Joe Strummer the legendary frontman of The Clash passed away Sunday night (12-22) from a heart attack. He was 50 years old. 

I first heard the news from Greenmuse, one of our writers here at antiMUSIC. The heading of his email simply said, “the cold cold December just got colder”.  Strummer was one of the most influential artists of the past quarter century. His music continues to influence new generations of music fans and musicians. The Clash were one of the first punk bands to show that the genre could draw from diverse influences and their body of work took punk rock to a whole new level. 

Since the news of Strummer’s death various musicians have paid tribute to the man and his legacy. His influence truly crossed over musical boundries and he inspired musicians from across the whole musical spectrum.  What follows are some comments from various musicians. On Tuesday we sent out an email asking some musicians if they could share their thoughts about Joe Strummer. The responses we received back are posted below, along with various statements from a variety of other sources. 

From Brian Coakley (WAXAPPLES, Cadillac Tramps & Rule 62) Via an email to antiMUSIC: 

First of all I would like to say how very sad it is that Joe has left us at such a young age and with so much more great music to share.   I just had the opportunity to meet him this summer when The Cadillac Tramps played The Hootenanny with his band The Mescaleros.  I am usually a bit apprehensive to meet people I have idolized, and since the whole goal of The Cadillac Tramps was to be the "American Clash", Joe was pretty high up on the idol list.  But he, like the greatest of all great people, was nothing but kind, humble, and so worthy of my respect.  It was truly a highlight of my music career to shake his hand and talk with him.  Thanks Joe.  For the inspiration and for never letting me down.  You'll be missed. 
 

From Joe Elliot (Def Leppard) Via an email to antiMUSIC: 

I remember seeing The Clash at Sheffield Top Rank in 1977 & thinking ... Wow!!! ...compared to what was usually on at the Top Rank they couldn’t really play (in the sense of what was the norm back then) but the excitement that came off the stage was phenomenal !!! ...I went in a totally different direction music wise, but nevertheless, The Clash left a lasting impression on me to the point that every time I'm on tour I end up buying "The Clash" & "London Calling" over & over again because I left them at home !!!! What a shame we won't get to see the reunion that might just have happened next March when The Clash are inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. Condolences to ALL his family, friends & fans .......RIP
 

From Dan Saifer (Motorsoule) Via an email to antiMUSIC: 

Joe Strummer is dead. So are Joey and Dee Dee Ramone.  These were major musical icons of my generation.  I was too young to really miss John Lennon and already in bands by the time I had heard of Kurt Cobain.  Today I feel old. The Clash was one of the first bands to define the attitude that would be called punk rock.  It was about the music and the message, not the money. When you see what corporations are forcing down our throats on MTV today, calling it punk rock, bands like The Clash and artists like Joe Strummer become all that much more important.  Let's remember Joe for what he was, a pioneer that paved the way for many of us.  Let's honor him in our thoughts and music. He will be missed. 

From Mick Jones (The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite) Via The Big Audio Dynamite Website: 

Our friend and compadre is gone . . . God bless you, Joe

From The Damned via Official Website Posting:

It is with great sadness that we heard the news about Joe Strummer's death today. The Damned wish to offer sincere condolences to his wife and family at this sad time. The Damned 
 

From Bono (U2) in a statement:

The Clash was the greatest rock band. They wrote the rulebook for U2. Though I was always too much of a fan to get to know him well, we were due to meet in January to finish our Mandela song with Dave Stewart. It's such a shock

From Moby Via Official Website Posting:

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 without question 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.

From Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats, Live Aid) via an interview with the BBC: 

He was a clear contemporary, and we were rivals. I believed we had to get inside the pop culture. He believed you should always stay outside and hurl things at it. We had endless arguments about it. As we all got older I realized what a nice person he was. He was a very important musician. The Clash will be endlessly influential.

From Tom Morello (Audioslave, Rage Against The Machine) via a statement: 

He was a brilliant lyricist and the electric focal point of the greatest live band of all time. He played as if the world could be changed by a three-minute song, and when I saw the Clash play, my world was changed forever. His idealism and conviction instilled in me the courage to pick up a guitar and the courage to try to make a difference. Joe Strummer was my greatest inspiration, my favorite singer of all time and my hero. I already miss him so much.

From Johnny Ramone in a press quote:

They were unique because, here they are, breaking up at the peak of their popularity and having plenty of offers to come back, and not doing it. While other bands always come back for the money, they had a belief in what they were doing, and even though they could have used it, they never really cared about the money."

From Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) in a press quote.

He wasn't some phony. He was a big part of the whole punk movement.

From Pete Townsend (The Who) in a press quote:

That heart of his always worked too hard. I will really miss him.

From Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind): 

For another generation, Bob Dylan awoke some sense that you can sing songs that weren't just about crying in your beer. For us, it was Sandinista! A song like “Straight to Hell” remains totally ingrained of how you can create a whole other world, but another world that wasn't necessarily escapist. For me, he brought ferocity and relevance to music.

From Billy Bragg in a Press Quote: 

The Clash were the greatest rebel rock band of all time. Their commitment to making political pop culture was the defining mark of the British punk movement. One of the hardest things to do in rock & roll is walk it like you talk it. Joe Strummer epitomized that ideal and I will miss him greatly. 

more on Joe Strummer and The Clash

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