Research Catalog

Title

Redemption song : the definitive biography of Joe Strummer / Chris Salewicz.

Author

Salewicz, Chris

Publication

London : HarperCollins, 2006.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Description

xi, 660 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.), facsims., ports.; 24 cm.

Summary

The Clash was--and still is--one of the most important groups of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Indebted to rockabilly, reggae, Memphis soul, cowboy justice, and '60s protest, the overtly political band railed against war, racism, and a dead-end economy, and in the process imparted a conscience to punk. Their eponymous first record and London Calling still rank in Rolling Stone's top-ten best albums of all time, and in 2003 they were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Joe Strummer was the Clash's front man, a rock-and-roll hero seen by many as the personification of outlaw integrity and street cool. The political heart of the Clash, Strummer synthesized gritty toughness and poetic sensitivity in a manner that still resonates with listeners, and his untimely death in December 2002 shook the world, further solidifying his iconic status. Music journalist Chris Salewicz was a friend to Strummer for close to three decades and has covered the Clash's career and the entire punk movement from its inception. With exclusive access to Strummer's friends, relatives, and fellow musicians, Salewicz penetrates the soul of an icon. He uses his vantage point to write the definitive biography of Strummer, charting his enormous worldwide success, his bleak years in the wilderness after the Clash's bitter breakup, and his triumphant return to stardom at the end of his life. In the process, Salewicz argues for Strummer's place in a long line of protest singers that includes Woody Guthrie, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, and examines by turns Strummer's and punk's ongoing cultural influence.

Alternative Title

• Definitive biography of Joe Strummer
• Biography of Joe Strummer
• Joe Strummer

Subject

• Strummer, Joe
• Clash (Musical group)
• Rock musicians > Great Britain > Biography

Genre/Form

Biographies

Note

• Includes index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

1. Straight to heaven 2002 -- 2. R.I. Punk 2002 -- 3. Indian summer 1999 -- 4. Stepping out of Babylon (One more time) 2003 (1952-1957) -- 5. Be true to your school (like you would to your girl) 1957-1964 -- 6. Blue apples 1965-1969 -- 7. The magic vest 1970-1971 -- 8. The bad shoplifter goes gravedigging 1971-1974 -- 9. Pillars of wisdom 1974-1975 -- 10. 'This man is a star!' 1975-1976 -- 11. I'm going to be a punk rocker 1976 -- 12. Under heavy manners 1976-1977 -- 13. The all-night drug-prowling wolf 1977-1979 -- 14. Red hand of fate 1979 -- 15. News of clock nine 1979-1980 -- 16. I am take a holiday 1980-1981 -- 17. The news behind the news 1981-1982 -- 18. Anger was cooler 1982-1984 -- 19. Spanish bombs 1984-1985 -- 20. Man of mystery 1985-1987 -- 21. Soldiers of misfortune 1987-1988 -- 22. On the other hand ... 1988-1989 -- 23. The reckless alternative 1990-1991 -- 24. The cool impossible 1991-1993 -- 25. The excitement gang 1993-1997 -- 26. Let's rock again! 1998-2000 -- 27. Campfire tales 2000-2002 -- 28. Bringing it all back home 2002 -- 29. Coda (the West) 2002-2003 -- Index.

ISBN

• 0007172117 :
• 9780007172115

OCLC

• 56453736
• SCSB-10195978

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library