Moby says it much better than I...

joe strummer died today.

the last time that i saw joe was in los angeles.
we were dancing together in a nightclub and i kept rambling on about how important his music was to me. he had such a big heart and was withoutquestion one of the most important musicians of the last 50 years.

can you even imagine a world in which the clash hadn't existed? the clash were one of those bands who were so amazing and so wonderful that people are often tempted to take them for granted. but it's worth remembering that joe and the clash made music that was emotional and political and challenging and experimental and exciting and wonderful.

if i were to write his epitaph it would read:
'here lies joe strummer, he was a compassionate and wonderful man, he wrote some of the most important music of the 20th century, and his presence here made the world a better place.'
thank you, joe, you will be sorely missed by all who knew you.
moby

"The Buzzcocks complained with coded metaphors and The Sex Pistols just railed against authority in a paean to anarchy, but The Clash grasped political activism by the throat and produced not only great punk rock, but great punk rock with a conscience."

Mark Kobayashi-Hillary, London UK

"He showed me a world to be angry with and a world to embrace. Showed me tolerance and understanding but never complacency, and always with intelligence and a barbed wit. Apart from anything else though, he rocked and he rolled - an inspiration to all of us. 'Let music have the hour, anger can be power, do you know that you can use it?'"

Chipsy, UK

"He was one of the most important figures in modern British music, a powerful performer and a wordsmith on the same level as Bob Dylan. His music had compassion and vision, backed with an agenda to change the world for the better."

Paul Gilbert, Mojo Magazine

For more, visit www.strummersite.com

I can't seem to find out why he died. Anybody know? He was only 50. That's too young. Man, did I love The Clash.

I do not have any cool quotes from the man, but I do have is just vauge feelings when I hear a song by the Clash. I remember one whole decade known has the eighties. I know we like to kid ourselves in thinking it wasn't that long ago when in fact it was. I look back on my life very little, but when I do it is always with a little bit of sadness. I should have done more with what God has given me. I now have the chance to do that. I guess that is what happens when you find out someone you knew if only by song or words leaves us. It sounds crazy but it really like losing a friend.- Brad