Guide Note: The Clash were one of the most popular bands of the punk era, incorporating elements of reggae, rockabilly, ska, R&B; and political folk into their music. The band was born in 1976, when Joe Strummer left the pub rock band The 101'ers to co-front The Clash with Mick Jones. Perceived as a more tuneful, more thoughtful counterpart to the The Sex Pistols—and later, as an eclectic rock band with punk foundations—the band remains as influential as any of its era.

Influence

The Clash's self-titled debut album helped stoke the punk movement in the UK, giving rise to like minded acts Stiff little Fingers, The Ruts and The Jam, and having a marked influence on more mainstream artists as well. They did not achieve commercial success, however, until the release of 1982's hit album Combat Rock. Since the 1980s, The Clash's recorded work has inspired an array of younger musicians, including Rage Against The Machine, M.I.A., Rancid and The Libertines.

Breakup

The "classic" 1977 lineup began to dissolve with the drug-related sacking of drummer Topper Headon in 1982. The 1983 defection of singer/lead guitarist Mick Jones, however, is a more significant marker, ending a signature Strummer/Jones collaboration that has come to be compared to the likes of Jagger/Richards and Lennon/Paul McCartney. The rift between the pair has since been attributed to a music disagreement—Strummer preferring a more guitar-based sound, while Jones explored electronica and dance music. Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon released a final album in 1985, the critically maligned Cut the Crap.

Band Members

• Core Members:
  1. Joe Strummer: singer/songwriter/rhythm guitarist
  2. Mick Jones: singer/songwriter/lead guitarist, left in 1983
  3. Paul Simonon: bassist/singer
  4. Topper Headon: drummer, 1977-1982
  5. Terry Chimes: original drummer, 1976-1977—briefly rejoined, 1982-1983
• Other Members:
  1. Keith Levene: early member, left in 1976
  2. Pete Howard, Vince White and Nick Sheppard: replacement members in post-Jones era, 1983-1986

Fast Facts

1. Origin: London, England
2. Years active 1976–1986
3. Studio Albums: 6
4. Appear in films Rude Boy and The King of Comedy

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