Joe Strummer (1952-2002) was born John Mellor in Ankara, Turkey, the son of a British diplomat stationed there. One of the key figures on the UK punk scene in the mid-70s, he was a guitarist with, and founder member of The Clash, also writing many of their songs. Until they split in the 1980s, the Clash produced a catalogue of punk classics, including "Career Opportunities" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go?", distilling the depression, anger and energy of 1970s Britain. He died at the age of 50 on 23rd December 2002, at his home in Somerset from a heart attack.
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