Joe Strummer: A Tribute To The Only Frontman That Matters

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

August 21st, 2020 9:10 AM

If The Clash were “The Only Band That Matters,” then by that logic, Joe Strummer was “The Only Frontman That Matters.”

The late Strummer would’ve turned 68 today (August 21), and his voice and insight are incredibly missed.  The fact that he left this world a mere month before The Clash were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame makes his loss all the more heartbreaking.

But today, we do not mourn; we honor. By far, one of the best tributes to Strummer came at the 2003 GRAMMYs when Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steven Van Zandt, Pete Thomas and Tony Kanal joined forces for an all-star jam of “London Calling.”  As far as GRAMMY tributes go, it’s certainly one of the best.

In fact, it’s the only one that matters.

GALLERY: A Look at 1979’s Best Rock Albums

• The Clash – ‘London Calling’

  Share

  One of punk’s most iconic albums, ‘London Calling’ remains one of the best albums of all time thanks to the power of the classic title track, “The Guns of Brixton” and “Death of Glory.”

• AC/DC – ‘Highway to Hell’

  Share

  AC/DC would finally breakthrough in the United States in a big way thanks to ‘Highway to Hell,’ and it serves an epic farewell to the late Bon Scott.

• Pink Floyd – ‘The Wall’

  Share

  Certified 23-times Platinum by the RIAA, Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ has remained one of the greatest rock operas of all time and seems to only get better and more poignant with age.
• Van Halen – ‘Van Halen II’

  Share

  Van Halen’s second studio album was recorded in one week and gave fans “Dance the Night Away,” “Beautiful Girls” and the underrated cover “You’re No Good.”

• Fleetwood Mac – ‘Tusk’

  Share

  ‘Tusk’ had the unreal task of following ‘Rumours,’ which is still one of the highest-selling albums of all time. While it wasn’t super well-received upon its release, ‘Tusk’ has become respected over time.

• Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – ‘Damn The Torpedos’

  Share

  The first album from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers to crack the top 10 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, ‘Damn The Torpedos’ yielded three of the band’s biggest songs: “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Refugee” and “Here Comes My Girl.”
• The Police – ‘Reggatta de Blanc’

  Share

  ‘Reggatta de Blanc’ gave The Police their first number one album in their native U.K. and foreshadowed their pop-rock excellence.

• Neil Young & Crazy Horse – ‘Rust Never Sleeps’

  Share

  Recorded live, ‘Rust Never Sleeps’ was overdubbed in a studio and remains one of Young’s most beloved albums in his catalog.

• Led Zeppelin – ‘In Through the Out Door’

  Share

  The final studio from Led Zeppelin, ‘In Through the Out Door’ served as a moving farewell from one of the biggest bands in music history.
• The Eagles – ‘The Long Run’

  Share

  ‘The Long Run’ would serve as The Eagles’ final studio album for nearly three decades and gave fans classics like the title track and “Heartache Tonight.”

Get The WDHA Setlist Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

The latest Rock news, intel on local events and concerts, plus exclusive contests, games, and more delivered right to your inbox.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music

Tags:

Joe Strummer,The Clash