The Clash - Interview with Tom Synder 1981

The Clash interviewed on the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. June 1981.

[@acinodras]

I talked to Joe once on the phone when I was 16 years old. He was being interviewed at a local radio station and I phoned up during a commercial break & asked to speak to him. He was gracious and respectful - - and it's one of my all-time favourite memories of being a teenager. I still miss Joe.

[@rayman17578]

Wow dude im fucking 21 your lucky

[@davedeal9152]

What did you talk about, What did he say to you?

[@leahflower9924]

I wanna talk to Mick I'll fly to England and we can talk about music and history and shit

[@sexobscura]

I condole you

[@JJONNYREPP]

The Clash - Interview with Tom Synder 1981 0824am 8.9.23 i never met anyone famous... as for what they're like, famous people,. i surmise they stink are apt to misery and fart just like the rest of us.... i just dropped some bread (dough based not fiscal) on the floor. i threw it to the birds. there you go - the news. something relevant to my life. could you get a song out of that event? probably... p.s i never heard paul simonon speak before..

[@josiemaxj763]

Joe Strummer, the only man that can talk serious politics with a teddy bear on his lap

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

It was said that Joe could come up with an endless supply of song ideas and the band had to slow him down so that they could finish the songs. I believe it. We lost a great one.

[@arikurniawan5964]

I believe so

[@leahflower9924]

Take one hour do your thang! Cheeseboiger

[@stephenstone8480]

But we we so lucky to have had him...

[@randolfo1265]

@@leahflower9924 - Vacuum Cleaner Sucks Up Budgie!

[@peterplummer6100]

@@randolfo1265bye bye!!!

[@MMcG19]

This just goes to show that the Clash were very down to earth and didn't consider themselves better than anyone else, unlike a lot of musicians. Gotta love 'em :')

[@sexobscura]

they weren't any more special than a chipped cup

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

They did, however, give themselves the moniker 'the only band that matters'. Not exactly 'humble'! lol

[@BigDaddyZakk420]

We miss you, Joe....You will be remembered.

[@calvinmaynardtmt]

I loved seeing Joe Strummer comb his hair while holding a conversation as if nothing odd is happening. It makes me feel okay about having done it myself!

[@davanmani556]

Calvin Maynard Those are what you call “bomb” moves when having a conversation with someone, date night, or in a public forum. But Joe can do that because the moment doesn’t bother him due to his adult presence which he doesn’t want to be.

[@chadlee914]

Lol. Sorry but LOL.

[@pau1056]

Joe: **being wholesome with the teddy bear** Paul: **aNGRY pUNCH**

[@ArquivosdaAdelle]

The hair… the ears… the voice… the personality… FUCK YES. R.I.P Joe

[@stevienewendyke8570]

Joe is so goddamn adorable in this interview! I loved the part with the teddy bear and the stickers!

[@cubswin3838]

I come away with this. Tom gave them respect. He respected their work. It showed.

[@lordclancharlie1325]

I agree, same feeling

[@densitypop]

He was classy. He did an interview with Iggy Pop where Iggy was all strung out, and he was very kind.

[@tomallen5837]

Yeah Tom Snyder was the best. He was the late-night go-to guy for all us young and restless. He knew it too. He certainly towed the line for the corporate class, but he also had that edge to him that you just knew that he would give his interviewee's a fair shake. He was in that time slot for a reason.

[@infrequentvlogs4433]

Tom was legit. He respected his guests. PiL, Patti, The Ramones, and these guys. He WASN'T Bill Grundy! He was being a mensch.

[@Havanorange]

Tom Snyder was usually very kind to people in that way, from what I've seen. I'd say he was similar to Fred Rogers.

[@jamsim67]

Their lyrics are still relevant today. Music scene definitely needs someone like the Clash.

[@marymary5494]

Will there ever be a band with this type of integrity?

[@MrMarckeedee]

This interview could have been a disaster but Snyder asked the right questions and you can see the attitude of the band change as the interview ensued. by the end he had them and you could tell they enjoyed the banter and answering the questions. A true rare treat.

[@michaelwilson2340]

Snyder was old school and a pro. He and my other favorite, Dick Cavett, didn't insult the guest intelligence or the viewers.

[@ChiliPeppz]

I actually applauded when Joe spoke about the London rent and property prices. It's pretty shit to see that it's only been getting worse over the decades, even during a bloody economic downturn.

[@chadlee914]

Exactly.

[@stephenstone8480]

Has there ever been a band that was more concerned about their fans? Salt of Earth, these lads. They never gave in and never gave up...the template for how a Rock 'n' Roll band should conduct themselves. Long Live THE CLASH!!

[@abbyhowe8706]

I love their "we're just like them" attitude. It's amazing how they look at things and how humble and down to earth they are. Not to mention the English slang that I just LOVE 😂💕

[@Exilemainstreet]

I don't think people remember how great Joe was. One of rock's true class acts.

[@marymary5494]

Oh, I remember.

[@dongofast]

The Clash were one band I wish I saw live. They gave props to their influances with music, they covered a huge span of different types of music . They never took credit for punk, in fact Strummer called The Ramones the godfathers of punk . They mixed punk, ska, funk, reggae, rock and even spanish vibes for their own sound. I will miss the Clash!

[@sexobscura]

be thankful you didn't

[@andrewbrown1463]

Joe has the coolest voice ever. Many of the best songs by the Clash had both Mick and Joe singing together. Brilliant.

[@leahflower9924]

Yes I've always said that on other videos nothing sweeter than Joe and Mick harmonizing on same song ❤️

[@betsyred4830]

No one was ever cooler ... love them forever!

[@richardcolla2949]

they were the best....saw them at bonds times sq....the pier on the hudson...they deserved more than opening for the who ar shea 82

[@betsyred4830]

Richard Colla​ Agreed. I saw them on Paris in 84 (unfortunately without Mick). They had respect for their fans and really saw people and the world. There's only one other band from the same era (Berurier Noir) who had the same philosophy. And musically they were so good and versatile.

[@keithleereynolds]

I love The Clash. Good thing they communicated better through their music than through conversation!

[@cubswin3838]

You've been here eight years? Awesone! He hit Tom dammned good with that. Tom took it. GREAT interviewer. Tom Snyder is great.

[@mrblifil]

"Why don't you play more love songs?" "The subject's been covered..."

[@kenfxj]

The only band that matters.

[@qazzell]

The only band?

[@twitterydock4075]

@@qazzell its their slogan

[@qazzell]

@@twitterydock4075 Yeah i know, what a pretentious statement.

[@twitterydock4075]

@@qazzell their record label did it, not them. don't hate on the band for something they didn't even say

[@qazzell]

@@twitterydock4075 I don't hate them.Noel Gallagher used to use that saying,but it was the only man that matters ...in relation to Paul Weller...And it annoyed me then.John Lydon's opinion on the clash is quite well known "posh kids spending mum and dads money trying to be rebels". I have nothing against them just don't like that saying....implying everyone else is wasting their time.

[@davidellis5141]

At the time of this interview , The Clash were the Best Band in the world.

[@TheStein474]

They still are

[@TruthSurge]

Tom can interview anyone and make it work. Or COULD interview anyone.

[@david203]

Tom was an incredibly good-looking guy who said the funniest things. I would stay home from school to watch him. I'll bet that almost all his material was recorded on tapes that were later reused or erased. So no one will ever know how amazing he was.

[@JMacque]

He has a nice voice and a great personality.

[@QuadMochaMatti]

Although I was around at the time (being born in '72), I was too young to either know of or be awake to watch his original "Tomorrow Show", but regularly tuned into his radio show when I was in high school and Junior College, and also watched his revived TV presence on both CNBC and The Late Late Show on CBS when I was at Uni and beyond. I always appreciated his particular style. Hard to believe that he's been gone since 2007. I'm sure he'd have a lot of thoughts on what's transpired in ️the years since his passing.

[@danschreffler1280]

Except maybe John Lydon.

[@B4NDllKOOT_]

@@danschreffler1280 is say so

[@alittlehorse]

I really like this interviewer, he's very plesant, to listen to and the way he asks the questions and the way he interacts with the band.

[@jeffsims8270]

Mick was, is, and ALWAYS will be my absolute favorite member of THE CLASH!!!!

[@Triplesod]

When Joe was talking about getting fed up with people asking him to sign or pose for pics etc, it reminded me of seeing him play the Mcr Acadamy a year or so before he died. My mates dad was with us who is a HUGE Clash/Joe fan. At the after show party I went up to Joe (having never met him before) and asked him if he would say hello to my mates dad. He was very happy (and drunk) to do so. But after hearing this, i really really wish i'd just left him alone. Great guy!

[@pj5517]

I was at that show

[@MarkKennedyStillKickingtfc]

Wow!! Hindsight rules one's thoughts and feelings around this. Credit to Tom Snyder for taking them seriously and wanting to get to the motivations for the politics. Understanding for the band, US television was a wasteland for anything current, thoughtful and creative back then. The Clash seem prepared to take the piss out of this American tv guy and as it dawned on them that he was the real deal and truly wanted to bring out their best side, they did not have time to unfurl a manifesto (that is what the songs were for) and so settled for a quieter sincerity.

[@damnyou01]

i agree.. they seemed like they were waiting for the grundy moment but when he was just honestly interested in them they called off the dogs.

[@isetmfriendsofire]

They're no Johnny Rotten

[@martydibergi5228]

Excellent insight on the interview, 👍

[@annmariesnyder5267]

Mark is that you???From LLS? I have been looking for you!!

[@martydibergi5228]

Somebody is watching you

[@jakeg.7562]

I was at one of those Bonds shows when still a teenager. Opening act was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Clash opened their set with "I'm so Bored with the USA" and never looked back...

[@skatingdread]

This is why we all loved The Clash! Such down to earthness...

[@scranbob123]

“We know that one day we will return and become nothing again”

[@neil5872]

Truth

[@WhizMitchell]

I'd actually gotten wind of some of this band's greatness back in the late 70's early 80's when I heard the songs "This Is Radio Clash" , "London Calling", and "Train In Vain"... then, by chance, I'd actually saw them live on three late night TV shows during their 80's promo album tour, not sure of which ones, and two of those times, they performed the song "Should I Stay or Should I Go"...but it was when I finally saw first their video "Rock The Casbah" on MTV, that I finally became a huge fan, and I am still a Clash fan to this day!

[@jamiemassey6552]

Mick looks mad. Love it.

[@ultrakool]

he was the serious one

[@shannonoreilly27]

wow i keep rewinding 2:56 to hear mick say "we don't want to poo poo on the fans" i keep laughing so hard

[@keevyhazelton3750]

That's the difference between the clash and gg allin

[@colinpsykes]

I love these people.

[@steveinphilly]

I miss Tom Snyder. And Joe Strummer. What a great clip!

[@johnsain]

Saw them in '79 at the NY Palladium...the excitement was intense!

[@kennethgraham1829]

The Clash are AWESOME!!!! When The Clash and The Sex Pistols were around, they, and many other Punk groups definitely jolted up Rock and Roll, which it needed badly at the time!!!!

[@excelisfun]

Totally cool!

[@lewisarthur5458]

Mrs-ss: Right, too many songs about love. That's why I love The Clash -

[@Indio156]

Thank you SOOOO MUCH for this! They did two musical numbers for this, as I recall. I was going out with someone who worked for the Clash, and my best girlfriend was Joe's old lady (who would later be the mother to his 2 girls). She and I were sitting front and center (literally) for this show at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It was a great afternoon. After that, was another wonderful show at Bonds. Those were fun days. I am 51 now...not so fun being 51...

[@OnALivingSpreeLLC]

Wow.. that’s an awesome story .. why do you say “ no so fun being 51”

[@StevieZero]

Now you're 65 how u enjoying it ?

[@ruemckenzie9894]

How lovely to see this again. So long ago I worked late evenings at a university library and came home to watch Tom Snyder Tomorrow. Oh yeah The Clash one night and Ayn Rand another. Always kept me thinking.

[@L3SlLeYh]

JOE IS TOO CUTE I CANT BREATHE

[@L3SlLeYh]

tru

[@eileen1820]

+Lesley May OMG - Joe is so charming... Where's my time machine? :)

[@L3SlLeYh]

Eileen D RIGHT, we must go meet him. I'll faint probably though but it'll be worth it

[@joangdemkoatgmail]

+HOW TO PUNK I miss Joe, wish he were still with us

[@jeromemorrow9923]

+john chorzepa Why the fuck do you call her "dear"?

[@pennstatefan]

clashman14 , thanks for this video. The Clash were the real deal. RIP Joe Strummer. They played music and the music was raw and real and incredible , no pretentions whatsoever!

[@MidnightJammer]

Such a great interview.. if I had to show someone one video to explain why I love the Clash, it'd be this one.

[@Indio156]

manwithnoname123, you are SO RIGHT. Tom Snyder show really took risks at the time, and Tom, as a person, was very cool with the bands. He really deserves the kudos for what he did, and for introducing middle America to stuff they were otherwise scared of. Bravo Tom! RIP.

[@Cebukini]

no egos, unpretentious, down to earth super talented guys. RIP Joe, bro.

[@rifraf77]

HOLY CRAP! Thanks for posting this. I remember watching Tom Snyder 25 years ago when he had all this "new Wave" and punk bands on his show. It was such an interesting combination, Tom, the straight-laced-smoking-a-cigarette host, and all these (then) youthful new bands. I bought the Tom Snyder "Punk & New Wave DVD" but they left the Clash off. Thanks again fer posting this!

[@darrylwiggins4799]

This is the boy's at their raw state.simply lovely.

[@midnite2sixman]

What a band. Too bad theres no one like this today. The only band that matters.

[@ProfaneJane1]

The Clash loves Austin Texas, and Austin Texas loves the Clash.

[@underthenorthernstar]

Revolutionary band

[@Smollie1]

just discovering Joe and what he stood for, he is so down to earth and speaks such un-adulterated truth, i think this is he spoke to so many people through his music.

[@erichhonecker8548]

I had the honor of watching this on TV late night and the interview and the greatest song they played is still with me to this day in 2023. God bless you my friends!

[@johnmclean1538]

Best British bands since The Beatles -- The Smiths, Radiohead and The Clash (in no particular order)

[@WilliamViets]

John McLean Bay City Rollers and the Spice Girls merit being on the list.

[@benferris149]

Pink Floyd, Joy Division / New Order, The Police, The Clash, Led Zeppelin

[@useyournogos6845]

@@benferris149 How has no one mentioned the stones

[@sirswearsalot1813]

Radiohead? Meh.

[@davyroger3773]

@@sirswearsalot1813 Radiohead is one of the best bands of the modern era

[@stevethomas3206]

A brilliant interview - and they tell it how it is!

[@carygoleman]

Everybody says that this is a bad interview because he didn't get a lot out of them, but I think this is a top Clash interview precisely for that reason. The entire interview they were more interested in amusing themselves than anything and that in itself says a lot about the Clash my 2cents

[@DanAnderson_TheMaddestShredder]

I had the Amazing pleasure of meeting Topper in my hometown of Vegas back in the early 90s. What an amazing guy so cool relaxed and humble, just looking to have a blast with no drama. We got to spend about 6 hrs with this lovely guy and I will tell you what a talented gifted man. RIP Topper H. Never Forget.

[@yungshue]

Mate - you sure you're not thinking of Joe Strummer? I saw Topper just over a week ago in his hometown in Kent...

[@justme_66]

Dan Anderson topper is still alive as of Feb. 2018

[@kemi3883]

Topper is still alive. Joe strummer was the only band member that unfortunatley passed away

[@kevinshaw1387]

2023 where are the groups now with the passion/ conviction / and originality of The Clash - I was glad to grow up in that decade, theirs very little to excite these days.

[@Augiee31892]

Give Joe his Teddy Bear back :(

[@finnmoore4192]

"I daresay any of you are over 25" "I am" "I am" "I am" "I am" 😂😂

[@leahflower9924]

Dudes a total square

[@jamesobrien1440]

Joe would have turned 70 at the end of next month. Crazy

[@simonandthelyricalpoets]

A long time Clash fan here - a great share thank you, that put a smile on my face 🙂

[@colddarkness1798]

The best punkrock band ever they're LEGENDS

[@russmallen7955]

I love this interview. Joe is so humble.

[@ctrlsneak]

Snyder asks great questions, great interview.

[@streetparade]

Thank you! I remember seeing this back in the day. Joe is absolutely adorable, very funny.

[@greedo591]

Una de las mejores bandas de todos los tiempos.

[@GoCotton]

Tom Synder = Cool dude

[@sisyphus969]

he was one of the best

[@alanmeires]

Cool I think not

[@DonVal86]

alanmeires Tom is so square cause he’s true to himself. That makes him cool in my book.

[@annmariesnyder5267]

@@DonVal86 BINGO!!!

[@MikeGervasi]

What The Clash did for the fans on that oversold run of shows will never be repeated. NO other band gives a shit that much anymore. RIP Joe

[@tomallen5837]

"We got out from very Sticky Wicket" American. I don't know what that means per se, but I get the drift. I know it doesn't mean a good thing. Bless these guys, including good old (boy) Tom Snyder to have them on the air. He was always such a great interviewer. The Clash treated him right, and he, the same. Hard to believe I'm just seeing this for the first time in '22. What a fun interview.

[@paulprac]

Not seen that before. Nice one. Thanks for the link.

[@itamhoe]

I remember an interview made to Johnny Ramone and he claimed that the only band that scared him inside the punk movement was The Clash, because of their originality and talent.

[@WhiskeyYouth]

you can tell this was the 80's because of the cup at 0:13

[@baswed]

Great interview thanx for posting!

[@shovingwords]

lovely. Thank you for posting this video. Really lovely to see the Clash like this. Xx

[@josephgray1996]

SO THAT'S HOW U SAY PAUL'S LAST NAME

[@robroberts1473]

I grew up during the whole punk rock era and I admit I never really got it, but I really liked the music but I think I kind of understand what those folks were trying to say now iam a slow learner lol

[@Mariagaro]

I love them!!! they're brilliant in this interview!

[@urbangypsy770]

i loved this inteview! the clash were so cute and ADD and tom snyder did a great job with interviewing them!

[@mankrikswifey]

They were so unprepared for fame. This is just the beginning of their disillusionment with how massive they were getting.

[@davids.794]

I think so. I also think they could have acted like reasonable young men, agreeing to be on Tom Snyder's show......instead of a bunch of petulant teen-agers.

[@hyena131]

+David S. OK grandma...

[@x77punk77x]

+David S. they were punk rock guys, not Steely Dan or something, dude.

[@enriqueosorio3731]

They let their egos get in the way

[@beegee8825]

7:00 joe is like ohh shit mick hahahahahah god bless you joe

[@mikemc0420]

thanks for posting this!

[@ndv180]

Went to the last 2 shows of the Bond's run (Matinee & evening). Was on stage for about 10 minutes at the end of the matinee. Damn those stage lights were hotter than the sun.

[@justme_66]

ndv180 I went to two also, and almost fainted at one. Took loads of pics with a 35 mm camera. Great times.

[@Grendel53]

Pinning Tom Snyder...epic! "Ya been here 8 years?" bahahhaha. It's possible to get out... Time capsule stuff.

[@madridista89]

So rare to see joe being in a good mood during the clash years. So funny, charming and quite adorable. Should have stayed like that and not letting his ego go rampant...

[@Darrenski]

He never let his ego go rampant as you say. He didn't live long enough for that

[@stefaniebirkner7079]

​@@Darrenskithat were Joe's own words in an Interview from 87 and he often said that his ego was one of the reasons the clash ended.

[@chrisisnothere8548]

@@Darrenski"Getting rid of Mick was an ego decision" direct quote from Joe.

[@Maliilse75]

"Not over night, over years!" Ha ha! Bless you Joe! What a cool geezer he was.

[@Direktorsnegl2362]

I love this interview SO MUCH I mean they are all funny, and got their values straight. Joe is such a comedian and I could talk forever. They are all so amazing

[@brianl3766]

"...and put the teddy bear back down" hahaha lmfao

[@Hacker73]

HAHAHAHAHA I AGREE --- They're perfect: even the funniest rockersever! Only British humour can be so funny. CLASSIC Tom Snyder and The Best Band in their Climax.

[@carl_lindquist]

Really liked this video! All the best!!

[@thestormlscoming]

they are so adorable, i love this interview =]

[@pinemarten7509]

That teddy bear is everything I wish I could be... I mean who wouldn't want to get cuddled by joe and then slapped by Paul???💖💖💖

[@chillkootmarkowee8738]

"Don't copy Joe kids" hahaha

[@Devildance1234]

Lol I like the ending the best. "S&M-It only hurts the one you love"

[@photon393]

I found this video through your page, thanks!

[@zenbikesjohn]

Where's that bear now ? And what would it be worth? Great time capsule of an interview !

[@enigma.records6783]

The bear went on to carve a successful career in real estate, sadly he felt this interview didn't show him in his best light.

[@DonVal86]

Innovative Enigma wtf Hahahaha

[@enigma.records6783]

@@DonVal86 well, he asked...

[@wookiekiller]

"How can you feel that life is boring when you haven't begun the half of is and put the teddy bear back down."

[@jhjenn]

Thank you so much! You must have been a real fan to have videod and kept all these years!!! THANK YOU. A real insight.

[@cubswin3838]

I love the badge for Tom. They get the idea it can be fleeting. I love the "8 years? "