Bernie Rhodes. Even writing his name sends thoughts about perceptions of who he was (and is) racing through me. I wanted to write about Bernie to determine if I could make more sense of the fragments that I’ve learned over the years. The finished article here might be a long time in coming, I can’t construct a path because I’m not even sure of the destination. Let me approach it this way, I’ll fill in the facts, discuss some of the rumours and perhaps the legions of Clash fans can fill in the blanks to make more sense of it.

If you’re new to the name and some people might be, Rhodes is best associated with being the manager of The Clash. I’ve seen him described as the founder, the creator, the brains behind, the svengali, the puppetmaster, the cancer, the destroyer, the enemy within, the policial might of, the bank manager and so the list goes on. The truth to varying degrees is probably all of those labels apply and many more besides.

Rhodes also wears the unfortunate tag of being seen as the chief culprit behind The Clash splitting up. I don’t profess to know if that’s a fact, I do acknowledge he was a very key part of Mick Jones being dismissed from the band. On the other hand the history books tell us he was the one who introduced Paul and Mick to Joe Strummer in the very first place. Rhodes is portayed as Malcolm McLaren light, the Clash as the Diet Sex Pistols. Rhodes is portayed as a chancer with one eye on the till and the other on the latest fashion. I do know this, The Clash were far superior to the Pistols.

Bernie watched these

I’ve read enough now to be more confused than ever about Rhodes as a person yet I think he was critical in what the Clash became. I think he was crucial in ensuring Joe Strummer became a spokesman for the movement. I also think he was a power broker and was driven by the ethos of keeping the band (quite literally) hungry, poor and burning for more. The closest I can come to a conclusion is two-fold.

1. The core of the band in 1976 were Jones (21) Simonon (20) Strummer (24) and Chimes (20 that Summer), the drummer’s stool occupied by Terry Chimes, Rob Harper and then Chimes again. Bernie Rhodes was a veteran(in their eyes) as a survivor from a Bohemian London in the 1960′s. At the age of 29/30 he seemed to have so much extra experience in the eyes of the band.  Although only just over two years passed before he was sacked in 1978 I think that ‘age dominance’ was reduced and the band felt better able to be self managed. The maturity that travel and success had brought coupled with a huge lack of cash meant the band aged in a flash. They wanted autonomy.

2. Rhodes obviously understood relationships and how to test people’s loyalty. Originally hired to manage the Steve Jones / London SS it was Rhodes who got Paul Simonon in the fold. It was Rhodes who delivered Strummer (who already had a band on the fringes of success) to the band by holding his hand to the fire. From Mick and Paul it seems he had loyalty by persevering even when the odds looked stacked. From Joe he had loyalty as an agent, the man to deliver Strummer to a higher plateau. I think Joe hated being ‘the bad guy’ and Rhodes became not only the vote splitter but also the big brother Joe no longer had. As the eldest member of the band I’m convinced Strummer felt that inherent pressure could defer to Bernie.

None of which solves why the band rehired him 3 years later, nor pinpoints the later disintergration. I am as close to sure as I can be that divided loyalties (for Joe) were at the heart of it and for all of Strummer’s brilliance ironing out an issue in his own band wasn’t one of his skills.

I’ll write part 2 and 3 in the week ahead, looking at where Rhodes is now and also how he got the Clash role. If I’m still coherent then I’ll seek a conclusion.

G’night – Tim