It’s hard to imagine a more fitting headliner for this summer’s fabulously named Strummer of Love Festival saluting late Clash singer/songwriter Joe Strummer than his bandmate, Clash guitarist Mick Jones, who has just been confirmed for the event which marks the 10th anniversary of Strummer’s death.
Also confirmed for the three-day blowout this August in Somerset England: the Pogues, Badly Drawn Boy, Roots Manuva, Basement Jaxx, Billy Bragg, KT Tunstall, Alabama 3 and dozens of others, making it well worth the trip for music fans with holiday time and a bit of disposable cash this summer. Plus Olympics…pshaw! Rock is where it’s at. All the cool kids know that.
And while we’re on the subject of punk rock powerhouses the Clash, test your knowledge with some trivia:
* Joe Strummer died on December 22, 2002 of an undiagnosed congenital heart defect at age 50.
* Drummer Topper Headon was kicked out just prior to 1982’s Combat Rock tour due to his heroin addiction. However, the band cited the ubiquitous and celebrity-friendly “exhaustion” at the time.
* Jones, Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon appear in Martin Scorsese’s 1983 film The King of Comedy, where they are credited as "street scum." Now that's funny.
* Speaking of Simonon, who went on to found the way-fun but short-lived surf rock group Havana 3am, despite his punk cred, he was actually the product of a rather ‘posh’ upbringing courtesy his civil servant dad and librarian mom.
* The Clash planned to record and release a single every month in 1980, but their record label, CBS, said ‘Er, no.’
Anyway, for more information about the event and for full ticket details, visit Strummeroflove.com
