New York City
Sometimes writing about something doesn’t capture the moment the same way an image might do. I was doing some research about the Palladium in New York (a venue no more) and the series of shows The Clash performed there in 1979-1980. When doing some studying this image was found taken at that venue in March 1980. It’s one of those photographs that I can just linger over and see how simply ‘right’ The Clash looked on stage. You can feel the harmony of the event, the energy and the fury from a simple photograph. It’s a very positive thing.
I wanted to write about New York as tomorrow is Sep 11th, I wanted to associate something positive to that dark day and maybe that’s the point you really can’t can you? It’s 29 years since this photo was taken, it’ll be 8 years since New York made the headlines for all the wrong reasons in September 2001 and doubtless you’ll see those images once more and ask yourself why. Perhaps if you are like me you’ll be a little revolted that reality TV and political infighting have replaced what seemed to be much bigger questions that it seemed humanity needed to face at the beginning of this decade. Perhaps it just shows that time relentlessly marches on, was September 11 more horrifying than 1939-1945 for example? Of course not. Is it as close to complete chaos as our generation has experienced? Arguably so.
So back to the photo…The Clash, enjoying music, attending concerts, being a ‘fan’ are amongst the greatest things imaginable for me. Being at a brilliant concert can be one of the greatest unifying events imaginable. The images you’ll all see on the news again this Friday are the primal opposite of that feeling of unity. I don’t have any answers to those bigger questions. In the weeks after 9/11 I thought the world would have to wake up and face the questions this raised. I thought a new dawn of peace and understanding had to follow, that this must mark a critical turning point. How wrong I was as the intervening years have seen nothing but intolerance and irresponsible actions, committed on whose behalf exactly? I’m not a nationalist nor do I find much stock in patriotism. Those things aren’t inclusive as they create walls and barriers. I always thought that the message from The Clash and the notion of punk was to eradicate those divides. To ask questions and seek parity and reduce the divides that tear us apart as a society. I expected so much more from this decade, I’ll expect more from the next. As a species we can be so marvellous but also so incredibly sinister, I hope the former rises to the top. A riot of our own…it must be time.
Just been reading your latest post Tim,brilliant bit of writing mate,as Joe would put it “they should put that on a billboard in Times Sq”.I’ve been a Clash fan since the beginning and like you followed the mighty four through their post Clash adventures,I knew there were people like me complete mad fanatics but your something else,I mean that in the nicest way possible,I always thought The Clash lacked somebody to do them justice in written terms,somebody who writes from the heart the way they played.Well call off the search we’ve found him in you Tim.Your blog is everything the Clash were and just has that Clash feel about it.As you know there is so much crap out there and you really are the only blog that matters.I just want you to know how much your hard work is appreciated and to thank you for the respect you show the band.I just hope Paul Mick or Topper come across it,I’m sure they’d be impressed.Once again THANKS Tim all the best for the future and most important of all STAY FREE !!!
David,
Blimey that’s really nice to read – I do my best with it and like writing in general I suppose. The blog is really rewarding and easy to do when you care about the subject matter. Some topics are easier to address than others and I guess reacting to the world at large along with the music is something I’m not always brave enough to do – so your comments are really helpful. I don’t know nearly as much as some Clash fans, I do know that the impact of the band shaped who I am to an amazing degree and I hope for the better. The blog was always aimed at bringing people together and sharing ideas and experiences so even with that lofty goal I’m satisfied so far.
Best
Tim
Hi Tim!
After reading your post I havent got words to write. I just wanted to say thanks you for The Clash photo!!!! Although, I’m young and I did not live those amazing shows I love those men and I miss Joe!!!!
I agree with David above, Tim, and you have definitely achieved your goal.
On a related note to today’s post, I have some photos that may be of interest to you, as I just was in NYC for the very first time last week. I have a photo of the site of the World Trade Center as we stayed right around the corner from it (totally randomly, thanks to one of the stay at a nice hotel for cheap sites). I also made pilgrimage to the Joe Strummer memorial mural just prior to leaving. I’d be happy to share them, just let me know.
Thanks for creating such a great place.
Thanks Shannon. I’ve not returned to Manhattan since that event, not sure I can picture the island that differently (as it now is). I think a greater memorial would be some steps toward achieving peace in a region that has become somewhat of a crusade now. I’ll respectfully decline adding the images to the site as I’ll get known as a political blog if I’m not careful but I don’t subscribe to the response by the UK and the US in the years since.
The Strummer mural though…we like that!!!!
Right, gotcha.
[...] I’d already briefly written about it on a post at this time year, but please feel free to jump back to that and read it if you would like. What I would like to touch on this evening concerns another of the world’s great cities [...]