Let's celebrate Joe Strummer's Birthday Aug 21
This coming Friday Aug 21st Joe Strummer would have turned 57 if he was still with us. Many celebrations and memorials revolve around the December 22nd anniversary of his passing but I’d like to celebrate his life on his birthday this week. Nothing too elaborate planned – though I thought this might be nice.
In honour of his 57th year – please write up to 57 words to describe Joe. How he impacted you, what his music meant to you. How his views and lyrics may have changed your life. Just some sentences about Joe – For Joe.
If you can either submit via comments on this post – or email me via Tim(at)theclashblog.com (I’ll not post anything until Thursday night). It doesn’t have to be 57 words – if 18 do it for you, no worries! Only if you want, please include your first name, age (optional), and location so I can post that.
I will post all ‘birthday wishes’ and ‘tributes’ on the 21st as a single post for that day – and they will also be forwarded to Lucinda Strummer/Mellor.
I also think the greatest tribute is to fire up your stereo/mp3/ipod turn the volume up and play some Clash songs and then send a few Pounds/Dollars/Euro or Yen to Strummerville. You know it makes sense.
You don’t have to count your words manually either – it’s 2009 just cut and paste your text and visit here to count them up.
Cheers – Tim
What a nice idea. I’ll be sending mine! Thanks for a great blog Tim.
Passion, Integrity, determination, courage, insight, education, politics, humility, action, inspiration, meaning, hope, input, output, honesty, music, lyrics, rhyming, dub, multiculturalism, tolerance, enthusiasm, activism, faith, dignity, excitement, respect, humanity, recklessness, responsibility, importance, style, campfires, ganja, community, ethics, morals, activism, belief, commitment, expression, focus, club dawn, camaraderie, tymon dogg, tenacity, future forests, customised guitars, awareness, purpose, participation and positivity.
[...] almost put up with the weather, the cost of living and Tottenham fans to get over for this. Don’t forget our own birthday bash tribute for Joe this week. Image courtesy of [...]
[...] as an office building, I believe Catherine exposed me to this. Finally – don’t forget Joe Strummer’s 57th birthday recognition this Friday and if you can please send a tribute. Cheers ~ AKPC_IDS += "1543,"; Share the only blog that matters [...]
That is a fantastic idea, Tim. I agree with you about celebrating Joe’s life, and I wish I would hear more tributes on the radio or elsewhere that give Joe the honor he deserves, esp. on the date of his birth. 57 words…sort of like heinz ketchup, eh? It will be a challenge to keep my tribute to 57 words…maybe more like 570? or 157? Well, it will be fun in any event because whenever I think of Joe there is always something to think about him that makes me smile, laugh or ponder.
Anyone who really wants to celebrate the immensity of Joe’s life, and feel the width and breadth of his influence on people from all walks of life…watch the extras on The Future is Unwritten DVD. There is a section where people tell their favorite stories about Joe. Keep a box of tissues handy; the part with mick Jones would reduce the Hulk to a sopping mess, but it is so worth it. My favorite memories were Julien Temple’s song describing Joe carrying him around the festival on his shoulders; Joe’s impromptu meeting with a very well-known person here in the US (I won’t give it away); an the story that Flea told about a fan’s meeting Joe on the street. Actually that’s probably my fav one because I always imagine the fan being me, and how thrilling to find out what a sweetheart Joe was no matter what.
Hey thanks again Tim for giving us an outlet. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Joannie,
It’s hard to know how to pay respects/say thanks to Joe Strummer. I think sharing and Strummerville are the best I can offer. Plus telling people about The Clash….which I do rather often….
[...] met the contenders, all you’ve got to do is click. Please write some words to me for Joe Strummer’s 57th birthday – it’s the least we should do. Speaking of…this man who put candles in all dark [...]
Happy Birthday Joe. Thanks for showing so many of us that you really could just get up and do it.Inspiration for a generation and so much more.Simply the worlds’ greatest ever band.So along with Mick, Paul and Topper, wherever you may be, GO EASY, STEP LIGHTLY, STAY FREE.
Happy Birthday Joe. Don’t know what I would be if I hadnt started listening to you. After I started listening to your songs, nothing compared. I wish you were still around and that I could’ve met you. But nonetheless, it doesn’t matter because I know how much of a great man and musician you were. R.I.P
Baz – my humble apologies – this went to my spam filter….it’s a great contribution I will post asap!~
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Joe Strummer was – is – a rebel with heart. His contribution and influence changed what music has been ever since, and has impacted lives of fans more than anyone can imagine. Joe is my guide in every decision I make. When posed with a tough situation, I always ask myself WWJD – What would Joe Do?