Very few British bands have been able to sustain an appeal across various musicals genres, whilst also generating commercial success at the same time. There was one band who did bring this altogether - and that band was 'The Clash'. Classed initially as a punk band, 'The Clash' went onto worldwide acclaim. The band's music and lyrics had a definite leftist feel, almost to the point of contradiction of punk at times, but proved that out of the ashes of anarchy could rise a commercially and critically successful band.

Formed in Ladbroke Grove, South West London in 1976 by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Keith Levene and Terry Chimes - the band had their first gig supporting the 'Sex Pistols' in July 1976. By September Keith Levene had left. Although contributing to live performances and songwriting, Levene never recorded with the band, and was subsequently sacked for never turning up for practice sessions. By the Autumn of that year they were signed to CBS records and performing regularly on the emerging punk scene. In November Terry Chimes also left the band and was briefly replaced by Rob Harper for the 'Anarchy' tour, but was drafted back for the recording of the debut album 'The Clash' which was released in April 1977.

The first single 'White Riot' was released in March 1977 - just breaking into the UK Top 40 at #38. Within the space of two months a further two more singles were released in the form of 'Capital Radio One' and 'Remote Control', but neither failed to break the UK Top 40. However, the album itself proved to be a strong debut, reaching a high of #12 in the album charts.

The next three UK single releases were all non-LP tracks, but each managing to break into the UK Top 40. 'Complete Control' (often cited as one Punk's greatest anthems) was released in September 1977 charting at #28. In February 1978 the next single was 'Clash City Rockers' which reached a peak position of #35. Another cult track was '(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais' which was released in June 1978 and reached a chart high of #32.

After constant changing of drummers, 'The Clash' eventually settled with Topper Headon for the recording of the album 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', where he became a permanent fixture until 1982. The album was released on the 10th of November 1978, and was a great UK success peaking at position #2. The next single 'Tommy Gun' was released two weeks later and reached #19 in the Top 40. The only other single to be released from this album was 'English Civil War' in February 1979, which could only muster a high of #25. It is whilst touring with this album that the band cemented their reputation as a 'must see' live act, gaining much critical acclaim along the way. The album was a major success reaching a high position of #2 in the UK.

It was to be over a year later when the next album 'London Calling', a double LP, was released on the 14th of December 1979. Regarded by many as the band's masterpiece album. A week prior to the album release, the only single released from the LP was title track 'London Calling', which reached a UK Top 40 position of #11, and proved to be their second biggest single hit. The album was also a solid commercial success, reaching number #9.

In 1980, 'The Clash' planned to release a single every month, but their label CBS had baulked at the idea. Instead, the band invested their time and energy in creating their fourth studio album 'Sandinista!', a triple LP with a total of 36 tracks. The non-LP track 'Bank Robber' was released in August 1980 and reached a UK Top 40 high of #12, giving the band their 3rd UK Top 20 hit. The next 3 singles were all to come from the album. 'The Call Up' was released in November 1980, and just scraped into the charts at position #40. The album itself hit the shops on December the 12th 1980, and reached a peak of #19. The next two singles were 'Hitsville UK' in January 1981 (#56) and 'The Magnificent Seven' in April 1981 (#34). As an album it received mixed reviews. Some claimed 'Sandinista!' would have made more of a commercial impact if it was less ambitious and and with less tracks and more focused, whilst others made comparisons to the ingenuities of 'The Beatles' - 'White Album'.

It was to be almost a year and half later before the fifth studio album 'Combat Rock' was released in May 1982, and charted at #2. During the break between albums, only one non-LP single was released, which was 'This is Radio Clash' (#47). The first single release from this album was 'Know Your Rights' (#43) in April 1982. The next single in June 1982 was 'Rock The Casbah' which could only hit a high of #30 in the UK, but was to be the band's biggest hit in the US. It was released in September 1982 stateside, hitting a high #8 in the US Billboards Charts. The final single release from this album was a double A-Side 'Should I Stay or Should I Go / Straight To Hell' peaking at #17. It was the last album to feature the "original" line-up before Mick Jones left, and Topper Headon was kicked out for his heroin addiction. Many felt this was the turning point for the band. Only Simonon and Strummer remained from the original line-up.

Over three years later, 'The Clash' released what was to be their final studio album 'Cut The Crap' in November 1985, using studio musicians, drum machines and synths. It was received poorly both commercially and critically, only managing an album chart high of #16 in the UK and #88 in the United States. One of the possible main reasons for the album's shortcomings was Joe Strummer becoming disillusioned with the group and also grieving the deaths of his parents. Strummer would later disown the album. The only single release was 'This Is England' in September 1985 and hit a high of #24.

'The Clash' officially disbanded in 1986, after 10 years of varying degrees of commercially successful albums. Lead singer Joe Strummer went on to do some bit part acting and soundtrack recording for films such as 'Sid & Nancy' and 'Grosse Pointe Blank', before releasing a solo album in 1989 called 'Earthquake Weather' which failed to receive any commercial or critical success. After guest appearing with numerous bands such as 'Bad Audio Dynamite', 'The Pogues' and 'Black Grape'. In the late 1990s, Strummer formed a backing band he called 'The Mescaleros'. On December 22nd 2002 Strummer died suddenly of a congenital heart defect at the age of 50.

Mick Jones was arguably the most successful after 'The Clash', notching many hits with 'Big Audio Dynamite' during the 80s and 90s, before then moving into production. Jones produced 'The Libertines' first two albums as well as 'Babyshambles' debut album. He is currently touring with his new band 'Carbon/Silicon'.

Following the break-up of The Clash, Paul Simonon formed a group called Havana 3am, which recorded only one album in Japan and quickly folded. Then Simonon returned to his roots as a visual artist, mounting several art-gallery shows.

Topper Headon spent most of the 80s and 90s battling his heroin addiction. After many years of rehabilitation, he has overcome his habit, and is performing live again.

'The Clash' had much appeal for Football Casuals as their music encompassed many different genres and styles, from reggae to punk and from ska to rockabilly - there was always something unique to experience. The leftist ideology may not have been embraced by many Football Casuals, but its our belief it was the music alone which spoke and inspired. An enigmatic front man lost in the shape of Joe Strummer, but left with a legacy of turning the ramblings of adolescence of punk into something more meaningful. 'The Clash' are sorely missed.

ICONIC TRACKS: 'London Calling', 'Guns Of Brixton' & 'White Man In Hammersmith Palais'
RECCOMENDED ALBUM: 'London Calling' (1979)