16 Facts About The Clash

The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock.

For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon.

The Clash achieved critical and commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their self-titled debut album, The Clash and their second album, Give 'Em Enough Rope .

The triple bill is seen as pivotal to the British punk scene's crystallisation into a movement, though NME reviewer Charles Shaar Murray wrote, "The Clash are the sort of garage band that should be speedily returned to the garage, preferably with the motor still running".

The Clash were putting forward a radical left-wing message in their songs and interviews.

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The Clash presaged the many eclectic turns the band would take with its cover of the reggae song "Police and Thieves".

The Clash produced their first official music video, showing the group performing "Tommy Gun", to accompany the release of the single.

The Clash had planned to record and release a single every month in 1980.

The Clash was replaced by Pete Howard for the US Festival in San Bernardino, California, which the Clash co-headlined, along with David Bowie and Van Halen.

The Clash are credited with pioneering the advocacy of radical politics in punk rock, and were dubbed the "Thinking Man's Yobs" by NME.

The Clash were the only performers at the show who tried to do anything about the obstacle.

The Clash's music has sometimes been described as experimental rock and new wave.

The Clash inspired many musicians who were only loosely associated, if at all, with punk.

The Clash's influence is similarly reflected in Paris-founded Mano Negra's politicised lyrics and fusion of musical styles.

London Town, a film which tells the story of a The Clash-obsessed teenager who crosses paths with Joe Strummer by happenstance in 1979 and finds his life changing as a result, was released in 2016.

In March 2022, surviving members of The Clash gave permission to Ukrainian punk band Beton, which means "concrete" in Ukrainian, to rewrite the lyrics to London Calling.