill Gang “Rapper's Delight” from Sugarhill Gang CD SINGLE (Sugar Hill Records 1979) — NYC Old School Rap-Written by Chic's Nile Rodgers

The Clash “The Magnificent Seven” from Sandinista! CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1980) — Inspired by NYC Rap Scene

Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” from Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five CD ALBUM (Sugar Hill Records 1982) — Early Rap genius who inspired Mick Jones

The Clash “The Call Up” from Sandinista! CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1980) — Inspired by NYC Rap Scene

The Clash “London Calling” CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1979) — Album art based on Elvis Presley's 1st album

The Clash “Brand New Cadillac” from London Calling CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1979) — Rockabilly Clash!

The Clash “Spanish Bombs” from London Calling CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1979) — Righteous Song!

The Clash “Lost in a Supermarket” from London Calling CD ALBUM (CBS Records 1979) — Great for organic food shopping!

The Clash “Rock the Casbah” from Combat Rock CD ALBUM (CBS 1982) — Now the king told the boogie man, you have to let the raga drop!

The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” from Combat Rock CD ALBUM (CBS 1982) — Stay Tuned to KCSB 91.9 FM and Rock It Properly

Big Audio Dynamite II “Rush” from Globe CD ALBUM (Columbia Records 1991) — Mick Jones (Clash tinged band)

Radio 4 “Dance to the Underground (Radio Edit)” from Dance to the Underground CD SINGLE (Astralwerks 2004) — Danceable PUNK!-Radio 4 (British Radio Station)

The Aggrolites “Free Time” from Reggae Hit L.A. CD ALBUM (Hellcat Records 2007) — Los Angeles traditional rocksteady, reggae, ska band

Stardust “Music Sounds Better with You” CD SINGLE (Roule Music 1998) — Tune in at 6:00-8am October 10th for "ROCK the HOUSE" Last Night a DJ Saved my Life