My Leg Ends of Pop Music – Part Ten – The Clash

After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop.  These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.

I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.

Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C.  The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.

H/T to Brett of this parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage.

So, on we go with No 11 on my list: – The Clash

Possibly not that controversial, apart from with the die-hard fans.

Courtesy of Wiki:

The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as “The Only Band That Matters”, they also contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that emerged in the wake of punk and employed elements of a variety of genres including reggae, dub, funk, ska, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky “Topper” Headon.

Headon left the group in 1982 due to internal friction surrounding his increasing heroin addiction. Further internal friction led to Jones’ departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986. The Clash achieved critical and commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their self-titled debut album, The Clash (1977) and their second album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope (1978). Their experimental third album, London Calling, released in the UK in December 1979, earned them popularity in the United States when it was released there the following month. A decade later, Rolling Stone named it the best album of the 1980s. Following continued musical experimentation on their fourth album, Sandinista! (1980), the band reached new heights of success with the release of Combat Rock (1982), which spawned the US top 10 hit “Rock the Casbah“, helping the album to achieve a 2× Platinum certification there. A final album, Cut the Crap, was released in 1985 with a new line-up, and a few weeks later, the band broke up.

In January 2003, shortly after the death of Joe Strummer, the band—including original drummer Terry Chimes—were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Clash number 28 on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”.

Whilst I can appreciate the tune that is the featured track, to me, just shouty man a couple who just did something or other with guitars and man banging on pig skins.

Discography:

One of their first “hits:  The Clash – Tommy Gun (Live Something Else 1978)

The featured song is: The Clash performing “London Calling” (Live) – Fridays is one of the few tunes that I quite like in this genre.

The Clash / Joe Strummer – Bankrobber Live – I remember this, has a bit of Reggie sound, ruined of course by the idle singing of Strummer.  Always thought Bob Marley would make a good cover of this.

The Clash : Rock The Casbah (Live 1983).  Possibly their best apart from London Calling.  Still a load of old sausage though.

The Clash – This is England – (1985).  Good video, clips of the early 80’s, rubbish song thouh in my view.

The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go ( Live at US Festival 1983 ).  Toss up between this and London Calling.  Bit of an iconic tune with the title.  I must confess; I rather like this.

Singalong, enjoy and be happy!

Links to previous Legend articles:

1-Buddy Holly 2-Elvis Presley 3-Everly brothers 4-Cliff Richard 5-Joe Brown
6-Gerry and the Pacemakers 7-Roy Orbison 8-The Seekers 9-The Hollies 10-The Rolling Stones
11-Beach Boys 12-The Monkees 13-Rod Stewart 14-T-Rex 15-Slade
16-10CC 17-Pussycat 18-The Kinks 19-Blondie 20-Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music
21-David Bowie 22-Meatloaf 23-The Temptations 24-Dusty Springfield 25-Fleetwood Mac
26-Gilbert O’Sullivan 27-The Four Tops 28-Chas ‘n’ Dave 29-Diana Ross and The Supremes 30-Status Quo
31-Jim Reeves 32-The Small Faces 33-The Doobie Brothers 34-Manfred Mann 35-Creedence Clearwater Revival
36-Otis Redding 37-Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons 38-Squeeze 39-Duran Duran 40-Dire Straits
41-Chuck Berry 42-Thin Lizzy 43-ABBA 44-Carole King 45-Queen
46-Rod Stewart 47-Madness 48-Showaddywaddy 49-Pet Shop Boys 50-The Moody Blues
51-The Rat Pack 52-Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 53-Kevin (Bloody) Wilson 54-ZZ Top 55-Amy Macdonald
56-Eurythmics 57-Darts 58-Smokie 59-The Eagles 60-ELO
Leg Ends of Pop Music
1-The Prodigy 2-The Darkness 3-Lou Reed 4- Red Hot Chili Peppers 5-Bob Dylan
6-Led Zeppelin 7-AC/DC 8-The Stranglers 9-U2 10-The Clash

Featured image: “The Clash : Train In Vain” by Howdy, I’m H. Michael Karshis is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .
 

© Phil the ex test manager 2022