1980: THE CLASH on tour | Nationwide | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive

Nationwide reporter Duncan Gibbins joins The Clash - Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, 'Topper' Headon and Paul Simonon - on the Scottish leg of their 16 Tons Tour.
The band are saddled with debt, but remain determined to keep ticket and album prices as low as possible for their fans. Can their punk ideology survive the financial realities of the music industry?
Please be warned that this interview is from 1980 and contains themes and language that are of the time and may cause offence.
Originally broadcast 18 February, 1980.
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[@tryfryingmikejones]

can you imagine your favorite lad joe strummer is the one holding the window open for you and your mates to climb through so you get see them live?! It would be the best night of your life on paper.

[@martin-1965]

I was working with a band at the Cambridge Folk Festival many years back, a few months before Joe died, and I was walking backstage and saw him coming the other way. I was a grown man and was starstruck but thought, oh gawd, I've gotta say something. As Joe walked past, I just said "Hey Joe" and he turned and smiled and said "Hiya mate". I then gushed about how his music changed my life and shook his hand and thanked him for being, well, Joe Strummer. He was so gracious, thanked me for my comments and support and made me feel totally at ease and nothing like the daft fan I felt inside. A true gentleman, a legend, a maverick and a hero forever.

[@DukesMusic84]

The Clash were always a band of the people. They always made sure kids got in to see them and kept record prices down. Their shows were legendary.

[@rabfallon4507]

you're thinking of Crass

[@turnmeondeadman4221]

Ben Shapiro would despise them

[@deadlegification]

Whilst Wah were telling The Story of The Blues,Joe was faking his own disappearance due to poor ticket sales & strutting around Shea Stadium in a Davy Crockett hat.Two years later whilst Holly Johnson was tearing up The Sun newspaper live on TOTP,The Clash as per usual were nowhere to be seen.

[@theanalogkid3763]

@@turnmeondeadman4221 You really gotta politicize everything huh?

[@turnmeondeadman4221]

@@theanalogkid3763 yea like he does . Sorry I despise

[@JMarinelli]

I love how they drop the tough guy pose literally six seconds into the clip, and start being their loveable goofball selves immediately.

[@jordanreynolds1498]

"Rock and roll gypsies, constantly on the move, frightened to stop" - Now that could be a lyric taken straight from a Clash song

[@c10_c10]

This is truly a gem. Thank you BBC.

[@bookaufman9643]

I went to high school in the 1980s in a suburb of Houston Texas and I was one of three punk rockers in a school of 4,000 people. The Clash and the Damned were my two favorite bands and the whole English punk rock scene was my scene. The Clash used to be referred to as the only band that mattered and though that wasn't the case they were one of very few. Joe Strummer is an all-time icon and it's so shitty that he died so young. There's a documentary about him that didn't come out till just after he died and in that documentary you see him touring with the Mescaleros and going from town to town trying to visit radio DJs to get people to show up. Some of the DJs had no idea who Joe Strummer was but other ones were shocked that this Hall of Fame musician was in their puny studio trying to get the people of the area excited enough to spend seven or eight bucks to see his band play. In this documentary they talk about the Clash and their perilous financial situation which was only made worse by their refusal to overcharge for tickets or records. Thank goodness that they had such a big hit with Rock the casbah or they might have been forced to get on the doll in England. Even then I don't think anybody in the band became anywhere near wealthy. Joe Strummer died flat broke but completely true to his beliefs.

[@qwj68boots]

And to think, he came from a middle class background, better off than most. Compelling character to say the least.

[@empirebaypeteify]

The Clash! The best band ever. I saw them a few times. Not long after I moved to Australia there was a rumour they'd reform, so I saved for a plane ticket back to the UK.

[@pjofurey6239]

Used to see joe strummer at loads of other gigs, always had time for everyone, lovely geezer gone too early .

[@phrtao]

Looking at this footage it seems so long ago. Listening to London Calling it seems like yesterday.

[@Ccccccccccsssssssssss]

It’s timeless

[@mummyd1990]

London calling is deffo in my top 5 albums,sandanista would be in that top 5 also.

[@nasdkhan254]

I remember seeing this as a kid , which was a very big deal because I was too young to see them & they did very little tv .

[@synysterjazmyngates]

Joe listening to MLK on his stereo, something about that just really impresses me, what a guy he must’ve been.

[@p0llenp0ny]

Yeah? Seems pretentious as hell to me.

[@qwj68boots]

@@p0llenp0ny can't please everyone.

[@mht525]

The Clash. Never about the cash all about the music. London Calling a double album released in a Sinlge album sleeve!! CBS only wanted a album. So the Clash gave them 2 Albums in one Sleeve. That's Punk ✌️🤘☠️🏴😎🇦🇺

[@dluap569161]

Seeing this is what got me into the Clash as a kid. At the time, I had never seen or heard anyone cooler.

[@dowdallerno1]

Great band, great people. 👏✊

[@ricjuk]

99% sure the posh guy is Peter Jenner (original Pink Floyd manager).

[@BBCArchive]

Just checked the metadata - you're correct!

[@scottblack9213]

Correct

[@dpphillips7497]

Old school posh, but a real 100% Gentleman.

[@mywhychromosome]

Are you talking about the bloke seated behind the desk,, just after about 5 minutes into the video, talking about "spiritual independence" from record companies?? 'Cos I've been trying to figure that out since I first saw the clip, lol

[@telebob5983]

Great catch!

[@stefano720420]

They was really GREAT and they will stay in my heart forever! Thanks Joe, Mick, Paul, Topper… P.s. 4:02 … unbelieveable today

[@onlyme219]

It's the song 'complete control' for me, listen to it everyday walking to work

[@vincen4465]

Had the privilege of meeting Joe a couple of times. What a guy!

[@davidbshorr]

Thanks so much for posting this!

[@OlafProt]

It’s the fact that bands back then were started for (1) fun (2) to play. Now it’s all Career Opportunities. 💥 I miss Strummer.

[@mickjonesteeth]

watching videos of them isn't enough, i need to eat them

[@isabellasligh6539]

this is the best comment i've ever read

[@lactosemilkk]

hi mickjonesteeth its alex

[@mickjonesteeth]

@@isabellasligh6539 thank you❣️❣️

[@mickjonesteeth]

@@lactosemilkk Hello . Alex .

[@PIRTERDIFLSH]

I remember when this was first broadcast. I'm pretty sure they had just recorded Bank robber whilst commencing the 16 tons tour. It was one of the only bands that really mattered at the time! RIP Joe...Love ya man👍

[@granttalibard6193]

I was lucky enough to see The Clash ( only the once ) on The 16 Tons Tour at The Electric Ballroom in Camden , London with Mikey Dread , a wonderful memory .

[@Stranglerxx77]

I remember seeing this on tv and saw them a few times great live but they totally lost it after combat rock Sandinista was okay looking back

[@PIRTERDIFLSH]

@@Stranglerxx77 For sure! After Topper and Jonesy were ousted and then the release of the 85 album. Remove the "Cut the" from the title and that pretty much summed it up!

[@paulsmith382]

Classic clash dublin in early 80s out of control tour powerful band

[@annroderickdumaine6358]

I LOVE THE CLASH ! I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BUT THIER MUSIC IS ICONIC AND WILL ALWAYS BE RECOGNIZED GREAT GUYS GREAT BAND GREAT MUSIC 🎶

[@livingintheforest3963]

I grew up listening to the Clash at about 17 and was punk rock in Los Angeles in the early 80s. It’s so weird looking back at this I’m sure others feel the same to be honest life was so easy down even people complaining in the punk community about this and that it’s just a joke life was just candy! On another foot note most people in the music industry producer of music now don’t even go through all those producers that they had to deal with including the porn industry they produce their own stuff too interesting how it was.

[@End-Result]

They weren’t a punk band

[@felineth56]

Love the Clash!

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello from Aotearoa new zealand. THE CLASH are my FAVOURITE BAND EVER my almost 16 year old son is called Strummer Clash Palace Joe Strummer is as close as it gets to a hero for me IT SUCKS ASS BIG TIME THAT HE'S NOT HERE SHEARING THE WORLD IN THE FLESH WITH US 😭

[@tomallen5837]

Where is the rest of this documentary? It's pretty good. I particularly like the coverage of the band debating being able to sustain gigging and balancing that to their sustainability, profits and otherwise record deals. I was unaware that they were particularly keen on this concept, but I guess all bands were, but of course The Clash saying this is a different story. They were always so unique, and that's why we loved them. Anyway, is there more to this documentary, and can anyone tell me where I might find it?

[@drssexy2142]

It wasnt a documentary, it's just a news report on a weekday news programme called Nationwide which was broadcast on BBC1 at 6pm.

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

Extra points if you know the dub classic at 3.20

[@unitedmad9580]

What’s the name of that song? Would love to know. Thanks

[@ONLYLOVEIZATION]

Honey and Lemon awwww

[@delanodegenie6970]

It does work! 😂

[@southwestkinema9149]

Duncan Gibbins went on to direct at few notable music videos in the early 80's and a couple of Hollywood movies died at 41.

[@almightygeck4121]

So cool

[@BadLuckLuke]

Long live THE CLASH !!!

[@davedogge2280]

2:46 Hotel Receptionist "We have the punk, rocker, trashed proof suite available just for the night ..."

[@auralepiphanies4055]

I first got wind of the clash in 81/82? when their video for should i stay or should i go came on. I had heard the song but visually Joe had just got a mohawk and came prouncing out on stage and that was it. I was hooked!

[@plasteredbastard]

Such immediacy, no band before or since has provoked thought and movement all at once. Could easily be said no band is as important over the last 45 years.

[@hiddenfaceofeve]

AGGGHH i love them sm

[@michaelwilson2340]

Anyone saying The Clash were overated, consider this: Two decades after his death Joe Strummer is remembered and cherished by many. After you (and myself) are long dead who's going to really care or remember. Other than a scant few.

[@blackmore4]

Then again, in a century or a couple of centuries time, I doubt any 20th century artists are going to be remembered outside of the Beatles, Elvis and maybe Dylan.

[@michaelwilson2340]

@@blackmore4 There's enough recorded music to last the test of time. It's not like the future of humanity will be looking at crude cave drawings of the 20th and 21st centuries.

[@mrsuperger5429]

This is heartbreaking. I saw The Clash on this very same tour.

[@colinwilliams553]

I love and respect JOE STRUMMER even more after at 0:47,is listening to audio tapes of Martin Luther King Jr's maybe for inspiration? Who knows.R.I.P Joe,the world is DEFINITELY not the same without you.

[@charlesantunes1886]

The clash. Pour toujours les précurseurs d un nouveau rock. Ma jeunesse

[@AP-gb3eh]

Remember them wondering why we weren’t on our feet in Boston ,because the Don Laws bouncers would hurt us. Joe reminded us we outnumbered them and to fight back ,we sang I fought Don Law and we won and chased the fakers out. Loved Joe and always will

[@evaluacionmonitoreo3484]

Tremenda banda. Inolvidable. Inoxidable.

[@MrUndersolo]

Strummer walking on the streets with a boombox playing an MLK speech? How do you not love the guy? #JoeStrummerLives!

[@RatelHBadger]

No pretension, no irony, all respect for a great man and great ideals. Now, people would do it, "because it's punk".

[@mjh5437]

Totally pretentious,he was a poseur and a fake.

[@RYx222]

@@mjh5437 clueless

[@maxasaurus3008]

How refreshing to hear musicians say that.

[@antstead2329]

Remember watching this back in the day. Bands like the Clash and the PIstols were like aliens from another world to young northern townies like me at the back end of the 70's early 80's. Still at least they were still going unlike the Pistols.

[@shamsoni]

Pure poetry real punk

[@johnmc3862]

Look tough lads!

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

The Only Band That MATTERS

[@blackmore4]

The Pistols, Damned, Buzzcocks and Ramones mattered a hell of a lot more to me.

[@qwj68boots]

@@blackmore4 Viva The Damned!

[@paulhank7967]

Saw them in 79. King's Hall Derby I think. Can't remember exact venue.

[@coops1964]

The best band ever.

[@oliverp4115]

Only band that mattered.

[@miloduenas743]

Amazing

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

This is chilling

[@stuartwray6175]

Foggy Edinburgh in February

[@hoisin75]

The real deal

[@genogeno6643]

Cosmo Vinyl 2:52

[@roufoushornero8648]

Anybody know who the guy with the glasses is that's talking about keeping the band in line with their spending? I don't recognize him from The Clash's circles.

[@realityrealestate5755]

Yes, that's Johnny Green their road manager!

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Might be Peter Jenner- I think the Clash were with his Blackhill Enterprises management at the time. Around this time he also managed Ian Dury. Previously he managed Pink Floyd

[@JiminyCricket8899]

​@@matthewcoombs3282 Certainly looks like Peter

[@James-hd6ez]

Also simple minds were leagues ahead of u2 between 1979 and 1982.

[@qwj68boots]

don't forget Sparkle in the Rain! That and New Gold Dream were their Greatest Albums.

[@mwmingram]

❤💙💚💛💜

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Peter Jenner!

[@djdrwatson]

I started to watch this but I'm not sure if I should watch it all. Should I stay or should I go? 😂😂😂

[@violetsky5202]

Stay!

[@bobertkallahan4392]

The coolest cats on the planet.

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

“I’ll buy you a caddy if you don’t break the Top 20”…

[@drssexy2142]

top 10

[@MartinJones-lc4vk]

Joe Strummer always seemed to believe in what he was saying

[@Stranglerxx77]

I remember seeing them a few times and were great live but totally lost it after combat cock Sandinista was okay looking back

[@ShilohBoca]

What's Joe listening to in 3:20 ?

[@drssexy2142]

UB40

[@ShilohBoca]

@@drssexy2142 thank you!!!!

[@dielel9268]

Rebels ✅

[@mummyd1990]

Joe trying to look like a rocker/teddy boy so he did not get beaten up,love the clash Rip Joe very,very much missed.

[@woody5831]

Wasn't why he looked like that at all 🤣 they all changed their look to this American style in 1979 for London Calling album

[@mesolithicman164]

This was my favourite Clash look. I miss those guys.

[@JMarinelli]

Nah - they copped the rocker/greaser aesthetic in the late ‘70s.

[@Alsatiagent-zu1rx]

The cut the Scots lad saying "not gone on TOTPs like those sellouts The Jam". I loved The Jam but it was funny.

[@ECCENTRICERIC69]

It was a bit of a stupid counter productive move in the end but I can understand why they did it.. Of course, Joe did appear on Top of the Pops many years later in 1996 with Black Grape performing "England's Irie"

[@shuddupeyaface]

The Wombles had more authenticity and gravitas.

[@shuddupeyaface]

Public schoolboy. If your American, look up what that means in England.

[@garywareham2256]

Think your pretty smart don't you

[@RYx222]

@@shuddupeyaface Apublib school boy who gave up a life of luxury to squat in London, more authentic than any thing you'll ever do

[@markscreen5509]

@@RYx222 A fake

[@RYx222]

@@markscreen5509 more real than most of the other "punks" in the scene

[@blackmore4]

I think they were very good and made some great records but I was never a big fan. It was all a bit too boyish and shouty for me. Speaking of which, amongst the fans shown and interviewed here and the shots of the front row at the concert, we don't see one girl. Also, Strummer's fakery regarding who he actually was (an upper middle class ex-private schoolboy son of a diplomat) was beyond ridiculous in a music revolution so anti-hypocrisy and concerned with reality. I saw interviews with other upper-middle class types who he'd been in bands and shared flats with saying that the moment he joined the Clash, he cut them dead.

[@qwj68boots]

I like them BUT I'm glad you mentioned the Reality of the situation. Too many people, especially here on yt, wax poetic about the myth and or 'legend' without revealing the Truth. Strummer was obviously a complex guy. But so was MLK, and so many others.

[@wespaul9345]

Bernard Rhodes had a good entrepreneurial bent.

[@flashingarrows]

Are those fans speaking English?? LOL!

[@philipgolden8121]

From Edinburgh mate

[@MozzaChick]

💙💙💙💙💙my pretties

[@keithprice1950]

I was born in 1976 and whenever I look back at this time period (late 70s to early 80s) everybody looks unwashed.

[@mesolithicman164]

No one could afford soap

[@jonathansteadman7935]

It was the diet and most people had a wash in the morning and a bath once a week. Showers were still a new thing for the working class.

[@WillfulSoul143]

Can’t live on payouts.

[@hermanthetosser4219]

What is missing is a band like the clash right now to sing for the forgotten white people working class white kids

[@livingintheforest3963]

That’s for sure we are all being replaced.

[@turnmeondeadman4221]

@@livingintheforest3963 the clash wouldn’t care about being “replace “ . Racist 🤡

[@deanstanley5799]

When people spoke there minds unlike the woke mob of today!

[@TheJohnRowley]

The clash were ‘woke’

[@joehodgson2815]

The Clash would be pilloried today by Daily Mail swivels like you as being the epitome of "woke"!

[@JulieWallis1963]

*their*

[@Liam-lw9hq]

You’re literally making stuff up to be annoyed about. So stupid.

[@LEESTAR23]

Anybody who uses the word ‘woke’ is an idiot. FACT

[@jaymailloux976]

Dr. King was on the right

[@stuartwray6175]

....side of history

[@jaymailloux976]

@@stuartwray6175 clever

[@turnmeondeadman4221]

Read his quotes .

[@jazzhands7771]

They really were awful.

[@jamesdavies5266]

Really why even mick?!

[@Custardpoint948]

Overrated band, bit like U2

[@jayrox40]

The Jam were much better.

[@collinrust2641]

You’re overrated

[@stuartharrison165]

@@jayrox40 Yeah the Jam kept growing .

[@James-hd6ez]

Give yer head a wobble the clash we're the real deal nothing like the bell bono and u2.

[@doctorgoobie7329]

Overrated.

[@seth7712]

No.

[@patrickfitzgerald409]

One of the greatest English bands.

[@thedude1187-q9q]

Your bands better

[@drea4195]

Why are you wasting your time on this then

[@jasonhicks3364]

Explain. People who just lazily post a criticism without out any explanation are usually trolls..

[@End-Result]

The Clash - like them or loathe them - were never a punk band.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Correct they were a Rock n Roll band. A bloody good one. Punk was largely Shite and a flash in the pan. The Clash used it to get noticed then moved on.

[@barneygumble5174]

So cool