Died on this date:

Joe Strummer

Musician

Aug. 21, 1952-Dec. 22, 2002

(Age 50)

The Clash is often referred to as "The Only Band That Matters."  If that statement is true it was primarily due to the talents of Joe Strummer (born John Graham Mellor).  The Sex Pistols were a joke that gave birth to the British punk scene but The Clash was the real deal.  They exploded on the scene in London with politically tinged songs about police brutality, political oppression, and other radical causes that were near and dear to leftist hearts in the mid to late 70's.  Beyond the mindless leftism though, the music was rough, rowdy and exciting.  Good stuff.  Rolling Stone Magazine has them at #30 of the Top 100 bands of all time and they were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

Death from cardiac arrest arising from a previously undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

Here is my favorite song by The Clash.  "London Calling."