Joe Strummer -The Story Behind An Iconic Photo -( Jim Herrington )

[@otisgibbs]

You can see Jim's photographs at these links: Buy prints: jimherrington.bigcartel.com/ Website: www.jimherrington.com Instagram: @jimherrington

[@joelfildes5544]

Otis,this is just getting weird now,was watching your vid to ‘Darker side of me’ and there’s an image of a star wars stormtrooper on one closed shop shutter,and some butterflies on the one next door.The Butterflies refer to the shop behind a famous hang out for waifs and strays in Manchester’s Northern Quarter,a second hand record shop,and band rehearsal room,that my band had a room in for over a decade…what ARE the chances?! Most of my record collection came from there whilst browsing in down time during ‘musical interludes’…the pub across the road ,The Castle,was our ‘local’ and also a venue…with NO rules…and I mean NONE ! Cheers,see you next month (no I’m not a stalker !)

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

Great story.....but then..... they're always great Otis. ✌️ 🎃

[@SnEaKeRSkEr]

His photographs are amazing and I was happy to see a Gillian Welch her and Dave Rawlings are fantastic.

[@FREEDOMFUNADVENTURE]

Great sorry. Joe Strummer created so many stories and connections for people. ❤ Joe and miss him daily.

[@riitaalin]

Yeah Jim Herrington!! What a great Photographer & Story Teller.

[@JohnRHughes]

I'm from Milwaukee. I love the story.

[@shitfer]

I was imagining one of the small cafes on State st as this was being told. I was in Milwaukee every summer thru the 90's on. Once I met someone describing a great music teacher from the Bay area where i was living then. Turned out the teacher was the BF of my downstairs older neighbor. I knew them both very well. Sadly, they're both gone now. Small world. The neighbors next to me were 2 brothers. 1 was a photographer, the other a prominent musician. I think he's still playing guitar for a legend. I inherited a great cat from them once upon a time. Nick Cave tells a great story about running into Strummer in LA.

[@good_king_guitarman1334]

I could listen Jim tell stories for days....!

[@jeffanderson8384]

Drinking at a bar with Joe Strummer!!! It doesn't get much more badass then that! Great story!

[@Claytone-Records]

“That story drops more names than a drunk mailman”. I think I can utilize that, Mr. Herrington. Writing credit included. Straight to hell boy.

[@brettthompson2743]

Such a great story, Jim is clearly a great storyteller. The Clash was my favorite band and Joe meant more to me than any other musician. ‘From Willesden to Cricklewood’ is my favorite Joe song. ‘White Man in Hammersmith Palais’ was my favorite Clash song #RIPJoe

[@TheOldYellers]

What a great story. A testament to just being true to your self and being willing to take chances when they come. Always dug strummers voice. It was raw with a lot of passion. The Clash songs are legendary but I like Burning Streets and Midnight Jam from his StreetCore record.

[@ihidnan]

I think his Mescaleros stuff is better than the Clash

[@ihidnan]

I had a black Dodge Charger that I love. It was dying so I had to trade it in. I left my Streetcore CD in the player as an offering to the Gods

[@fivehead6675]

Streetcore was probably my favorite record he was ever part of.

[@01DaveJr]

Jim is an excellent storyteller. Thank you very much for sharing. I really miss Joe. Never met him & that's fine but evry time I hear a Strummer story i think to myself, "Yep, what a cool, intersting, good dude." Inspirational. From his post Clash work I really love Johnny Appleseed, Coma Girl, Get Down Moses and Trash City. I can't quite narrow it down. W The Calsh? White Riot, Know Your Rights, Clampdown...

[@davide.8176]

Jim Herrington is a treasure for sure. I'm glad you're documenting these stories, I think they are important from a historical perspective and not just anecdotal entertainment. That being said, 1. London Calling 2. Rudie Don't Fail. and I absolutely love Strummer's covers of Toots Hibbert's Pressure Drop and Bobby Fuller Four's I Fought The Law.

[@shawnmclean7932]

Joe changed my life. Rip Joe Strummer.

[@privatetatum]

How lovely. Great story!

[@fivehead6675]

Oh my word… I loved Joe and so happy to see this story. I saw him and the Mescaleros at a small venue in Scottsdale AZ about a year before he died. He was incredibly kind and gracious.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

I still can't believe Joe is gone. He was legendary. Thanks Otis and Jim.

[@ClintonCaraway]

I have been a Jim Herrington fan my whole life without ever knowing it. After a rabbit hole adventure after watching one of his previous episodes on the channel I was amazed by the pictures he has taken that I recognized.

[@artemisXsidecross]

A great story, story teller, and photographer; thank you both.

[@DoppelgangerShockwave]

Awesome story. For me, being the diehard fan I am of Joe's work, it is near impossible for me to pick my favorite song of his. I love all of Joe's music equally.

[@ministerofdarkness]

Favorite Joe Strummer song without a doubt is " I'm Not Down " PLAY LOUD

[@ardenevox]

Incredible story!!!!

[@noismsorschisms3739]

Been a big fan of the Clash and Joe for many a long year. Joe's "Johnny Appleseed" is a keeper in my mind - Thanks Otis as always!

[@anthonymorales842]

These stories are great love em

[@frankwebster9110]

Awesome Jim.

[@canajian]

What a great story... 👋😎👍

[@MrBluoct]

Great story Jim! Thanks Otis “… Death or glory Becomes just another story Death or glory Just another story Gonna march a long way Fight a long time Got to travel over mountains Got to travel over seas. …” Joe Strummer - Gone too soon, but fondly remembered around the globe and …. still traveling ~

[@kevinkappelman6227]

Love me some Joe Strummer stories, thanks for posting that!!

[@lessparks9388]

Bering Strait was one of my favorite bands! I still listen to their CD.

[@williamlawrence4853]

Absolutely love how all genres are intertwined in the stories you are able to dig up.

[@oliverwitton1930]

Great story, Thanks for sharing

[@zeramoke]

Great story - Strummer is an amazing artist, for me its got to be Burning Lights as my favourite Strummer song - its more of a painting than a song for me so much texture, imagery and an open feeling to it, just great.

[@johnreilly9748]

Jim is a great story teller and has great stories to tell! His mannerisms and expressions help spin the yarn, cool stuff Otis.

[@rickhoffman2826]

Great story!

[@david.leikam]

Great story! 👏

[@sollyperry885]

So rad! I love this one👍😉

[@erikgislason2283]

Great story!!

[@Bill-cv1xu]

Happy birthday J.S.

[@jlore6344]

Oh man, maybe my fav clip you have done for us. Thank you for this. My fav Joe Strummer song is Burning Lights (solo song, from his wilderness years or around there).

[@bjorntannberg1581]

I love these stories. Keep 'em coming.

[@3340steve]

Thank you for posting this brilliant story. Jim is so cool. In fact my favorite Joe Strummer song is on that album. The track is Get Down Moses. There is a great live take of it on KZbin. Thanks OTIS. Your channel is a part of my day.

[@TR-yi8up]

Jim did Chris’s second album cover during his wilderness years in Milwaukee

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

This is just the coolest channel. Super interesting people telling super interesting stories. Thanks Otis. You rock brother. Peace.

[@gregwalker1913]

Great storytelling. Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer together, as it should be. The song they keep referring to is Long Shadow. That's a pretty good one. Their duet of Redemption Song is excellent too. Coma Girl, Get Down Moses and Johnny Appleseed are also excellent. Thanks Otis, these pieces are most welcome. And Joe's cover of Silver and Gold is a personal favourite.

[@bradhardisty1652]

Cool stories, experiences.

[@jeffkiefer6972]

My fave Strummer song changes with the season, Johnny Appleseed holds sway for now. “If you’re after getting the honey you don’t go killin all the bees!”

[@Barry101er]

Great story Jim. Fave Strummer track: "Straight to Hell"

[@Uppertown]

Mind blowing stories. I used to check IDs at the Rainbow. Lol! Saw The Clash at the St. Paul Civic Center. How to pick just one St. Joe song? How about Johnny Appleseed?

[@mojo6778]

There is something always surprising in these stories and they are so great. Jim is quite the interesting person with many a good story. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@Mike583]

I love these stories Otis,thank you so much! I only wish they were longer!❤

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Robert!

[@rknprs]

“That story drops more names than a drunk mailman”…..🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ABT212]

My favorite Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros song is Techno D Day

[@joelfildes5544]

I’m a fellow ‘snapper’ and had the luck to hang with Strummer after a mates wedding.That mate being Martin Slattery of The Mescalaros,so got to photograph him/them at a few gigs,and had a real late night post that wedding at Manchester town hall.Seen The Clash a few times back in the day,big fan,a dream come true to hang with Joe,and share a few spliffs,plus I got a pic of me and him,drinking and smoking,with arms round each other in a proper ‘swagger’ that I ALWAYS abuse other Clash fans with…anyways Otis,I believe you are coming over to Manchester next month,hoping to be there ! cheers.Ignore Alien Order ! Ps,Why do Marxists only drink green tea ? Because all proper tea is theft!

[@Claytone-Records]

There’s another lyric: “Because all proper tea is theft”. I might could utilize that, writing credit included : ). Great background about your experience with Joe. Dig the Mescaleros. Cheers with proper tequila from Austin Texas. C

[@joelfildes5544]

@@Claytone-Records also hung with and ‘shot’ Joe Ely/Dave Gruesome back in the day,a small Uni gig at Manchester,a phenomenal gig,so good that we drove the two hours to Birmingham(not Alabama) the night after,to watch em again ! Yes,I’m a musician too,but that didn’t work out,so I took the second choice,but they ALL beat working ! Ha,ha…don’t mess with Texas ! Cheers from Blighty.

[@Claytone-Records]

@@joelfildes5544 Joe Ely is a rock n rolling icon and with Dave on the geetar well… them boy’s is the shit. Spent many a night in 6th street jukes drinking Shiner, doing shots and digging the band. I used to make field recordings of local bands 20+ years ago. Have put some on youtube and should put up more. I tried being a musician for awhile too, it usually ends bad or worse and I didn’t stay with it. Only playing with myself anymore : ).

[@joelfildes5544]

@@Claytone-Records great stuff,I only dreamt of Texas from the pissing rain here,weirdly I just watched Otis’s vid of ‘the darker side of me’ and had a Twilight Zone moment.At the 45sec he shows two closed shop shutters,the one on the right is my bands old rehearsal room (Butterfly Music in Manchester)…! See above,I mentioned this to Otis,above…and sent the vid to the guy who ran it(proper hippy second hand record store)…wtf !?! I love my little ‘Vonnegution’ moments…yup,playin on my own again too,apart from playing bass in my dads country band…he’s 82,the band have been going over 60 years in one form or another,currently called …you guessed it…The Texans !…I shit you not.

[@Claytone-Records]

@@joelfildes5544 That’s some Vonnegut moments all around, Kurt just keeps on giving. Otis gets around and will continue to do so I’m sure. But that surely is something about the connection to Butterfly Music, what are the odds? That’s is so cool that you play in your dad’s shit kicking band, The Texans from Birmingham upon Blighty. Something to be said for family tradition.

[@stevevice9863]

Jim Harrington is the Forrest Gump of photography. I love his stories. I can see why he gets access to some of these folks. He comes off as a genuine person and not some kind of a groupie. Hope you can document more of his tails.

[@flyemhard]

good story Jim....enjoyed it !

[@sevenmileridgeband]

cool story. great photography

[@stevewuertz3598]

Jim's a great storyteller and while I'd seen some of his work, I'm glad for a better introduction. Regarding Joe Strummer-longtime fan but I keep running into his riffs on songs that are new to me-I check out the NPR station (KUT FM) playlists thinking that must be a Strummer song or a Strummer guest gig or a Clash song that I'd forgotten-gotta rediscover that. Strummer's rif style especially the wrist action on the right hand-very influential. A couple of weeks back it was Walking at a Downtown Pace by The Parquet Courts

[@ToadstoolShadow]

"Death is a Star" seems to have ended up my favorite Clash song.

[@richardbond9481]

Loved Joe and of course the Clash earlier in the year bought his Assembly lp on vinyl really love Get down Moses, one of the good guys who left us too soon

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Joe Strummer song and did you ever see The Clash live?

[@dickrichards9650]

Yes I did. The first show, that I ever went to, in 1983, or 84, in the Astrodome, during the American leg, of the Combat Rock Tour. My cousin Tim, took me, unbeknownst to my Ma. I was a real young kid. I got in big trouble, and he got in worse. Favorite song, is tough, but "White Riot", is one

[@stephenrostkoski837]

Only saw the Clash once, opening for the Who in 1982 at the cavernous Kingdome in Seattle. Somehow, the Clash made the giant venue seem like a club and may have upstaged the headliners. It's impossible to pick a favorite Strummer song, but I'll go with "London Calling." Wonderful stories and photographs.

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

I saw them in 1980 at the Santa Monica Civic, and again in I think 1984 at the Long Beach Arena. Both great shows, of course. Gotta say that Joe's version of Redemption Song brings the tears every time. I know it 's not strictly a "Joe Strummer song", but there are too many of "his" songs to pick one favorite. Peace.

[@stevenkeith9033]

1) Drug Stabbing Time 1a) Hateful

[@davidm9439]

Back in the day they played in Vancouver B.C. I was front stage below paul Simonon, it was was the last song of the night "white riot" Paul reached from the stage and grabbed my brothers arm to pull him up on stage, I went up next and took Pauls mic and started singing the song along with Joe to my right. I remember seeing the lights reflecting off all the heads bopping up and down in the theater and hearing my voice through the PA syetem with the band, I looked over at Joe and thought Is this really happening? To top it off, the photographer for a local entertainment paper "The Georgia straight" happened to get a photo of it. The following edition of the paper I was on the front page singing with the band! Wish I had the sense back then to keep a copy.. :( An Epic memory of what was my absolute favorite band! Joe is a true mentor!

[@teleandtwin65]

More Jimmy stories!

[@buckshot.98]

Hey Otis, any shows coming up? Me and my buddies up here in Northern Michigan love your stuff and wanna make the drive down to see you play!

[@Caperhere]

Beautiful prints. I hope he sells a lot.

[@ihidnan]

Ramshackle Day Parade is pretty great

[@loganknapp8905]

Long shadow - joe strummer

[@artbylarry]

cool man

[@nlumby]

...what a nice guy :)

[@techobsessed1]

I didn't see that coming.

[@JukkaRaySkaReinivuo]

The hole Streetcore album is great

[@juicingcornerchris]

YOU MUST WATCH THIS: Damien Hirst's: Treasures of the Wreck of the Unbelievable

[@stevenkeith9033]

Favorite Strummer song? 1) Drug Stabbing Time 1a) Hateful

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Thanks for this story 🙏 I was a snotty west coast punk when I got into The Clash. Joe and company always seemed like the real deal- just down to earth guys playing their music. I don't pick favorites as far as songs, I like all of them. Much thanks to Jim for another great story! "Dropping more names than a drunk mailman..." 🤣🤣🤣 Be good to you! 🤍💛🤍

[@vivio2852]

Had he moved my tripod I wouldn’t have give him photo credit either. 😂

[@jessejorgensen3931]

Haha 101 comments...and cool story. I wish i had your hair. I wish i had hair.

[@michaellminto5272]

I met my hero Joe after getting back stage at bonds on the second night of there Residency in NYC. I talked to him and Mick and Don Letts. Joe asked me how I liked the show and what bands I liked and what life was like and so on. Then asked me my full name, and wrote it down on a tiny piece of paper, I said why? And he said your on the guest list for the rest of the shows. My young 18 year old mind was blown. I saw my favorite band The Clash another 19 times At Bonds. Joe was one of the nicest people I ever met. And anyone else who hung with him knows what I'm talking about. And I think about him daily. He is surely missed. Thanks for this story.

[@otisgibbs]

That's tremendous, Michael! : )

[@AlexanderLaurence]

There is a special place in hell for whoever is responsible for CUT THE CRAP!

[@Rock887-n4w]

You gonna show the photo???

[@caseysmith544]

The Clash Version of I fought the Law. I always thought the original song should have been a punk song. I like the song Rudie Can't fail as well. The Other is Train in Vain as that is there song yet so many other Punk groups have done a cover of the song especially during the 1990's Punk revival with the good Punk and New wave playing, not the crap extra Pop Punk that is more just Hard Rock or Rock then Punk.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

There is no bad story about Joe Strummer

[@rg353]

Johnny Appleseed

[@mojo6778]

Favorite Joe Strummer / Clash is Rock The Casbah.

[@Steve80458]

White Man...

[@jamiegroves5155]

I love All Of the clash but Joe's redemption song his rendition of IT is great like you I spent 24 hours with Joe in 1982 He was a great guy and I will always cherish the memories of Joe forever and ever He is in my heart apart from my kids and grandkids being born IT was one of the highlight of my life