Joe Strummer and the Legend of The Clash

by Kris Needs, Joe Strummer (Introduction)

This book provides a personal insight into the life of Joe Strummer, via his closest friends and the band members who knew him best. Exclusive interviewees include Mick Jones, his songwriting partner and lead guitarist of The Clash, and Don Letts, the ex-Big Audio Dynamite member and filmmaker who recorded an extensive series of interviews with Strummer on video.

His life history, his personal passions and politics, and, most of all, his musical influences, are examined from a number of personal perspectives. From the white-hot excitement of the gigs to the fervour of Strummer’s personal convictions, Joe Strummer & the Legend of The Clash gives a full account of the life and times of a true punk pioneer.

From the birth of The Clash during the early days of the UK punk scene in 1976, when author Kris Needs first met the band at their raw fifth gig, to massive success as the greatest rock’n’roll band in the world during the early Eighties – all is recounted from the perspective of someone who was there, both as a fan and as a friend.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Punk, Biography

351 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2005

Reviews

[Jacob Jones-Goldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as Clash books go, this is very middle of the road. The title should actually read 'Kris Needs and the Legend of the Clash' as a pretty substantial chunk of the book focuses Needs's relationship to the Clash. If your looking for a definitive history of the band and Joe Strummer look elsewhere. If you are looking for a bit of an exploration of how the Clash affect those around them this is worth the read. "A Riot of our Own' is a bit better as a they-also-served story, but this is still worth the read. Needs is a good writer and solid storyteller.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I did enjoy it, I didn’t read this book fully to the end (just until the end of The Clash). The author is no mere observer, but a character in the story as a part of the entourage, frequently providing rave reviews of Clash albums and gigs in the magazine he was working for. Learned a lot about the punk scene and had fun reading some of the anecdotes, but I had the feeling Needs gives more attention to the “scene” than to the music. Maybe we’ll have to wait for a Mick Jones autobiography, which similar to Keith Richards’ book could give real insights into the writing and composing processes within the band.

[Vanyo666 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this one is interesting as an inside view of the band's formative years. Bernie Rhodes comes across as the facilitator and then becomes the villain who makes poor St. Joe go astray. Mick Jones is the unsung hero, Simonon is quite unsubstantial and Topper is the train wreck.

This may be quite near the whole truth, but Kris is responsible for the "house organ" like he himself admits, so this is not impartial. Interesting about the creative processes of the double and triple album days and how Combat Rock came to be what it is.

[Bruce Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for Clash fans! Well-written by a musician/writer who was with the band.

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early eighties - though I was not around to know - The Clash were known as "The Only Band that matters," and though nowadays you here them more often in car commercials than in clubs, there long fingers of inspiration still reach into modern day bands. Joe Strummer was the poet of punk and probably one of the best lyricists of all time. Combined with Mick Jones, a pop guitar playing innovator, the Clash became the best thing out of England since the beatles. Strummer/Jones was the new Lennon/McCartney. It ended all too soon, and Strummer was left to walk the industry alone for ten years until his return as frontrunner of The Mescaleros, where he rediscovered himself. In the end, just as the Clash were going to reunite for their entrance into the Rock-n-Roll hall of Fame, John "Joe Strummer" Mellor, died tragically of a undiagnosed heart condition at the age of 52.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lives up to the legends.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book if you really like the Clash, highly recommended to anyone who likes rock and roll books!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the band and its history from an insider's perspective.

[Roy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too enthused with this book on the Clash and Joe . Kris Needs is not one writer I ever warm to .