Probably. Joe Strummer co-wrote and co-produced part of Mick Jones’ alternative dance post-Clash project Big Audio Dynamite’s second album, No. 10 Upping Street. Those songs that co-written by Strumer were some of B.A.D.’s best.
According to Redemption Song, Joe Strummer was looking to reunite the band as early as 1990. He realized what an awful mistake he had made in sacking Topper Headon and especially Mick Jones, a mistake which he blamed, to some extent, the influence of Clash svengali Bernie Rhodes.
For all his talent, in some ways Joe Strummer was not a strong personality and had a tendency to blow in the wind when it came to opinions , depending on who he was speaking to.
For all his talent, in some ways Joe Strummer was not a strong personality and had a tendency to blow in the wind when it came to opinions , depending on who he was speaking to.
As the 90s wore on, Mick Jones was increasingly open to the idea of reuniting; but it was always blocked by bassist Paul Simonon, who thought that the legacy of the Clash would be hurt by a reunion tour. Joe Strummer was eager to reunite at the Clash’s induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was in the process of trying to persuade Simonon to join up with them(Jones and Headon were game.) However, he died of a congenital heart defect before the induction ceremony and the Clash was forever stuck in past.
In my opinion, it was just a matter of time before Strummer/Jones reunited in some form or another; their partnership was just too good not to; indeed, Strummer had already sent Jones lyrics for him to put to music when he died. I personally believe that Simonon would have eventually come around.
Written Feb 8th
I say maybe. But maybe.
ReplyDeleteWell, this is all according to a very good biography written by a journalist who was in the same social circle as the rest of the Clash. I highly recommend it, it is quite a loving portrait of Strummer, presenting him with all his warts but not in a smeary negative way.
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