List of the Clash band members

Last updated

The Clash
Clash collage.jpg
The most well-known lineup of the Clash post breakup. Top: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones; Bottom: Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres Punk rock, post-punk
Years active1976–1986
Past members Joe Strummer
Paul Simonon
Mick Jones
Terry Chimes
Keith Levene
Rob Harper
Topper Headon
Pete Howard
Nick Sheppard
Vince White

The Clash were an English punk rock band formed in 1976 initially consisting of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, guitar), Mick Jones (lead vocals, lead guitar), Paul Simonon (bass guitar), Keith Levene (guitar) and Terry Chimes (drums and percussion). Levene was dismissed in September 1976 and went on to form Public Image Ltd. Terry Chimes performed intermittently as drummer for the first year of the band's existence, playing on the debut album. Topper Headon was recruited in May 1977 as the band's permanent drummer, forming the classic Clash line-up which would remain together until 1982.

Contents

Headon was dismissed in May 1982 due to drug addiction problems and Chimes returned in Headon's place. Headon had often acted as a mediating force between the two strong personalities in the band, Strummer and Jones, and in his absence the band began to disintegrate. In May 1983 Chimes left once more and was replaced by Pete Howard. In September 1983, Mick Jones was dismissed due to continued conflict and infighting. Vince White and Nick Sheppard were recruited by band manager Bernard Rhodes as guitarists to replace the departing Jones. The recording of their final album Cut the Crap was chaotic and there was little chemistry between the new group members and the remaining core of the band. Strummer left before it was completed, leaving the final mixes to Rhodes. After a short tour in support of the album in January 1985, the band went on hiatus, which became permanent when the band officially dissolved in 1986.

Band members

Classic line-up (May 1977 – May 1982)

ImagesNameTime activeMain instrumentsOccasional instrumentsRelease contributionsNotes
Joe strummer 1999.jpg Joe Strummer May 1976–1986 (died 2002)
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • piano
  • lead guitar
  • bass
  • harmonica
  • keyboards
all Clash releasesJoe Strummer was a member of the original band formed in 1976, and remained with the band until they broke up in 1986, he died in 2002.
Paul Simonon 2 cropped.jpg Paul Simonon May 1976–1986
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar
Paul Simonon was a member of the original band formed in 1976, and remained with the band until they broke up in 1986.
Mickjones.jpg
Mick Jones May 1976–September 1983
  • lead guitar
  • keyboards
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • harmonica
  • piano
  • bass
all Clash releases except Cut the Crap (1985)Mick Jones was a member of the original band formed in 1976. He was dismissed from the band in September 1983 after his working relationship with Strummer stopped functioning.
Topper Headon (Sept08) cropped.jpg Topper Headon May 1977–May 1982
  • drums
  • percussion
  • bass
  • piano
  • lead and backing vocals
Topper Headon joined the band after being a self-described "journeyman" drummer. He realised the potential of the band and remained with them for four albums and a B-side compilation. He was dismissed from the band when his heroin addiction affected his reliability.

Other members

ImageNameTime activeMain InstrumentsRelease contributionsNotes
Terry Chimes
  • May–November 1976
  • February–May 1977
  • May 1982 – May 1983
drums
Terry Chimes was an on-off member of the initial line-up of the band. He left and then was recruited to record the debut album. He was omitted from the photo of it, because at that time he left. He was recruited again in 1982 when Topper Headon left because of drug addiction. He left the band the following year when he couldn't deal with infighting.
Keith Levene Metal Box in Dub.jpg
Keith Levene May–September 1976 (died 2022)lead and rhythm guitarNoneKeith Levene was a member of the original band. In early September 1976, he was dismissed from the Clash. Strummer would claim that Levene's dwindling interest in the band owed to his supposedly abundant use of speed, a charge Levene has denied. [1] (Levene and John Lydon, of the Sex Pistols, would form Public Image Ltd. in 1978.) He died in 2022.
Rob Harper December 1976–January 1977drumsRob Harper drummed for a while during the December tour.
Pete Howard May 1983–1986 Cut the Crap (1985)Pete Howard was drumming for the band during the final twilight years.
Vince White 1983–1986rhythm and lead guitarSheppard and White joined the band after Mick Jones was dismissed.
DomNicks cropped.jpg Nick Sheppard
  • lead and rhythm guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals

Session members or groups

ImageNameTime activeMain InstrumentsRelease contributions
Blue Oyster Cult Lanier cropped.jpg
Allen Lanier 1978piano Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)
Stan Bronstein saxophone
BobinNOLA cropped.jpg Bob Andrews keyboards
Mick Gallagher Photo Ph.BRIZARD.jpg
Mickey Gallagher 1979–1980
  • organ
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
The Irish Horns
  • Ray Bevis – tenor saxophone
  • John Earle – tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Chris Gower – trombone
  • Dick Hanson –
    • trumpet
    • flugelhorn
1979horns London Calling (1979)
Tymon Dogg 1980–1982
  • vocals
  • violin
  • keyboards
  • piano
Norman Watt-Roy at Water Rats.jpg
Norman Watt-Roy
  • 1980
  • 1985
bass guitar
J.P. Nicholson1980 Sandinista! (1980)
Davey Payne at Water Rats.jpg Davey Payne saxophone
Gary Barnacle - Rochester Castle 2011..JPG
Gary Barnacle 1980–1982
Arthur Edward Barnacle1980trumpet Sandinista! (1980)
Rick Gascoignetrombone
Lew Lewis harmonica
Ellen Foley, 2014.JPG
Ellen Foley 1980–1982vocals
Mikey Dread 2003.jpg Mikey Dread 1980
Band Sgt. Dave Yates Sandinista! (1980)
Den Hegarty
Luke & Ben Gallagher
Maria Gallagher
Ivan Julian guitar
Noel "Tempo" Bailey
Anthony Nelson Steeliekeyboards
Style Scott drums
Jody Linscott percussion
Allen ginsberg 675.jpg Allen Ginsberg 1981–1982vocals Combat Rock (1982)
Futura 2k.jpg Futura 2000
Kosmo Vinyl
Joe Ely 2017.jpg
Joe Ely backing vocals
Tommy Mandel keyboards
Hermann Weindorf1985
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
Cut the Crap (1985)
Michael Fayne
  • drum machine
  • vocals

Timeline

List of the Clash band members

Line-ups

PeriodMembersReleases
May–September 1976None
September–November 1976
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
December 1976–January 1977
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Rob Harper – drums
February–May 1977
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
May 1977 – May 1982
(Classic lineup)
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Topper Headon – drums, percussion, vocals
May 1982 – May 1983
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
May 1983–September 1983
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Pete Howard – drums
none – live shows only
1983–1986

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clash</span> English punk rock band

The Clash were an English rock band that formed in London in 1976 and were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. The band were billed as "The Only Band That Matters"; they contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that followed punk. The Clash used 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Strummer</span> British musician (1952–2002)

John Graham Mellor, known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British musician. He was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and lead vocalist of punk rock band the Clash, formed in 1976. The Clash's second studio album, Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978), reached No. 2 on the UK charts. Soon after, they achieved success in the US, starting with London Calling (1979) and peaking with Combat Rock (1982), which reached No. 7 on the US charts and was certified 2× platinum there. The Clash's explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude greatly influenced rock music in general, especially alternative rock. Their music incorporated reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly.

Terence Chimes is an English musician, best known as the original drummer of punk rock group The Clash. He played with them from July 1976 to November 1976, January 1977 to April 1977, and again from May 1982 to February 1983 both preceding and succeeding his replacement Topper Headon. Chimes also drummed for Generation X from 1980 to 1981, Hanoi Rocks in 1985, and Black Sabbath from 1987 to 1988. In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Clash.

<i>The Clash</i> (album) 1977 studio album by The Clash

The Clash is the debut studio album by the English punk rock band the Clash, released on 8 April 1977 through CBS Records. Recorded and mixed over three weeks in February 1977 for £4,000, it would go on to reach No. 12 on the UK charts, and has been included on many retrospective rankings as one of the greatest punk albums of all time.

<i>Give Em Enough Rope</i> 1978 studio album by the Clash

Give 'Em Enough Rope is the second studio album by the English punk rock band the Clash, released on 10 November 1978 through CBS Records. It was their first album released in the United States, preceding the US version of the self-titled studio album. The album was well received by critics and fans, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom Albums Chart, and number 128 in the Billboard 200. The album is tied with Combat Rock (1982) for being the highest-charting album for the Clash in their native United Kingdom.

<i>Combat Rock</i> 1982 studio album by the Clash

Combat Rock is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash, released on 14 May 1982 through CBS Records. In the United Kingdom, the album charted at number 2, spending 23 weeks in the UK charts and peaked at number 7 in the United States, spending 61 weeks on the chart. The album was propelled by drummer Topper Headon's "Rock the Casbah" which became a staple on the newly launched MTV. Combat Rock continued the influence of funk and reggae like previous Clash albums, but also featured a more radio-friendly sound which alienated Clash fans. While the recording process went smoothly, the producing process of the album was tiring and full of infighting between Mick Jones and Joe Strummer. Headon's heroin addiction grew worse and he slowly became distant from the band while Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon reinstated Bernie Rhodes as manager, a move unwelcomed by Jones. The band had disagreed on the creative process of the album and called in Glyn Johns to produce the more radio-friendly sound of Combat Rock. Lyrically, Combat Rock focuses on the Vietnam War, postcolonialism, the decline of American society, and authoritarianism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Topper Headon</span> British drummer

Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon is an English drummer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer of punk rock band the Clash. Known for his contributions to the drumming world, Headon was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of The Clash in 2003.

<i>Cut the Crap</i> 1985 studio album by the Clash

Cut the Crap is the sixth and final studio album by the English punk band the Clash, released on 4 November 1985 by CBS Records. It was recorded in early 1985 at Weryton Studios, Munich, following a turbulent period: co-founder, lead guitarist and co-principal songwriter Mick Jones and drummer Topper Headon had been dismissed by lead vocalist Joe Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon. Jones and Headon were replaced by three unknowns: guitarists Vince White and Nick Sheppard and drummer Pete Howard. During the tense recording sessions, Clash manager Bernie Rhodes and Strummer fought each other for control over the band's songwriting and musical direction.

<i>From Here to Eternity: Live</i> 1999 live album by The Clash

From Here to Eternity: Live is a live album by English punk rock band The Clash, released on 4 October 1999 through Epic Records. The album's songs were selected from various Clash concerts recorded between 1977 and 1982. Some of the recordings featured also appear in the film Rude Boy (1980). "London's Burning", "What's My Name" and "I Fought the Law" were instrumentally overdubbed to repair some technical deficiencies of the original live recording.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock the Casbah</span> 1982 single by The Clash

"Rock the Casbah" is a song by the English punk rock band The Clash, released in 1982 as the second single from their fifth album, Combat Rock. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and, along with the track "Mustapha Dance", it also reached number eight on the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)</span> British musician and singer

Michael Geoffrey Jones is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer best known as the co-founder of the Clash, and as that group's guitarist until 1983. In 1984, he formed Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts. Jones has played with the band Carbon/Silicon along with Tony James since 2002 and was part of the Gorillaz live band for a world tour in 2010–2011. In late 2011, Jones collaborated with Pete Wylie and members of the Farm to form the Justice Tonight Band.

<i>The Clash: Westway to the World</i> 2000 British film

The Clash: Westway to the World is a 2000 documentary film about the British punk rock band The Clash. In 2003 it won the Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complete Control</span> 1977 single by The Clash

"Complete Control" is a song by The Clash, released as a 7" single and featured on the U.S. release of their debut album.

<i>Clash on Broadway</i> 1991 box set by The Clash

Clash on Broadway is a box set compilation album by the English punk rock band the Clash, released on Legacy Records in 1991. It comprises 64 tracks on three compact discs, spanning the time period from their 1977 debut single, "White Riot", through the Combat Rock album of 1982. It does not include material from the band's final sessions led by Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon, resulting in the final album Cut the Crap (1985). It was initially released in longbox form.

"I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." is a song by British punk rock band the Clash, featured on their critically acclaimed 1977 debut album, which was released in the United States in July 1979 as their second album after Give 'Em Enough Rope. It was the album's third track in the original version and second in the US version.

Capital Radio is a song and an extended play by the English punk rock band the Clash. The original song has been included as "Capital Radio" or "Capital Radio One" on the Capital Radio EP (1977), Black Market Clash (1980), The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (1988), Clash on Broadway (1991), From Here to Eternity: Live (1999), The Essential Clash (2003), and Singles Box (2006).

Peter Howard is an English rock drummer. He was a member of the Clash from 1983 until 1986.

<i>Live at Shea Stadium</i> 2008 live album by The Clash

Live at Shea Stadium is a live album by the English punk rock band The Clash. It was recorded at Shea Stadium in New York City on 13 October 1982, the band's second night opening for The Who; the concert was produced by Kosmo Vinyl. The album features Terry Chimes on drums instead of Topper Headon, who was fired for heroin abuse earlier in the year. The original recordings were unearthed by Clash frontman Joe Strummer while packing for a move. The album was released in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2008 and in the United States the following day.

The Clash were an English rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk rock. Along with punk rock, they experimented with reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, The Clash consisted of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, and Paul Simonon, with Terry Chimes or Nicky "Topper" Headon on drums and percussion. The band features in several documentaries and other films.

"Garageland" is a song by English punk rock band The Clash featured as the final track for their 1977 debut album The Clash.

References

  1. Robb (2006), pp. 215–216; Savage (1992), p. 220.

See also