N ov. 15, 2002, former Clash front-man Joe Strummer was set to play a small show at London's Action Town Hall. 2002 thus far had been a rewarding year for Strummer, and this concert would be one of the closing dates for the successful \Bringing It All Home"" tour with his current band, the Mescaleros.
For the first time in his solo career, it seemed as if Strummer were beginning to step out of the shadow cast by his career with the Clash. With the Mescaleros, Strummer had released two enjoyable albums, 1999's Rock Art and X-Ray Style, a solid collection of mature songs, and 2001's Global A-Go-Go, Strummer's attempt at fusing rock and world music with subtle electronica undertones.
This particular show was a benefit for British firefighters on strike, and continued Strummer's tradition of playing concerts supporting causes in which he believed. The band played a well-received set spanning Strummer's entire career before beginning their encore with a version of the Clash's Bank Robber. Much to the surprise of the audience, and Strummer himself, the Mescaleros were unexpectedly joined on stage by former Clash guitarist and singer Mick Jones, who had been in the audience that night. Judging by the grin on his face and his enthusiastic guitar work, Jones was excited to be back on stage again.
Clearly, the audience understood the magnitude of what they were witnessing. With the Clash, Strummer and Jones had established themselves as a militant Lennon-McCarthy songwriting team for the next generation. Their importance extends well beyond just punk rock, as they were also among the first musicians outside of Jamaica to popularize reggae.
In fact, after working with the Clash, legendary dub producer Lee Perry was so impressed that he spread word of them to Bob Marley, who penned the song ""Punky Reggae Party"" about them. Ultimately though, beginnings in punk and excursions in reggae will only be a footnote in the Clash's career, as they'll mostly be remembered for perfecting rock music with the release of their flawless London Calling album.
Now, at this small, unsuspecting benefit concert, Strummer and Jones were on stage playing together for the first time in nearly 20 years, ripping through lively versions of ""London's Burning,"" and the State Street Halloween anthem ""White Riot."" After the show, the grinning duo palled around like old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, an indication that any post-Clash resentment between the two was long over.
Earlier in 2002, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that the Clash were to be inducted, and the Town Action Hall show only furthered speculation that the Clash would reunite for the event.
In the interviews following the concert, a youthful-looking Strummer acknowledged that he did want the Clash to perform at the induction ceremony, but said in the meantime that he was excited just to get into the studio with the Mescaleros and record the songs they had just perfected on the road. Fans eagerly waited for what they anticipated to be Strummer's best work yet, while Strummer spent early December penning a song for the Nelson Mandela AIDS awareness charity benefit.
Then, on Dec. 22, Joe Strummer suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. Various forms of media publications eulogized him with photos of the Clash circa 1979 and reflected on the Clash's importance. In doing so, however, they sent the message that Strummer's best years were behind him. Fans knew otherwise; at age 50 he was a man more active than ever, a man who still remained dedicated to both music and humanitarian causes, and a man whose best years still lied in front of him. From his youthful beginnings until his premature death, Joe Strummer set the standard.
