14 December 2015: Today marks Paul Simonon’s 60th birthday, so accordingly, we are listing some of the best artists who were inspired by The Clash.
The Clash were galvanic, inspiring, anarchic and prolific. Pioneering punk music by elevating rock and roll to new levels, The Clash introduced a new sound to the UK that was echoed in the US by the Ramones, proclaiming “No Elvis, Beatles or Rolling Stones in 1977”. Whilst the Sex Pistols may have overshadowed The Clash in notoriety, The Clash’s music make the Pistols seem like punk mascots in comparison.
Musically, The Clash were undoubtedly innovative. Drawing influences from blues, rock and reggae, The Clash formed their own sound, which in itself generated the bedrock of ska. As a result, their influences spread across artists from a wide range of genres.
The Clash’s evergreen legacy has also extended into pop culture. ‘London Calling’, “Rock The Casbah’ and ‘Police On My Back’ have seeped their way into soundtracks, whilst movies such as This Is England and Rock n Rolla have paid their own tributes.
To commemorate Paul Simonon, whose ‘Guns of Brixton’ bass line may just be one of the best bass lines ever written, we are taking a look at some of the best bands who were inspired by The Clash. Happy birthday Paul!