If you have photographs from any of the gigs listed on this page, we'd love to see them, and feature them on theclash.com.
Email images to photos@theclash.com, and include details of which show they were taken at.
Please also state how you'd like the photo credit to be worded.
By e-mailing images to us, you're agreeing to them being published on theclash.com, with a photo credit. We don't claim any other rights in the photos, and will not reproduce them in any other location without agreement from the owner. Please only send us images for which you own or represent the copyright.
Loading
Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
Joe Strummer and The Clash
GB – Oct 6, 1989
Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
Joe Strummer and The Clash
GB – Aug 7, 1988
Unknown venue, Portsmouth
GB – Oct 22, 1985
Unknown venue, Athens
GR – Jul 27, 1985
Unknown venue, Roskilde
Roskilde Festival 1985
DK – Jun 28, 1985
City Centre, Manchester
GB – May 18, 1985
The Fixx, Glasgow
GB – May 17, 1985
The Wind Jammer Bar, Glasgow
GB – May 16, 1985
Coaster's, Edinburgh
GB – May 14, 1985
La Sorbonne, Edinburgh
GB – May 13, 1985
Drum Club, Sunderland
GB – May 11, 1985
The Bunker, Sunderland
GB – May 10, 1985
Ripon & St Johns College, York
GB – May 9, 1985
York Minster, York
GB – May 8, 1985
The Faversham, Leeds
GB – May 7, 1985
Royal Park Road Pub, Leeds
GB – May 6, 1985
Le Phonographic Nightclub, Leeds
GB – May 4, 1985
Garage Club, Nottingham
GB – May 3, 1985
O2 Academy Brixton, London
The Clash with Smiley Culture
GB – Dec 7, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Dec 6, 1984
Palasport, Genoa
IT – Sep 11, 1984
Unknown venue, Reggio Emilia
IT – Sep 8, 1984
Arena Palasport, Rome
IT – Sep 7, 1984
Unknown venue, Salerno
IT – Sep 6, 1984
Pacific National Exhibition Coliseum, Vancouver
CA – May 31, 1984
Paramount Theatre, Seattle
US – May 30, 1984
University Of Oregon, Salem
US – May 29, 1984
Exhibition Hall, Salt Lake City
US – May 27, 1984
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver
Joe Ely and The Clash
US – May 25, 1984
Omaha Music Hall, Omaha
US – May 23, 1984
Starlight Bowl, Kansas City
US – May 22, 1984
Kiel Auditorium, St Louis
US – May 21, 1984
Vickie Anne Palmer Hall, Rockford
US – May 20, 1984
The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
US – May 17, 1984
Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines
US – May 16, 1984
Mayo Civic Centre, Twin Cities
US – May 15, 1984
Mecca Auditorium, Milwaukee
US – May 14, 1984
Public Hall, Cleveland
US – May 11, 1984
Michigan State University, Grand Rapids
US – May 10, 1984
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus
US – May 9, 1984
Hara Arena, Dayton
US – May 8, 1984
Fox Theatre, Detroit
US – May 6, 1984
Fox Theatre, Detroit
The Clash with SLK
US – May 5, 1984
Physical Auditorium Complex, University Of Waterloo Campus, Waterloo
CA – May 4, 1984
Ottawa Civic Centre, Ottawa
The Clash with Wise Guys
CA – May 3, 1984
Montreal Forum, Montreal
CA – May 2, 1984
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto
CA – Apr 30, 1984
Unknown venue, Buffalo
US – Apr 28, 1984
Colgate University, Rochester
US – Apr 27, 1984
Stony Brook University Gym, Bridgeport
US – Apr 26, 1984
Agora, Springfield
US – Apr 25, 1984
War Memorial at the Oncenter Complex, Rochester
US – Apr 24, 1984
Wachovia Spectrum Center, Philadelphia
US – Apr 22, 1984
The Hopkins Center, Thompson Arena, Dartmouth College, Manchester
US – Apr 18, 1984
Civic Center, Providence
US – Apr 17, 1984
Rutgers University, Newark
US – Apr 16, 1984
St. Lawrence University, Canton
US – Apr 15, 1984
Hofstra University, New York
US – Apr 14, 1984
DCU Center, Worcester
US – Apr 13, 1984
Portland Exposition Building, Portland
US – Apr 12, 1984
Palace Theatre, Springfield
US – Apr 11, 1984
Smith Center, Washington
US – Apr 8, 1984
Carmichael Auditorium, University Of North Carolina, Durham
US – Apr 6, 1984
The Township, Columbia
US – Apr 5, 1984
Fox Theatre, Atlanta
US – Apr 3, 1984
Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale
US – Mar 31, 1984
Wdiz And Beach Club, Orlando
US – Mar 30, 1984
Alumni Memorial Gym At University Of Tennessee, Knoxville
US – Mar 28, 1984
Unknown venue, Nashville
US – Mar 27, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
The Clash with The Redskins
GB – Mar 17, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Mar 16, 1984
SFX Theatre, Dublin
IE – Mar 14, 1984
SFX Theatre, Dublin
IE – Mar 13, 1984
Ulster Hall, Belfast
The Clash with The Defects
GB – Mar 12, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
The Clash with Fab Five Freddie and Under Two Flags
GB – Mar 10, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Mar 9, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Mar 8, 1984
Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth
GB – Mar 6, 1984
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
GB – Mar 5, 1984
King Georges Hall, Blackburn
GB – Mar 4, 1984
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
GB – Mar 3, 1984
Espace Balard, Paris
FR – Mar 1, 1984
Palasesto, Milan
IT – Feb 28, 1984
Palasesto, Milan
IT – Feb 27, 1984
Festhalle, Bern
CH – Feb 25, 1984
Brielpoort, Deinze
BE – Feb 21, 1984
Philipshalle, Düsseldorf
DE – Feb 19, 1984
Isstadion, Stockholm
SE – Feb 17, 1984
Drammenshallen, Oslo
NO – Feb 16, 1984
Colston Hall, Bristol
GB – Feb 13, 1984
De Montfort Hall, Leicester
GB – Feb 12, 1984
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
The Clash with The Orson Family
GB – Feb 11, 1984
Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
The Clash with Under Two Flags
GB – Feb 10, 1984
Fox Theatre, San Diego
US – Feb 1, 1984
Warnors Theatre, Fresno
The Clash with The Opening Band Was Los Lobos.
US – Jan 28, 1984
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles
The Clash with Los Lobos and Malcolm Mclaren
US – Jan 27, 1984
Long Beach Arena, Los Angeles
US – Jan 24, 1984
Unknown venue, Stockton
US – Jan 22, 1984
Civic Auditorium, SF Bay Area
The Clash with Malcolm Mclaren and Los Lobos
US – Jan 21, 1984
Arlington Theatre, Los Angeles
US – Jan 19, 1984
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Jul 30, 1983
US Festival
The Clash’s last-ever gig featuring the three founding members from 1976 – Strummer, Jones and Simonon - took place on 28 May 1983 at the Us Festival, a huge outdoor event held at the Glen Helen Regional Park, Los Angeles. The festival was organised by the Apple computers guru Steve Wozniak, and The Clash headlined the ‘New Music’ night, playing to a vast crowd of 150,000 on a bill also featuring A Flock Of Seagulls, The Stray Cats and Men At Work. Before the show, the band had called an emergency press conference to explain they wouldn’t play unless the organisers made a $100,000 donation to a summer camp for disadvantaged children; this the organisers did, fearing the event would descend into chaos. The Clash eventually took the stage two hours later, and finished the evening fighting with a DJ whose onstage announcements after their last song was seen as an attempt to rob them of an encore. Three months later, Mick Jones left the group, effectively signalling its end.
Regional Park, Los Angeles
The US Festival 1983
US – May 28, 1983
Activity Center, Tucson
US – May 26, 1983
Majestic Theatre, San Antonio
US – May 22, 1983
Memorial Auditorium Wichita Falls Tx, Dallas - Fort Worth
The Clash with Charlie Sexton
US – May 19, 1983
Hell W10
The Clash famously starred in their own film, Rude Boy, but it’s less well known they were leading actors in another, too: Hell W10, a silent, homemade black-and-white film written and directed by Joe Strummer in early 1983. The plot involved Paul Simonon and Mick Jones as rival underworld gangsters, with Joe making a cameo appearance as a policeman. As its title suggests, it was shot in and around the W10 London postcode where the group lived, in Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill. For years the film was thought lost, but in 2002 it was discovered among bric-a-brac on a London market stall and made available on the Essential Clash DVD.
Unknown venue, Montego Bay
Jamaica World Music Festival 1982
JM – Nov 25, 1982
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
The Who with The Clash and T-Bone Burnett
US – Oct 29, 1982
Colisseum Arena, SF Bay Area
US – Oct 25, 1982
Oakland Stadium, SF Bay Area
The Who with The Clash and T-Bone Burnett
US – Oct 23, 1982
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento
US – Oct 22, 1982
Kingdom, Seattle
The Who with The Clash
US – Oct 20, 1982
Kent State University Memorial Gym, Akron
US – Oct 17, 1982
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
US – Oct 16, 1982
William and Mary Hall, Newport News
US – Oct 15, 1982
Shea Stadium, New York
The Who with The Clash
US – Oct 13, 1982
Shea Stadium, New York
The Who with The Clash
US – Oct 12, 1982
SMU, North Dartmouth
US – Oct 6, 1982
University of Vermont, Burlington
US – Oct 4, 1982
Houston Fieldhouse, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Springfield
US – Oct 3, 1982
State University Of New York, Rochester
US – Oct 2, 1982
Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit
The Who with The Clash and Eddie Money
US – Sep 30, 1982
Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, Orchard Park
The Who with The Clash
US – Sep 26, 1982
JFK Stadium, Philadelphia
The Who with The Clash
US – Sep 25, 1982
Shea Stadium
In autumn 1982, The Clash were invited by Pete Townshend to support The Who on the latter’s “farewell” tour of North American stadiums. In May, Topper had been fired, replaced by a virtually unknown British drummer called Pete Howard, who toured extensively with the band that summer. The Who’s New York shows took place in October at Shea Stadium, made famous as a rock venue by The Beatles in 1965. One record company employee recalled that backstage the usual Clash havoc ruled, with the band smuggling in dozens of fans they’d picked up on their tour bus along the way, and letting in ticketless fans hanging around outside the venue. The Clash’s performances were sensational, as shown on their 2008 Live At Shea Stadium album.
Orpheum Theatre, Boston / Cambridge
US – Sep 8, 1982
Orpheum Theatre, Boston / Cambridge
US – Sep 7, 1982
CNE Grandstand, Toronto
CA – Sep 5, 1982
Auditorium De Verdun, Montreal
CA – Sep 4, 1982
Pier 84, New York
The Clash with Kurtis Blow and Gregory Isaacs
US – Sep 2, 1982
Pier 84, New York
The Clash with Kurtis Blow and Gregory Isaacs
US – Sep 1, 1982
Pier 84, New York
The Clash with Kurtis Blow and Gregory Isaacs
US – Aug 31, 1982
West Hartford Agora Ballroom, Springfield
US – Aug 29, 1982
Civic Center, Providence
US – Aug 28, 1982
Penn Rink, Philadelphia
US – Aug 27, 1982
Penn Rink, Philadelphia
US – Aug 26, 1982
Cape Cod Colesium, Yarmouth
US – Aug 24, 1982
Cape Cod Coliseum, Hyannis, South Yarmouth
US – Aug 23, 1982
Cape Cod Coliseum, Hyannis, South Yarmouth
The Clash with Pulsallama
US – Aug 21, 1982
Cape Cod Coliseum, Hyannis, South Yarmouth
US – Aug 20, 1982
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
US – Aug 19, 1982
Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh
US – Aug 18, 1982
Akron Civic Theatre, Akron
US – Aug 17, 1982
Grand Circus, Detroit
US – Aug 16, 1982
Civic Center, Grand Rapids
US – Aug 14, 1982
The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
US – Aug 13, 1982
The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
US – Aug 12, 1982
Mayo Civic Centre, Twin Cities
US – Aug 11, 1982
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver
US – Aug 9, 1982
Locarno, Bristol
GB – Aug 3, 1982
Locarno, Bristol
GB – Aug 2, 1982
Brighton Centre, Brighton
GB – Jul 31, 1982
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Jul 30, 1982
Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth
GB – Jul 28, 1982
Arts Centre, Bournemouth
GB – Jul 27, 1982
The Refectory, Leeds University, Leeds
GB – Jul 26, 1982
Ice Rink, Inverness
The Clash with APB
GB – Jul 24, 1982
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
The Clash with So You Want to Be a Cowboy
GB – Jul 23, 1982
Leisure Centre, Glasgow
GB – Jul 22, 1982
De Montfort Hall, Leicester
GB – Jul 20, 1982
Assembly Rooms, Derby
GB – Jul 19, 1982
Bingley Hall, Birmingham
GB – Jul 18, 1982
St George's Concert Hall, Bradford
GB – Jul 17, 1982
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – Jul 15, 1982
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – Jul 14, 1982
Victoria Hall, Stoke On Trent
GB – Jul 13, 1982
Hospital Sports Stadium, Milton Keynes
GB – Jul 12, 1982
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Jul 11, 1982
O2 Academy Brixton, London
GB – Jul 10, 1982
Kinsmen Fieldhouse, Edmonton
The Clash with Harold Nix
CA – Jun 29, 1982
Max Bell Arena, Calgary
CA – Jun 28, 1982
Kerrisdale Arena, Vancouver
CA – Jun 26, 1982
Civic Auditorium, SF Bay Area
US – Jun 23, 1982
Civic Auditorium, SF Bay Area
US – Jun 22, 1982
Santa Barbara Bowl, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 20, 1982
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 19, 1982
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 18, 1982
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 17, 1982
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 15, 1982
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 14, 1982
Mesa Community Center, Mesa
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 13, 1982
Golden Hall, San Diego
The Clash with The English Beat
US – Jun 12, 1982
Civic Auditorium, SF Bay Area
US – Jun 10, 1982
Austin City Coliseum, Austin
US – Jun 9, 1982
Austin City Coliseum, Austin
The Clash and Stevie Ray Vaughan
US – Jun 8, 1982
Bronco Bowl, Dallas - Fort Worth
US – Jun 6, 1982
Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston
US – Jun 5, 1982
The Warehouse, New Orleans
US – Jun 4, 1982
Fox Theatre, Atlanta
US – Jun 2, 1982
Asbury Park Convention Hall, New York
US – May 31, 1982
Asbury Park Convention Hall, New York
US – May 30, 1982
Asbury Park Convention Hall, New York
US – May 29, 1982
Tuscon Activity Center, Tucson
US – May 26, 1982
El Paso Civic Center Theatre, El Paso
The Clash with The Little Charlie Sexton and The Eager Beaver Boys
US – May 25, 1982
Unknown venue, Omaha
US – May 23, 1982
Majestic Theatre, San Antonio
US – May 22, 1982
Unknown venue, Lochem
NL – May 20, 1982
Dallas Convention Center, Dallas - Fort Worth
US – May 19, 1982
Amarillo Civic Center, Amarillo
US – May 18, 1982
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – May 5, 1982
Down and out in Paris
In April 1982, on the eve of a UK tour to promote Combat Rock, Joe Strummer went missing. With the UK tour yet to sell out, manager Bernard Rhodes asked Joe to go AWOL as a publicity stunt to drum up ticket sales; instead, Strummer vanished entirely, secretly holing up in Paris where he grew a beard and ran the Paris Marathon incognito. With the UK tour cancelled and dates in the US looming, the band’s chief aide Kosmo Vinyl was tasked with tracking down the singer and persuading him to come back to London. Eventually, he found him in a bar, hailing the bearded Strummer with words, “Fidel!”
Thamasat University, Bangkok
TH – Feb 27, 1982
Unknown venue, Perth
AU – Feb 24, 1982
Festival Hall, Melbourne
AU – Feb 23, 1982
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
AU – Feb 22, 1982
Cloudland Ballroom, Brisbane
AU – Feb 20, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 18, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 17, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 16, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 14, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 13, 1982
Capitol Theatre, Sydney
AU – Feb 12, 1982
Town Hall, Christchurch
NZ – Feb 8, 1982
Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland
NZ – Feb 6, 1982
Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland
NZ – Feb 5, 1982
Osaka Festival Hall, Osaka
JP – Feb 2, 1982
Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo
JP – Feb 1, 1982
Koseinenkin Hall, Tokyo
JP – Jan 30, 1982
Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo
JP – Jan 29, 1982
Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo
JP – Jan 28, 1982
Sun Plaza Hall, Tokyo
JP – Jan 27, 1982
Osaka Festival Hall, Osaka
JP – Jan 25, 1982
Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo
JP – Jan 24, 1982
Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit
The Rolling Stones with Santana, Iggy Pop, and The Clash
US – Dec 1, 1981
The Clash meet the Beats
Back in New York in November 1981 to work on their next album, Combat Rock, The Clash hung out with the city’s art, film and music glitterati, including Andy Warhol, Robert De Niro and John Belushi, all of whom were big fans. At Strummer’s behest, the legendary Beat poet and Howl-author Allen Ginsberg also turned up at the studio with his friend Peter Orloffsky and contributed a spoken-word section to the track Ghetto Defendant, a song about heroin undermining political organisation in the ghetto. Ginsberg had researched the US punk scene and included references to “slam dance” and “the worm”.
Radio Clash becomes the first Brit hip hop record
During The Clash’s residency at Bond’s International Casino the group’s enthusiasm for rap, hip-hop, graffiti art and New York street culture in general reached fever pitch. Their first recording session after Bond’s, in London later that summer, saw them create This Is Radio Clash, a song conceived as a kind of pirate radio broadcast with a backing track drawing on a funk beat, synthesizers and Chic-style guitar, over which Strummer rapped a lyric referencing topical political issues in the US. The song, released as a single in November 1981, would gain the distinction of being the first ever British hip-hop record, coming on the heels of The Magnificent Seven’s pioneering use of rap the previous year.
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with Havana Let's Go
GB – Oct 26, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
GB – Oct 25, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
GB – Oct 22, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with Theatre of Hate
GB – Oct 21, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
GB – Oct 20, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with The Meteors
GB – Oct 19, 1981
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with Stimulin
GB – Oct 18, 1981
Colisseum, Saint Austell
GB – Oct 15, 1981
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
GB – Oct 12, 1981
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
The Clash with Theatre of Hate
GB – Oct 8, 1981
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
The Clash with Theatre of Hate
GB – Oct 7, 1981
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
GB – Oct 6, 1981
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
The Clash with Theatre of Hate
GB – Oct 5, 1981
Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
AT – Oct 2, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 30, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 29, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 28, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 26, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 25, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 24, 1981
Theatre Mogador, Paris
FR – Sep 23, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with Dead Kennedys, Hi-school Band, and The Brattles
US – Jun 13, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 12, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 11, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 10, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with The Fall
US – Jun 9, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 8, 1981
First we take Manhattan
With Sandinista! making at impact in the US, it was decided that, rather than undertaking another long American tour, The Clash would play a week of dates in June and July 1981 in New York, at Bond’s International Casino in Times Square, following later in the year with similar week-long residencies in Paris and London. In typical Clash fashion, their arrival in New York triggered mayhem. After the first show, Bond’s was closed down by the Building Department as a fire hazard, in a move reportedly involving murky inter-club politics. This incited frustrated Clash fans to riot in Times Square the following day, the biggest public disorder in Times Square since Frank Sinatra fans ran wild in the 1940s. After negotiations, the capacity of the venue was reduced and the band had to stretch their residency to two weeks, with specially chosen support acts the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash showcasing hip-hop to a largely white rock audience for the first time.
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with The Brattles and Funkopolitin
US – Jun 6, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 5, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with The Bloods Opened and the Bush Tetras.
US – Jun 4, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with The Treacherous Three
US – Jun 3, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with Bad Brains and The Slits
US – Jun 2, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – Jun 1, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – May 31, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
US – May 29, 1981
Bonds Times Square, New York
The Clash with Sirens, Grandmaster Flash, and The furious five
US – May 28, 1981
The Bullring, Milan
IT – May 26, 1981
Stadio Comunale, Florence
IT – May 23, 1981
Unknown venue, San Remo
IT – May 22, 1981
Velodromo Vigorelli, Milan
IT – May 21, 1981
Circus Krone, Munich
DE – May 19, 1981
Eissporthalle, Berlin
DE – May 18, 1981
Eissporthalle, Berlin
DE – May 17, 1981
Isstadion, Stockholm
SE – May 16, 1981
Scandinavium, Gothenburg
SE – May 15, 1981
Idrottshuset, Copenhagen
DK – May 14, 1981
Musikhalle, Hamburg
DE – May 12, 1981
Forest National, Brussels
The Clash with The Belle Stars, Vic Goddard, and Subway Sect
BE – May 11, 1981
Japp Edenhall, Amsterdam
The Clash with The Belle Stars
NL – May 10, 1981
Palais Saint Sauveur, Lille
The Clash with The Belle Stars
FR – May 9, 1981
Hippodrome De Pantin, Paris
FR – May 8, 1981
Unknown venue, Zürich
CH – May 7, 1981
Palais De Beaulieu, Lausanne
CH – May 6, 1981
Palais Des Sports, Lyon
FR – May 5, 1981
Unknown venue, Bordeaux
FR – May 4, 1981
Velodromo Anoeta, San Sebastián
ES – May 2, 1981
Unknown venue, Lisbon
PT – May 1, 1981
Unknown venue, Cascais
PT – Apr 30, 1981
Real Madrid Basketball Stadium, Madrid
ES – Apr 28, 1981
Unknown venue, Barcelona
ES – Apr 27, 1981
Triple agents
Such was The Clash’s creative drive and energy that, just nine months after the double-album London Calling had been released, the band had already amassed enough material in 1980 to put out a triple LP. Tracks had been recorded in Jamaica, New York and London, and took in styles as diverse as rap, rockabilly, dub, jazz and Tamla-Motown. When their record company, CBS, was informed that they wanted to release six sides of vinyl they were horrified; but The Clash dug their heels in, and a deal was eventually struck whereby the record would appear as The Clash desired it but they would forgo royalties from the first 200,000 copies sold in the UK. The title Sandinista! was inspired by the name for the left-wing rebel group in Nicaragua, appeared in December 1980 and has now become recognised as one of their great artistic statements.
Celluloid heroes
In 1980, The Clash starred in their own film, Rude Boy, following the life of a fictitious roadie, played by a fan called Ray Gange. The movie had little in common with the wacky cinematic adventures of ‘60s pop groups like The Beatles and The Monkees; instead, it showed the chaos and violence surrounding The Clash’s gigs in the punk era, with exhilarating virile footage of them performing live, hanging around on tour and arriving at court to answer charges for an incident involving Headon and Simonon shooting racing pigeons with an air rifle. The film director, David Mingay, also weaved in a gritty subplot about a young black youth in London falling foul of racist police attitudes.
Laugardalshollin, Reykjavík
IS – Jun 21, 1980
Victoria Hall, Stoke On Trent
GB – Jun 18, 1980
Hammersmith Palais, London
The Clash with Spartacus, Holi and the Italians, and Whirlwind
GB – Jun 17, 1980
Hammersmith Palais, London
The Clash with Spartacus, Holli and the Italians, and Whirlwind
GB – Jun 16, 1980
Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – Jun 12, 1980
Colston Hall, Bristol
GB – Jun 11, 1980
Colston Hall, Bristol
GB – Jun 10, 1980
Assembly Rooms, Derby
The Clash with ANTI PASTI
GB – Jun 9, 1980
Parco Ruffini, Turin
IT – Jun 3, 1980
Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
IT – Jun 1, 1980
Escape from Dodge City
The Clash flew to Kingston, Jamaica in 1980, to record at Channel One studios with reggae artist Mikey Dread – who’d been supporting them on tour - at the controls. At the time, tensions were at their height in JA and political killings widespread. The studio was in a ghetto area, and group and producer encountered demands for money from locals unused to white groups recording there. After several days, Dread deemed it too risky to stay, and The Clash – then still “on strike” from their record company, living off Paul Simonon’s girlfriend’s credit card, packed up and left, with great recordings of Junco Partner in the bag.
Theatre de Verdure, Nice
FR – May 30, 1980
Palais D'Hiver, Lyon
FR – May 29, 1980
Hall Tivoli, Strasbourg
FR – May 28, 1980
Palais Des Sports, Paris
FR – May 27, 1980
Unknown venue, Cambrai
FR – May 26, 1980
Scandinavium, Gothenburg
SE – May 24, 1980
Eriksdalshallen, Stockholm
SE – May 23, 1980
Olypen, Lund
SE – May 22, 1980
Château Neuf, Oslo
NO – May 21, 1980
Markthalle, Hamburg
DE – May 20, 1980
Markthalle, Hamburg
DE – May 19, 1980
Philipshalle, Düsseldorf
DE – May 18, 1980
Wartburg, Wiesbaden
DE – May 16, 1980
Oberlaa, Vienna
AT – May 15, 1980
Schwabinger Brau, Munich
DE – May 14, 1980
Huxley's Neue Welt, Berlin
DE – May 13, 1980
Markthalle, Hamburg
DE – May 12, 1980
The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles
US – Apr 27, 1980
Pioneering rap attack
In April 1980, The Clash booked into a New York studio without any new songs to record. But inspired by the city’s exciting new rap scene, headed by the Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash, the group set about creating the funky Magnificent Seven – which became the first ever rap record made by a British act. When it was released a year later, Mick Jones’ remix of the track, The Magnificent Dance, became a big hit on the black radio station WBLS in New York, and a subsequently huge influence on dance music.
Motor City Roller Rink, Detroit
The Clash with Mikey Dread and Lee Dorsey
US – Mar 10, 1980
Orpheum Theatre, Boston / Cambridge
US – Mar 9, 1980
Capitol Theatre, Newark
US – Mar 8, 1980
The Palladium, New York
US – Mar 7, 1980
Tower Theatre, Philadelphia
US – Mar 6, 1980
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles
US – Mar 4, 1980
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles
US – Mar 3, 1980
The Warfield, SF Bay Area
US – Mar 2, 1980
The Warfield, SF Bay Area
US – Mar 1, 1980
Mile End Liberty Theatre, London
GB – Feb 23, 1980
Liberty Theatre, Balham
GB – Feb 22, 1980
Lewisham Odeon, London
The Clash with Joe Ely and Mikey Dread
GB – Feb 18, 1980
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with Joe Ely and The Vincent Units
GB – Feb 17, 1980
Electric Ballroom, London
The Clash with Joe Ely and The Vincent Units
GB – Feb 16, 1980
Electric Ballroom, London
The Clash with Joe Ely and The Vincent Units
GB – Feb 15, 1980
Top Rank, Southampton
The Clash and Joe Ely with Mikey Dread
GB – Feb 13, 1980
Stateside, Bournemouth
The Clash with Mikey Dread and Joe Ely
GB – Feb 12, 1980
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
The Clash with The Xcerts
GB – Feb 11, 1980
Wessex Hall, Bournemouth
GB – Feb 10, 1980
Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth
GB – Feb 9, 1980
Tiffany's, Coventry
GB – Feb 7, 1980
Top Rank, Birmingham
GB – Feb 6, 1980
Top Rank, Birmingham
GB – Feb 5, 1980
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
GB – Feb 4, 1980
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
GB – Feb 3, 1980
Victoria Hall, Stoke On Trent
GB – Feb 1, 1980
The Refectory, Leeds University, Leeds
GB – Jan 31, 1980
Royal Spa, Hull
The Clash with The Akrylics
GB – Jan 30, 1980
St George's Concert Hall, Bradford
GB – Jan 29, 1980
Top Rank, Sheffield
GB – Jan 27, 1980
Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry
The Clash with Mikey Dread and The Jiving Daleks
GB – Jan 26, 1980
King Georges Hall, Blackburn
The Clash with Not Sensibles
GB – Jan 25, 1980
Tiffany's, Blackpool
GB – Jan 24, 1980
University, Blackpool
GB – Jan 23, 1980
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
The Clash with Limit, One Takes, and Mickey Dredd
GB – Jan 22, 1980
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
GB – Jan 21, 1980
Odeon Theatre, Edinburgh
GB – Jan 20, 1980
Odeon Theatre, Edinburgh
GB – Jan 19, 1980
Caird Hall, Dundee
GB – Jan 18, 1980
De Montfort Hall, Leicester
GB – Jan 16, 1980
Gaumont Theatre, Ipswich
GB – Jan 14, 1980
The Pavilion, Brighton
GB – Jan 12, 1980
Crawley Leisure Centre, Brighton
The Clash with Escalators and Prince Hammer
GB – Jan 11, 1980
Top Rank, Brighton
The Clash with Gillinski Brothers, Prince Hammer, and Creation Rebels
GB – Jan 9, 1980
Top Rank, Brighton
The Clash with Gillinski Brothers, Prince Hammer, and Creation Rebels
GB – Jan 8, 1980
The Odeon, Southend On Sea
The Clash with Tradition
GB – Jan 6, 1980
Aylesbury Civic Centre (Friars), Milton Keynes
The Clash with Ian Dury and The Vice Creems
GB – Jan 5, 1980
The Clash on strike…
In 1980, while on tour in the UK with reggae artist Mikey Dread, The Clash recorded Bankrobber, a track with a heavy Jamaican vibe that they wanted to release straight away as a single. Their record label, however, thought it sounded “like David Bowie backwards”, and wanted instead to issue another song taken from London Calling. The group elected to follow the example of British miners and power workers and go on strike in protest; thus nothing by them was released in Britain until August 1980 – when Dutch import copies of Bankrobber were selling so well that CBS final relented and put the record out. It reached Number 12, becoming their second biggest hit to that date.
HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London
Ian Dury & The Blockheads and The Clash with Mutumbi
GB – Dec 27, 1979
The greatest-ever rock photograph
The cover of The Clash’s London Calling album, released in 1979, featured a photograph of Paul Simonon smashing up his bass guitar onstage at the New York Palladium. The shot was taken by Pennie Smith, whose portraits of the group have also appeared on the cover of the Clash LP Sandinista! (1980) and Combat Rock (1982). It has been voted by Q magazine and others as the greatest rock photograph ever taken. The pink and green lettering on London Calling’s sleeve, meanwhile, was homage to Elvis Presley’s first LP.
Pacific National Exhibition Coliseum, Vancouver
CA – Oct 16, 1979
Paramount Northwest, Seattle
US – Oct 15, 1979
Kezar Pavilion, SF Bay Area
The Clash and The Cramps
US – Oct 13, 1979
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles
The Clash and Joe Ely
US – Oct 11, 1979
Unknown venue, San Diego
US – Oct 10, 1979
Rocks Club, Lubbock
Joe Ely and The Clash
US – Oct 7, 1979
The Palladium Ballroom, Dallas - Fort Worth
The Clash and Joe Ely
US – Oct 6, 1979
Cullen Auditorium, Houston
Joe Ely and The Clash
US – Oct 5, 1979
Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin
Joe Ely and The Clash
US – Oct 4, 1979
Agora Ballroom, Atlanta
US – Oct 2, 1979
Ritchie Colisseum, Washington
US – Sep 29, 1979
Clark University, Worcester
US – Sep 28, 1979
O'Keefe Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
CA – Sep 26, 1979
Théatre St-Denis, Montreal
The Clash with The 'b' Girls and The Undertones
CA – Sep 25, 1979
The Palladium, New York
US – Sep 21, 1979
The Palladium, New York
US – Sep 20, 1979
Orpheum Theatre, Boston / Cambridge
US – Sep 19, 1979
Unknown venue, Cleveland
US – Sep 18, 1979
Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit
The Clash with The Undertones and David Johansen
US – Sep 17, 1979
The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
US – Sep 14, 1979
Civic Centre, Twin Cities
US – Sep 12, 1979
Unknown venue, Turku
Ruisrock 1979
FI – Aug 4, 1979
Rainbow Theatre, London
The Clash with Aswad, The Members, Enchanters, and 1 more…
GB – Jul 14, 1979
Notre Dame Hall, London
GB – Jul 6, 1979
Notre Dame Hall, London
The Clash with Mo-Dettes
GB – Jul 5, 1979
Peppermint Lounge, New York
US – Jun 21, 1979
Rex Danforth Theatre, Toronto
CA – Feb 20, 1979
The Palladium, New York
US – Feb 17, 1979
Harvard Square Theatre, Boston / Cambridge
US – Feb 16, 1979
Ontario Theatre, Washington
The Clash with Bo Diddley and D-ceats
US – Feb 15, 1979
Agora Theatre & Ballroom, Cleveland
US – Feb 13, 1979
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles
The Clash with Bo Diddley
US – Feb 9, 1979
Temple, SF Bay Area
US – Feb 8, 1979
Coming To America…
The band toured the US for the first time in February 1979, taking along as support Bo Diddley, one of the greatest pioneers of American rhythm & blues and a Clash hero. By then, their first album had reportedly sold 100,000 copies on import. The six-shows were billed as the ‘Pearl Harbour’ tour, and the group pulled no punches by opening their sets with the song I’m So Bored With The USA. The American audiences fell in love with them - and The Clash fell in love with America.
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver
CA – Jan 31, 1979
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash and The Slits
GB – Jan 3, 1979
Lyceum Theatre, London
GB – Dec 29, 1978
Lyceum Theatre, London
The Clash with The Slits and Innocents
GB – Dec 28, 1978
Pier Pavilion, Brighton
GB – Dec 21, 1978
The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
GB – Dec 20, 1978
Music Machine, London
The Clash with The Slits, Phil Rambow and Friends., and Innocents
GB – Dec 19, 1978
Tiffany's, Purley
The Clash with The Slits
GB – Dec 18, 1978
Locarno, Portsmouth
GB – Dec 17, 1978
Bath Pavilion, Bath
GB – Dec 12, 1978
Liverpool University Guild of Students (Mountford Hall & Stanley Theatre), Liverpool
GB – Dec 6, 1978
Polytechnic, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – Dec 2, 1978
Wirrina Stadium, Peterborough
The Clash with The Slits
GB – Nov 30, 1978
Victoria Hall, Stoke On Trent
GB – Nov 29, 1978
Tiffany's, Coventry
GB – Nov 28, 1978
Top Rank, Cardiff
GB – Nov 26, 1978
Kings Hall, Derby
The Clash with Innocents and The Slits
GB – Nov 24, 1978
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
GB – Nov 23, 1978
Village Bowl, Bournemouth
The Clash with The Slits
GB – Nov 22, 1978
Locarno, Bristol
The Clash with Innocents and The Slits
GB – Nov 21, 1978
De Montfort Hall, Leicester
The Clash with Innocents and The Slits
GB – Nov 20, 1978
Top Rank, Sheffield
The Clash with Innocents and The Slits
GB – Nov 19, 1978
The Refectory, Leeds University, Leeds
The Clash with Innocents and The Slits
GB – Nov 18, 1978
Town Hall, Middlesbrough
GB – Nov 17, 1978
Odeon Theatre, Edinburgh
GB – Nov 16, 1978
Belle Vue, Manchester
GB – Nov 15, 1978
Roxy Theatre, Harlesden, London
GB – Oct 26, 1978
Roxy Theatre, Harlesden
GB – Oct 25, 1978
Paradiso, Amsterdam
The Clash and Dire Straits
NL – Oct 23, 1978
Ancienne Belgique, Brussels
BE – Oct 22, 1978
Stokvishal, Arnhem
NL – Oct 20, 1978
Le Stadium, Paris
FR – Oct 16, 1978
Top Hat, Dun Laoghaire
The Clash with Berlin
IE – Oct 14, 1978
University SU, Queens Hall, Belfast
GB – Oct 13, 1978
Music Machine, London
The Clash with Suicide, The Specials, and Innocents
GB – Jul 27, 1978
Music Machine, London
The Clash with Suicide and The Specials
GB – Jul 26, 1978
Music Machine, London
The Clash with Suicide, Burning Cane, The Specials, and 1 more…
GB – Jul 25, 1978
Music Machine, London
The Clash with Suicide and The Specials
GB – Jul 24, 1978
Eric's, Liverpool
The Clash with The Specials
GB – Jul 22, 1978
The Corn Exchange| Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
The Clash with Suicide and The Specials
GB – Jul 14, 1978
King Georges Hall, Blackburn
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 13, 1978
Top Rank, Birmingham
The Clash with Suicide, Coventry Automatics, and Spizz 77
GB – Jul 12, 1978
Top Rank, Cardiff
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 11, 1978
Town Hall, Exeter
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 10, 1978
Locarno, Bristol
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 9, 1978
Sports Centre, Brighton
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 8, 1978
Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 7, 1978
Kinema Ballroom, Edinburgh
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 6, 1978
Music Hall, Aberdeen
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 5, 1978
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 4, 1978
Rafters, Manchester
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 3, 1978
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
The Clash with Suicide
GB – Jul 2, 1978
Granby Halls, Leicester
The Clash with Suicide and The Coventry Specials
GB – Jul 1, 1978
Top Rank, Sheffield
GB – Jun 30, 1978
Queens Hall, Leeds
GB – Jun 29, 1978
Aylesbury Civic Centre (Friars), Milton Keynes
GB – Jun 28, 1978
Victoria Park, London
Rock Against Racism 1978: Tom Robinson Band and The Clash with X-ray Spex, Steel Pulse, and 1 more…
GB – Apr 30, 1978
The Clash spread their anti-racist message
In the late 1970s the East End of London was a breeding ground for far-right organisations targeting immigrant communities in what has historically been a poor part of the capital. In March 1978, The Clash took their anti-racist message into the heart of the area when they performed at an Anti-Nazi League rally at Victoria Park in Hackney, with Tom Robinson, X-Ray Spex and reggae band Steel Pulse also on the bill. Around 70,000 people attended the free gathering, and the band’s explosive performance was filmed for The Clash film Rude Boy.
Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry
GB – Jan 26, 1978
Queensway Hall, Luton
GB – Jan 25, 1978
Barbarella's, Birmingham
GB – Jan 24, 1978
McMordie Hall, Queens University Students Union, Belfast
GB – Dec 20, 1977
McMordie Hall, Queens University Students Union, Belfast
GB – Dec 19, 1977
Rainbow Theatre, London
The Clash with Sham 69, Drunk 'n' Disorderly, and Lous
GB – Dec 15, 1977
Rainbow Theatre, London
The Clash with Drunk 'n' Disorderly, Sham 69, and Lous
GB – Dec 14, 1977
Rainbow Theatre, London
The Clash with The Zones, Sham 69 Rat Scabies, and Sham 69
GB – Dec 13, 1977
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
GB – Dec 11, 1977
Belle Vue, Manchester
The Clash with Siouxsie & The Banshees
GB – Nov 15, 1977
Top Rank, Southampton
GB – Nov 13, 1977
Pier Pavilion, Brighton
The Clash with Richard Hell & The Voidoids and Lous
GB – Nov 12, 1977
Corn Exchange Cambridge, Cambridge
GB – Nov 11, 1977
Exhibition Centre, Bristol
GB – Nov 10, 1977
Winter Gardens, Bournemouth
The Clash with Richard Hell & The Voidoids and Lous
GB – Nov 9, 1977
Tiffany's, Coventry
GB – Nov 8, 1977
Top Rank, Birmingham
GB – Nov 7, 1977
Market Hall, Carlisle
GB – Nov 6, 1977
Exhibition Centre, Bristol
The Clash with Richard Hell & The Voidoids
GB – Nov 5, 1977
Cardiff University, Cardiff
GB – Nov 4, 1977
Kings Hall, Derby
GB – Nov 3, 1977
Bradford University, Bradford
GB – Nov 2, 1977
Top Rank, Sheffield
The Clash with Richard Hell & The Voidoids and Lous
GB – Nov 1, 1977
Welcome to Jamaica…
While it would later become fashionable for groups to record in the idyllic Caribbean island of Nassau, in November 1977 Joe Strummer and Mick Jones flew to volatile Jamaica to find inspiration for songs for a second album. The home of ska and reggae was an extremely dangerous place, riven by political violence, and Joe and Mick spent most of the time in their hotel room. The song Safe European Home on 1978’s Give ‘Em Enough Rope album told the story of the trip.
Victoria Hall, Stoke On Trent
GB – Oct 30, 1977
Manchester Apollo, Manchester
The Clash with Louis
GB – Oct 29, 1977
Polytechnic, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – Oct 28, 1977
The Refectory, Leeds University, Leeds
GB – Oct 27, 1977
Clouds, Edinburgh
GB – Oct 26, 1977
The Glasgow Apollo, Glasgow
GB – Oct 25, 1977
Kinema Ballroom, Edinburgh
The Clash with The Skids, Richard Hell & The Voidoids, and Lous
GB – Oct 24, 1977
Eric's, Liverpool
The Clash with The Toilets
GB – Oct 22, 1977
Trinity College, Dublin
The Clash with The Count Bishops
IE – Oct 21, 1977
Unknown venue, Ronneby
SE – Oct 8, 1977
Dads, Malmö
SE – Oct 7, 1977
Winterhuder Fährhaus, Hamburg
DE – Oct 6, 1977
Volksbildungsheim, Frankfurt
DE – Oct 5, 1977
Unknown venue, Munich
DE – Oct 4, 1977
Porrhaus, Vienna
AT – Oct 2, 1977
Kaufleuten, Zürich
The Clash and The Damned
CH – Oct 1, 1977
Salle Des Fetes De Tinqueux, Reims
FR – Sep 30, 1977
Le Bataclan, Paris
FR – Sep 29, 1977
Paradiso, Amsterdam
The Clash and Siouxsie & The Banshees
NL – Sep 26, 1977
Birmingham Rag Market, Birmingham
The Clash with The Saints, Cherry Vanilla, The Slits, and 5 more…
GB – Jul 17, 1977
Gröna Lund Tivoli, Stockholm
SE – Jun 14, 1977
California Ballroom, Luton
GB – May 30, 1977
Chancellor Hall, Chelmsford
GB – May 29, 1977
De Montfort Hall, Leicester
The Clash with Buzzcocks, The Slits, and Subway Sect
GB – May 28, 1977
West Runton Pavilion, West Runton
GB – May 27, 1977
Colston Hall, Bristol
GB – May 26, 1977
Sussex University, Brighton
GB – May 25, 1977
Top Rank, Cardiff
GB – May 24, 1977
Top Of The World, Wolverhampton
GB – May 23, 1977
City Hall, St. Albans
The Clash with Buzzcocks and The Slits
GB – May 21, 1977
Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne
GB – May 20, 1977
Rock Garden, Middlesbrough
GB – May 19, 1977
Leeds Polytechnic, Leeds
GB – May 17, 1977
Swansea University, Swansea
GB – May 16, 1977
Fiesta Suite, Plymouth
GB – May 15, 1977
Brakke Grond, Amsterdam
NL – May 14, 1977
De Montfort University, Leicester
GB – May 13, 1977
Palais, Nottingham
GB – May 12, 1977
Stourbridge Town Hall, Dudley
GB – May 10, 1977
Rainbow Theatre, London
The Clash with The Jam, Buzzcocks, Subway Sect, and 1 more…
GB – May 9, 1977
Electric Circus, Manchester
GB – May 8, 1977
University, Aberdeen
GB – May 6, 1977
Eric's, Liverpool
GB – May 5, 1977
The Affair, Swindon
GB – May 4, 1977
Barbarella's, Birmingham
GB – May 3, 1977
Rascal's Club, Liverpool
GB – May 2, 1977
Guilford Civic Hall, Guilford
GB – May 1, 1977
Le Chartreux Cinema, Rouen
FR – Apr 26, 1977
Roundhouse, London
John Cale with The Clash, Subway Sect, and The Boys
GB – Apr 10, 1977
The Clash take punk to the nation
To coincide with the release of their self-titled debut album, the group set off on the White Riot tour, giving many UK town and cities their first taste of punk rock and The Clash’s own brand of mayhem. Joe Strummer and Topper Headon were charged with stealing items from a hotel in Newcastle, while at the Rainbow Theatre in north London the audience rioted, smashing up around 200 seats and throwing debris on the stage.
The reggae connection
When The Clash were recording their debut album in February 1977, they were asked to come up with an extra track to increase the overall running time. As big reggae fans, their answer was to cover Police & Thieves, a contemporary club hit by Jamaican singer Junior Murvin. The Clash gave the song their own edgy rock makeover, a move that kick-started punk’s lasting connection with militant black music, and opened up the band’s music to a strong reggae influence.
Colisseum, Harlesden
GB – Mar 11, 1977
Roxy, Covent Garden, London
The Clash with Rob Harper
GB – Jan 1, 1977
Woods Centre, Plymouth
Sex Pistols and The Clash
GB – Dec 22, 1976
Woods Centre, Plymouth
Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Damned
GB – Dec 21, 1976
Winter Gardens, Hull
Sex Pistols and The Clash
GB – Dec 20, 1976
Electric Circus, Manchester
Sex Pistols and The Clash
GB – Dec 19, 1976
Cinema, Caerphilly
GB – Dec 14, 1976
Electric Circus, Manchester
Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, The Clash, and Heartbreakers
GB – Dec 9, 1976
Leeds Polytechnic, Leeds
Sex Pistols, The Damned, and The Clash with Johnny Thunders And The Heartbreakers
GB – Dec 6, 1976
Punks versus Teddy Boys
London in the late 1970s was teeming with youth factions - punks, skinheads, Mods, Teddy Boys, rockers - whose tribal rivalries erupted into violence on the streets and at gigs. The Clash were involved in the first major showdown between punks and Teds in October 1976 when they supported rockabilly singer Shakin’ Stevens (later a chart hitmaker with Green Door) at the University of London Union. The Clash fought with Teds and had to barricade themselves in their dressing room after the gig, with Mick Jones ending up with a cut nose in the fracas.
Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry
GB – Nov 29, 1976
Nags Head, Reading
GB – Nov 18, 1976
Lacy Lady, London
GB – Nov 11, 1976
Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry
GB – Nov 6, 1976
Royal College Of Art, London
GB – Nov 5, 1976
Town Hall, London
GB – Oct 29, 1976
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London
The Clash with Subway Sect
GB – Oct 28, 1976
Barbarella's, Birmingham
GB – Oct 27, 1976
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London
GB – Oct 23, 1976
University of London Union (ULU), London
Shakin' Stevens with The Clash
GB – Oct 16, 1976
Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, Leighton Buzzard
The Clash with Leyton Buzzard and Rockets
GB – Oct 9, 1976
100 Club, London
Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Siouxsie & The Banshees
GB – Sep 20, 1976
Roundhouse, London
Keith Levene and The Clash
GB – Sep 5, 1976
I wanna riot!
On 31 August 1976 band members Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon, then living in squats nearby, joined the rioting in Notting Hill, West London, when hundreds of black youths fought with police after a long summer of simmering tensions fuelled by overtly racist policing. The events of that day inspired the group to write the song White Riot, which helped to define the group’s radical and provocative political agenda, and in March 1977 became their debut single.
100 Club, London
Sex Pistols with The Clash
GB – Aug 31, 1976
Screen On The Green, London
GB – Aug 29, 1976
Black Swan, Sheffield
Sex Pistols, Keith Levene, and The Clash
GB – Jul 4, 1976
London Calling - Mick
Live in Oslo