Remembering Joe Strummer
Today I want to honour the memory of Joe Strummer who would be celebrating his 59th birthday this Sunday the 21st. It’s difficult to find the words to properly express the impact Joe had on my life because it was deep and personal and I don’t expect to come close to doing it justice here.
Joe Strummer
I never met Joe. I saw him 3 times and the last time got within 10 or 20 feet from him but didn’t have the nerve to go any closer. He was hanging out by the stage after playing with The Pogues in Toronto and there was a crowd around him and I didn’t want to be the stupid gushing girl blurting out I love you so I just watched from a distance. Everything I was thinking about saying sounded like a gush of some sort so I just stood there and did and said nothing. I wish I could go back and be the stupid gushing girl that blurts out I love you.
I always felt like the round peg in a very square-hole world. I was 13 when I first heard London Calling and I was immediately drawn in. I didn’t know what Joe was singing about but I still felt like he was speaking to me and for me somehow. I continued listening and learned about struggles in the world beyond where I lived, independent thought, questioning authority, challenging the norms of society, fighting oppression and all its ugly isms and just being a better person. I learned to stop caring what people thought about me and staying true to myself. All these things were always there but The Clash put it together for me through their lyrics, sound and Joe’s passion. Not to take anything away from Mick, Paul or Topper but The Clash were more Joe to me.
“I will never give up. Sometimes I feel like it, but never have I ever thought of giving up. Even in the dark days. There was something going on, like a little spark that kept me sane.” Joe Strummer
I’m sort of an accidental entrepreneur finding my way here by chance rather than plan or greed. I always worked hard but I was the last person anyone would have figured to achieve any success. I’m not saying I’m Gates or that my personal life is all in order (Lord knows) but I have accomplished way more and have come a lot further than anyone would have guessed. I remember a teacher telling me at 15 the only school I’d ever make it in was subway school. I wasn’t completely sure what he meant but I knew not to put too much value in it thanks to Joe.
“I will always believe in punk rock, because it’s about creating something for yourself. Part of it was: ‘Stop being a sap! Lift your head up and see what is really going on in the political, social and religious situations, and try and see through all the smoke screens.” Joe Strummer
Joe continues to inspire me to see through the crap, go hard at something or not at all – always give 100%, take responsibility for your mistakes, never become complacent, to never give up, to have high standards for yourself and don’t let others compromise them. But above all else never sell-out or sell yourself short and fight for what you believe. I’m opinionated and passionate and will be those things even when it’s not the popular choice – especially for a girl. The Mohawk, chains and ripped fishnets are gone but the punk spirit lives in me just as much today as it did 30 years ago and always will.
“The way you get a better world is, you don’t put up with substandard anything” Joe Strummer
Happy birthday Joe – you are missed every day. Thanks for leaving so much behind.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK-WX2pa8c[/youtube]
Hey Angela, having been a friend of Joe’s while living in London in the 80’s and 90’s, I can say with complete confidence, despite your misgivings about approaching him, that Joe was a specialist in dealing with the issue of people being nervous around him. He would have completely disarmed you and made you feel like YOU were the person that was the celebrity. Despite the several conversations that I enjoyed with him and the many times I was in the same room as him, I still felt a little intimidated at being around my teenage idol. Inevitably, he would always find a way of making those around him feel special. Having admired him as a teenager and then miraculously got to know him, I can say with absolute confidence, that he was everything and more that you would want him to be. Every time I meet someone of celebrity and they’re the slightest bit snooty, I think of Joe and the joy that he got out of meeting his fans and the time he would give you. Rest assured Joe would have been delighted to meet you.
Oh wow – thank you so much for taking the time to share such beautiful sentiments. It actually made me well up a bit – how pathetic is that? You made my day. Thank you again.
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Nice Article Angela. Strummer was/is tremendous! And The Clash’s music and indeed much of Joe’s later work especially Streetcore sadly proves that sometimes the short fuses do, in fact burn, the most brightly and brilliantly.