Mick Jones, Billy Bragg and Wayne Kramer (last night)
Last night at Proud in Camden Town North London the premiere of the Breaking Rocks (The Jail Guitar Doors film) took place. It was followed up by a gig headlined by Mr Billy Bragg.
Needless to say without Pete Stevens I’d just be writing to tell you how great the event was (I hope) and that the film is intense (I’m reckoning) and that Billy looked so cool (he does) and Mick is the business (he is). Thanks to Pete I’ve got some photo evidence below. You know the two protagonists and the man in red is none other than Wayne Kramer. I’ll be fishing for more news and views for you tomorrow and in the meantime here are some photos to get you started. Pete – Thanks as ever – lovely shots!!
Looks like a prize drawing with Bragg (images kind courtesy Pete Stevens)
Mick Jones and Wayne Kramer (images kind courtesy Pete Stevens)
Billy Mick Wayne (images kind courtesy Pete Stevens)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tim Merrick. Tim Merrick said: London Calling: Mick Jones, Billy Bragg and Wayne Kramer (last night) http://bit.ly/Ysggz [...]
Just out of curiosity what is the JGD policy/criteria on what type of prisoners get a guitar/support from the project? are the instruments given to those convicted of serious violent offences? if so i wonder what the victims/familys/those affected by the original crimes think about this project.
Thanks for your post. I’m not aware of there being a ‘criteria’ for the ‘type’ of inmate who is involved, nor do I think there may be one. Ultimately the project is aimed at being a new and positive means of rehabilitation which is thoroughly lacking in the prison system. I’m sure nobody is then polling the victims to see what they think. It’s a different topic altogether (not to say not a fair question) though I prefer to focus on the positive aspect of offenders leaving prison with a new skill that they can put to good use.
Is that a cartoon drawing by Stuart Warwick that is in the picture with Billy Bragg? It certainly looks like his work! If so, I have to say Congrats to Stu who has been plugging away for some time and has sent me some really nifty toonage of Mick, Tony and Dave Grohl.
What a beautiful shot of Mick planting one on Billy — once again the photos are just wonderful, and keeping me very happy though all these events are inaccessible. Thank you Pete for sharing your photos with us. And thanks Tim for keeping the “web guitar doors” wide open.
I don’t really want to start any controversy, but to yobop: one never knows if those that are imprisoned are really guilty of the crimes of which they are accused. I’ve just read an outstanding book on such circumstances “Picking Cotton” — a real eye-opener. Not to mention Hurricane Reuben Carter’s story and “The Innocent Man” by John Grisham (true story). In that vein i would have to say that any and all inmates should be included in any rehabilitation program that is offered. (And that’s not to say that I wouldn’t have the same opinion if someone were absolutely guilty either.) It’s just something to think about. No system is 100% foolproof and by all means that includes the “justice” system.
Hi Joannie – yeah thats one of my pictures. Thanks for your kind words – I’m sorry i couldnt reply to your twitter message – its been barred here (at work) since I opened the account. i tried your old email but dont know if that works any more.
I did a Chris Shiflett one as well which I hear he liked. The pictures were signed and raffled on the night (good night it was to) but no one claimed them so they are going to try again at another event. So if anyone out there sees them – have a punt – these antiques of the future could be worth literally pennies in years to come!
Stu -
Nice of you to get in touch!!
Tim
Cheers Tim! I havent forgotten the Tiddenfoot pictures – that’ll be 33 years ago this friday that the Clash played there! I’ll try and get down there soon – I hear the old bar is a gym now so dont know if I’ll get access.
In reply to yobop – the guitars and other musical equipment are provided to prisons, rather than to prisoners. This way they’re designated for use by music rehabilitation programs, rather than being given to specific individuals.
Hi Stu — that’s great I hope the exposure helps you out! I can’t believe it didn’t sell — but these are such hard times, aren’t they?
my email is no longer embarqmail; it’s netzero.com (just use the same preface and then @netzero.com)
How does Mrs Stu like the new Foo Fighters song “Wheels” — I heard it this morning and it’s terrific. How cool that a Foo ended up playing with Mick and Billy. Very cool. Foos are def up there on my all-time fav live bands list, so they’ve already been linked with the Clash in my head for a long time.
Anyway nice to hear from you, good luck with your work. I look at the MJ/TJ weather cartoon every morning and it never fails to make me smile.
[...] as I know London like the back of my hand) but not being there can be a hindrance. So as you know (or can revisit the story here) Mick Jones, Billy Bragg, Wayne Kramer and a host of others played an exclusive gig in conjunction [...]