Joe Strummer

Credits: Far Out / Alamy

Full Name

John Graham Mellor

Born

August 21st, 1952

Height

5ft 10in

Hometown

London, England

Net Worth

Estimated $4 million

Partner

Lucinda Tait

Family

Joe Strummer was born to Ronald Mellor, a British diplomat, and Anna Mackenzie Mellor in Ankara, Turkey. Because of his father's diplomatic career, he spent much of his childhood living in countries including Egypt, Mexico and Germany before attending boarding school in England. Strummer married Lucinda Tait in 1995 and remained with her until his death. He had two daughters from an earlier relationship.

Years Active

1970–2002

Bands

The Vultures, The 101ers, The Clash, Latino Rockabilly War, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

Top Tracks

'London Calling', 'Should I Stay or Should I Go', 'White Riot', 'Rock the Casbah', 'Clampdown'

Top Albums

'London Calling', 'The Clash', 'Combat Rock', 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', 'Streetcore'

Records Sold

More than 25 million

Number Ones

'Should I Stay or Should I Go'

Fun Facts

Joe Strummer adopted his stage surname because of his habit of strumming rhythm guitar rather than playing intricate lead parts. ### Before forming The Clash, he was the lead singer of the pub rock band The 101ers, leaving the group after seeing the Sex Pistols perform in 1976. ### Strummer's final album, 'Streetcore', was released posthumously in 2003 following his death from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

Related Artists

Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Billy Bragg, Shane MacGowan

Joe Strummer was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and musician best known as the co-founder, frontman and principal lyricist of The Clash.

One of the defining figures of the original British punk movement, Strummer combined the urgency of punk with influences from reggae, ska, dub, rockabilly, folk and world music, helping broaden the genre’s musical and political horizons. Through landmark albums such as ‘London Calling’ and ‘Combat Rock’, he established himself as an uncompromising songwriter whose lyrics tackled social inequality, politics and cultural identity.

Following The Clash’s dissolution, Strummer pursued a varied solo career and later formed Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. His enduring influence has made him one of the most respected and inspirational figures in rock music.