Musician Joe Strummer was born on August 21, 1952, in Ankara, Turkey. His real name was John Graham Mellor. He passed away on December 22, 2002.
The son of a diplomat, Joe Strummer spent his childhood living in Egypt, Mexico, Germany, Iran, and other places. He began boarding at the City of London Freemen's School at the age of 10, and spent his student life largely untouched by his parents. He also grew up in a complicated family environment, as his older brother David, who was also attending the same school, committed suicide while he was still a student.
In 1974, he formed the rock band "The 101'ers" with his roommates. They primarily performed cover songs in pubs, but then a turning point came for him. After being shocked by the Sex Pistols' performance at a live show, Joe decided to leave the band. He formed a new band, The Clash, with members who had previously approached him.
In 1977, they released their first album, "White Riot." It was a smash hit, reaching number 12 in the UK charts, and their second album, "Trouble (Let the Beast Go Wild)," and third album, "London Calling," also garnered overwhelming support across the UK. Around this time, The Clash's music began to incorporate elements of a variety of genres beyond punk. The anti-establishment sentiment that had been embedded in their lyrics since the band's inception remained unchanged, and they continued to release one radical song after another.
The Clash subsequently rose to become one of the pinnacles of punk bands, rivaling the Sex Pistols. However, due to changes in lineup and other factors, the band disbanded after the release of the 1985 album "Cut the Crap." Joe also took a break from music after releasing his solo album, "Earthquake Weather," in 1989. After the band disbanded, Joe worked as an actor in films such as "Walker" and "Straight to Hell," while also composing film music. However, in 1999, he formed a new band, "The Mescaleros." He made his first concert appearance in 10 years and released his first album, "X-Ray Style," that same year. He continued to perform live, but died of heart disease on December 22, 2002. He was only 50 years old at the time. After Joe's death, his family and friends founded the charity "Strummerville." In addition to supporting young musicians, supporting creators have launched the "Strummerville Selection," a line of products featuring Joe's portrait and other motifs.
