Joe Strummer, music legend and political activist, dead.

December 23,2002
Brooklyn, USA

Joe Strummer former frontman of 'the only band that mattered' (the Clash), musician, activist and music legend died today at his home in England of a heart attack. For us at La Lutta NMC and myself in particular, his passing marks the end of an era that seems may never exist again. Strummer was the political conscious of a generation, an inspiration to all who followed and represented the hope and spirit that music and other creative activity should engender.

I had the great fortune of meeting him for an interview on a few occassions during 2002 and was scheduled to meet him once again in March 2003. Coming on the heels of the tragic loss of Jam Master Jay, the impact of Strummer's death and more importantly his life, cannot be adequately described on these or any pages.

Finally, Strummer died at age 50, the same age of another punk legend Joey Ramone who Strummer eulogized at the end of each show via a powerful cover of the Ramones classic Blitkrieg Bop. Kevin and myself will leave with you the lyrics of a Strummer penned classic, Clampdown, which provides us with daily inspiration.

Stay tuned for Antonino's full lenght piece on Strummer, Remember to Kick it Over: The Life and Politics of Joe Strummer, published by Monthly Review coming in April 2003

-words & photos, Antonino D'Ambrosio, La Lutta NMC

Clampdown
(Strummer/Jones)

What are we gonna do now? Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew? 'Cause they're working for the clampdown They put up a poster saying we earn more than you! When we're working for the clampdown We will teach our twisted speech To the young believers We will train our blue-eyed men To be young believers

The judge said five to ten-but I say double that again I'm not working for the clampdown No man born with a living soul Can be working for the clampdown Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall How can you refuse it?

Let fury have the hour, anger can be power D'you know that you can use it? The voices in your head are calling Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming Only a fool would think someone could save you The men at the factory are old and cunning You don't owe nothing, so boy get runnin' It's the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down You're working for the clampdown You start wearing the blue and brown You're working for the clampdown So you got someone to boss around It makes you feel big now

You drift until you brutalize You made your first kill now In these days of evil presidentes Working for the clampdown But lately one or two has fully paid their due For working for the clampdown But ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!

And I've given away no secrets Who's barmy now?