Today would have marked Joe Strummer's 63rd birthday. The Clash frontman and punk pioneer is widely revered in the music community as an innovator and friend to the progression of the artform. As a homage to Joe Strummer and all he did for the, not only punk, but music world, here are 11 gritty and fascinating facts about The Clash.

Mick Jones' Nan, Stella, would allow the early Clash to write and practice in her flat as well as frequent most of their early shows. The band's debut album was written almost exclusively in her Harrow Road apartment.

'Train in Vain' may be one of London Calling's best songs but it wasn't originally on the track list. The band planned to give the track away with copies of the NME but it turned out that idea was far too expensive for an up and coming punk band, this explains why 'Train' isn't detailed on the album's sleeve.

In May 1977, the day after a blistering show in Newcastle, frontman Strummer and Nicky 'Topper' Headon were both arrested outside the hotel they were staying in for stealing pillowcases, the most dishonourable of crimes.

The Blockheads (with Ian Dury in tow) once unexpectedly turned up to a Clash recording session dressed up as policeman as a joke. Apparently Strummer and Co. didn't see it that way as Mick Jones flushed all his 'medicine' down the toilet and the rest of the band fled the studio.

Gobbing was a practice in the punk community which involved spitting at the stage, at one another and pretty much everything you can reach to celebrate the whimsy of being a rebellious youth. The Clash weren't such big fans of this and even less when a well-aimed saliva-mortar hit Strummer in the mouth and caused him to contract hepatitis.

Believe it or not, the audition process existed before The X Factor. In fact, The Clash's Nick Headon had to prove himself against the other 203 drummers that the other members auditioned before giving the part to him.

For the parents of the 70s and 80s, punk was a vile and distracting practice for the narrow-minded. Beat-poet and undeniable genius Allen Ginsberg thought quite the opposite even featuring on The Clash's 'Ghetto Defendant' off of their Combat Rock record.

The Clash broke up officially in 1986 however Strummer was back on the road the following year as a temporary member of The Pogues. Phil Chevron was in treatment with a stomach ulcer so the Irish group recruited frequent tour partner Strummer to fill in.

Knowing how to market your album isn't in the punk handbook apparently. Despite London Calling being a double album and Sandinista! having 36 tracks, the band retailed the albums at the standard £5.99 price for an LP. This landed them in mass debt to CBS and resulted in the troubadours not breaking even with royalties until 1982.

Owned by the famed reggae producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Black Ark studio has hosted many legends who, in turn, receive a painted mural on the walls of the building. The Clash were the first and last white band to be painted on the walls. Additionally, when Perry heard The Clash's debut while in London in '77, he played it to Bob Marley who, in turn, was inspired to write 'Punky Reggae Party'.

The Clash debuted on July 4, 1976 at The Black Swan in Sheffield. They were supporting none other than The Sex Pistols, what a legendary show to have attended.