December 22, 2002 the world, and by association Johnny, lost Joe. A sudden heart attack claimed Johnny's musical idol and inspiration for so long. He stood for what was right about music and more importantly the music business. He demanded lower album prices for fans. He demanded the warm-up acts on his tours be treated equally with The Clash and when he found out the promoters weren't shared what his band had. Johnny read an article that one night in a bar meeting with magazine reporters he wondered outloud why a player piano/cd playing piano was allowed to exist instead of a musician who was being paid proper money for a live performance.
In his memory we dedicate the Jersey City Desk today.
Todays SPOILED bands and/or artists should heed his excellent example.
ReplyDeleteI share in your sentiments Johnny.
Thanks anonymous, he's the most influential artist of the last couple decades is my opinion. We've heard his work in covers and woven into the music in a lot of places, as divergent as Rage Against the Machine, to Indian hip hop artist M.I.A. to British pop tart Lily Allen.
ReplyDeleteJohnny may go wander over to the East Village tonight and stand before the mural to Joe outside the bar Niagra.
Another story I'm fond of telling is Joe walking through Paris and bumping into one of the members of Tears for Fears outside a cafe. Joe tapped him on the shoulder and told either Curt or Roland that they had lifted a Clash song at some point or some back beat to one of their tunes and that was going to require payment. Joe told them they owed him a beer which they sat together and drank to settle up.
No lawyers necessary.
Oh man - the mind of that guy was without equal. A major loss to music. An artist with integrity that matched his talent. Can't say enough good stuff. Except that I still maintain that 'London Calling' is the best rock album EVER.
ReplyDeleteEVER, I agree. He's the most influential songwriter and performer in eons. So many articles I read from music acts today credit Joe and the Clash.
ReplyDeleteI've teared up over only two celebs dying, John Candy and Joe Strummer. I knew Paul Newman was very sick or it would have been three.