Rare Clash Photo – Setlist of 2nd ever concert
I love doing the Clash Blog. I get to write about the Clash, connect with brilliant people who are Clash fans and best of all sometimes see things I’d never get to see otherwise. This is one of those days and I am able to share it with you. A few days ago Nick in England got in contact with me about a collection of Clash memorabilia he had acquired. Nick’s a serious fan going back to the earliest days of the band but what was contained in this batch of goodies surprised even him. It’s been signed and is authentic, on the surface it’s a scrap of cardboard with writing on it but the history is what matters.
On Aug 29, 1976 The Clash made what was only their second official live appearance. You can read all about the first concert in Sheffield here in an earlier post. The venue was the Screen on The Green in Islington (North London) just a stones throw from the heart of the capital. It was a historic night for so many reasons (and is scheduled for a feature shortly under my Clash Landmarks series) but for now I just have to share this photo of what Nick has acquired – the hand written setlist for the night:
The setlist for the 2nd ever gig by The Clash !!!
I can’t even to begin to express how remarkable I find seeing this to be. Words fail me….click on the image for larger view.
I’m pretty certain that’s not Strummer’s famous penmanship so I think it might be Mick’s. Nick quite rightly sees this as the centrepiece of his collection and I’d have to agree. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Tim
Hi Tim,
I don’t profess to be an expert in signature recognition, but I have seen approximately 200+ of Mick’s signature. He signed, along with Tony James, Leo Williams and Dominic Greensmith, my Carbon Casino book and each band signature was checked when I signed my name and numbered the back of each book. I’d say Mick’s signature – allowing for the intermediate decades – is alsmost certainly genuine. The others, as you suggest, are mmmm…..questionable.
Do you know who actually wrote this setlist ? I have to say the corrugated card looks very clean/new given its age. Compare the ‘ES’ from “JONES” and “THE FLIES” and I reckon Mick may have written it…
Pete….London, just working on the Strummerville gig photos…
Columbo !!!
Yeah I understand your points but the owner bought this along with a lot of other Clash items from someone very close to the band who had passed away so I think the collection was looked after extremely well. It’s certainly not written by Strummer and the style on writing suggests Mick Jones based on what I personally have also. As you mention logic dictates that Mick probably signed it back in the day.
If the original source wasn’t also selling a number of other setlists and very rare items I’d be skeptical but in this case I’m not. I’ll get back to you on the slide show optons…it means a lot of programming and bandwidth review so I’ll research those factors first.
Tim
As to wether this is genuine personally I’d be a little concerned .It may be a setlist written by Mick but I don’t think it’s the Sheffield gig more likely what he might have liked to go through in rehearsals.Firstly I find it strange that he has misspelt JANIE JONES also it looks more like a setlist for later gigs,Joe himself stated that they played the instrumental LISTEN at Sheffield memorable because a nervous Paul messed it up.They are also reported to have played the 101ers RABIES(from the dogs of love) and Micks OH BABY OH (later GATES OF THE WEST).Also it was Joe that wrote the master setlist a job which he took great pride in and continued with The LRW and Mescaleros copies for crew etc were made but it was JOE that did the master.This just doesn’t look like a gig setlist,I’m not saying Mick did not write it I just think it’s more likely it was for rehearsals.
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Sorry I’ve just realised I said The Sheffield gig,so ignore gig comments but I stand by the rest,I think this could be from the August 13th private event at REHEARSAL REHEARSALS that was arranged for journalists ,an event more up Micks street than Joes hence him writing the list.DAVE
David,
I know what you are saying but the tracks do mirror what was recorded as having been played that night in Islington. It’s possible the exact same songs were played in Camden also but a bit of a stretch. I’ll see if the owner has any more insight.
Guys,
I am the owner of the list and if you had seen the other stuff that I got at the same time, you would know its genuine. I have another set list from 78 that I sent to Tim from the Music Machine in London. All the items I got were in pristine condition apart from a London Calling that was a bit grubby.
cheers
Thanks Nick – you’ve explained your circumstances better than I could. I’m excited to have seen the photo and content that it’s the real deal – that’s why I posted it!
Tim
Hi Nick,
Please don’t think I was suggesting that the setlist was anything less than genuine. I’m pretty sure that’s Mick’s handwriting too, given other handwriting of his I’ve seen, both signatures and writing at the Rock’n'Roll Public Library. A recent reference signature is here:
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk259/Pete23_3/CSiAuctionCartoonIMPROVEDXS.jpg
The card is in such wonderful condition and has obviously been stored with care. My only bit of Clash memorabilia is a piece of orange towelling measuring 4.5″ by 8″ from the 30th July 1982 gig at The Fairdeal in Brixton – a genuine ‘Strumguard’…which Joe threw down near the end of the gig as the gaffa tape came loose…
Pete, No problem no apology necessary!
I wish I had bought more of the stuff that was up for sale but it was a scramble and the guy selling just wanted rid of it and the prices he was selling at I had to move quickly….
I was at the fairdeal and I remember a metal barrier snapping near me and I cut my arm on it…Huge crush down the front during White Riot which I think they surprisingly started with that night…
A Strumguard is a great momento….hope you have that safe!
Tucked up in my Gibson guitar case…..Pete
Hey all,
nice to see Nick’s piece of Clash history!
Of course 30+ years after it is difficult to figure out the exact details, but it would appear that the setlist omits the 3rd song actually played during the “Screen on the Green”, i.e “I never did it”.
Interestingly, this song is in the audio file of the gig that I have, but does not appear in the cover artwork of the 2-CD bootleg released by Punk Vault a few years back.
Nick if you could get in touch with me about this setlist that would be great> I haveone very similar and would love to get it authenticated. cheers man
the59sound@hotmail.co.uk
Neil
Hi
Nick if you could get in touch with me at
the59sound@hotmail.co.uk
i have a similar setlist in red marker with sigs in biro i got off some guy on ebay. i would just like to know if its the same guy.
cheers neil