Joe Strummer

Today would have been Joe Strummer's 54th birthday. Instead it is a sad reminder of a talent taken too soon (Strummer died in 2002 at age 50).

For many people my age The Clash were the seminal band of their youth. To me Strummer was always a guy who just "got it." He was a guy who didn't seem to put on airs and who seemed to understand the way things really are. This included the War on Terror. From a November 2001 interview:

I think you have to grow up and realise that we're facing religious fanatics who would kill everyone in the world who doesn't do what they say.

I may just put London Calling on endless loop today in tribute.