The counterfeit Clash

STAR WAS ONE OF THE TRUE GREATS

Joe was not just a great bloke - he was also a great musician who wasn't afraid to take a chance and write lyrics that made a difference.

Music has become such a commercial, packaged and horrible industry with manufactured bands everywhere - but  Joe Strummer was in a different league.

He wasn't afraid to speak his mind, take a chance and put his neck on the line. I didn't always agree with his politics but you couldn't help listen to the man,  He wore his heart very much on his sleeve.  He was a man who would take that gamble, roll up his sleeves and, with his strong political views, would make people sit up and listen.  He had the bottle to take the music scene by the scruff of the neck. Without Joe Strummer and The Clash, many other bands would not have got into the scene. He and the Clash even became big in America - something the Pistols couldn't manage.

But Joe was never flash. You could always chat to him no matter who you were.  He was as happy mixing with some anorak down the pub and chatting about his lyrics, politics or the as he was mixing with Hollywood stars.  His death is a very sad day for the music scene. Yet again it's one of the good guys who's died too young.

(Glen Matlock in The Sun 24/12/02)

e-mail: counterfeitclash@sky.com