Well it’s that time of year isn’t it – and I’m not talking about presents and religous holidays. Tomorrow marks the 7th anniversary of the death of Joe Strummer. Where do I begin to write about that tomorrow? Since I started the Clash Blog I’ve enjoyed covering many of the positive news and future developments around the band members and their exploits, however on a regular basis the nagging reminder that this is only running on three cyclinders is never far from my thoughts.

I wish I was writing about Joe Strummer’s new record and tour – and not his memorial concerts. I wish Joe was visiting Mick’s exhibition this past Summer along with Lucinda instead of her without him. I wish Joe had seen this decade unfold and heard what he had to say. However, wishing won’t change anything and I dare say many of you share these sentiments so I won’t ramble on about what isn’t.

Tomorrow I’ll try and explain what Joe Strummer means to me – I think it important to keep that in the present tense. I wasn’t friends with Joe or The Clash….I didn’t spend time with him or them. I was lucky enough to be exposed to their music and views at an early age and it profoundly shaped who I’ve become. Not ‘knowing’ Joe I suppose should make much it easier then right? Of course the grief we (as ‘fans’) share is somehow more pedestrian than the loss felt by his family and close friends. I hope that those same people are still being inspired by Joe seven years on, I know many people are.

Somehow the loss of Joe has made people explore the depths of the man with greater scrutiny and (usually) respect. I’m not a seasoned journalist looking to put The Clash on a pedestal and compare in terms of importance with The Beatles or The Stones, The Doors or The Velvet Underground, Oasis or Blur. I can only write about how The Clash and therefore by default Joe impacted my life. I’ve learned over the months of doing the blog that my ‘knowledge’ of The Clash, of punk and the scene that spawned it is still growing and so many of you have so much to offer. It could be your age, your location, the people you know or ‘dedication’ to the band and its great to share those experiences – but I know we share that one crucial thing our memory that  – THE CLASH MEANT SOMETHING – (and were somehow ‘ours’)

I’ve lost people in my life of course as we all have. When you know them personally its different, you have a personal relationship and ideally you’ve had a chance to say how you appreciate, respect and love them. I do think our sole purpose is  building positive relationships and being good to those we care about. With Joe it was different, I never was able to say thank you, never had a chance to explain how he shaped my youth and then my adult life, I was 11 when I first heard The Clash and 35 when Joe died – I lost such a great friend.

I won’t start a contest about how much it hurt to lose Strummer…at some point (maybe this year…but probably not) I’ll try and explain how late December of 2002 went for me. For whatever reason there were difficult changes all year long (many of which were on the face of it more relevant) but the loss of Joe right before Christmas allowed me to grieve for a long while. Fuck it was difficult wasn’t it? Strummer couldn’t die….that wasn’t part of the plan. If you want to write something about Joe….please please do so in the comments section (or I can extra posts tomorrow)

It took me a few years to realise that his death didn’t mean the end of what his life was about…and hopefully in some strange way it elevated it to a new place. Some days it makes me bloody angry, other days a bit gloomy but most days I feel fortunate – fortunate that I knew a band could change your life – and that trying to be a decent person was more important than possessions, accomplishments or recognition. Strummer never stopped trying to be decent and make a difference. Despite his many faults he never stopped growing – that’s a good life in my book.