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Joe Strummer

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Musician

The Resume

    (August 21, 1952-December 22, 2002)
    Birth name is John Graham Mellor
    Died at fifty of a heart attack
    Vocalist/Guitarist/Co-songwriter for The Clash
    Records as Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
    Recorded with the Clash, 'The Clash,' 'Give 'em Enough Rope,' 'London Calling,' 'Sandanista,' 'Combat Rock' and 'Cut the Crap'
    Recorded solo 'Earthquake Weather,' 'Rock Art and the X-ray Style' and 'Global A Go-Go'
    Acted in 'Rude Boy,' 'The King of Comedy,' 'Straight to Hell' and 'Mystery Train'

Why he might be annoying:

    At the height of The Clash's commercial success in the early 1980's, he kicked guitarist and songwriting partner Mick Jones out of the band.
    The band soon imploded without Mick.
    Instead of embarking on a world tour after the critically acclaimed London Calling album, he and The Clash toured small English villages and playing under a different name.
    He and the band's manager cooked up a phony 'Joe is missing' stunt where Joe hid out from friends and family to drum up media attention.
    The movies he appeared in are extremely arty and difficult to watch at times.
    When Courtney Love told him she wanted to be a rock and roll singer, he told her she was a no talent (some might say this isn't an annoying trait).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He had made up with Mick Jones in recent years and remains fiercely loyal to other Clash members Paul Simonon and Topper Headon.
    His band, The Clash, was dubbed 'the only band that matters' by the media.
    He is a strong advocate of racial unity.
    Despite being born into a life of privilege (the son of a British diplomat), Joe worked the subway tunnels of London panhandling with a guitar.
    His overseas life as a child gave him a diverse music interest.
    He is a punk rocker who collaborated with Bob Dylan.
    He and the Clash helped popularize Reggae music in Great Britain.
    His music is almost always political in nature.
    His recent songs still push the envelope of songwriting incorporating elements from Celtic folk tunes, rockabilly, techno and reggae.
    Bands that cite him and the Clash as a major influence include U2, Rage Against the Machine, 311 and more.

Credit: Riff Raff 12


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 228 Votes: 62.28% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 327 Votes: 53.21% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 74 Votes: 41.89% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 36 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 27 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 25 Votes: 32.00% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 22 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 55 Votes: 47.27% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 51 Votes: 41.18% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 41 Votes: 46.34% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 161 Votes: 45.96% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 407 Votes: 40.79% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 757 Votes: 42.40% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 647 Votes: 43.89% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 815 Votes: 42.45% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 1521 Votes: 60.36% Annoying