The Clash were an English punk rock band formed in 1976 initially consisting of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, guitar), Mick Jones (lead vocals, lead guitar), Paul Simonon (bass guitar), Keith Levene (guitar) and Terry Chimes (drums and percussion). Levene was dismissed in September 1976 and went on to form Public Image Ltd. Terry Chimes performed intermittently as drummer for the first year of the band's existence, before leaving in November 1976 and was briefly replaced by Rob Harper as the Clash toured in support of the Sex Pistols during December's Anarchy Tour. Topper Headon was recruited in May 1977 as the band's permanent drummer, forming the classic Clash line-up which would remain together until 1982.
Headon was dismissed in May 1982 due to drug addiction problems, and Chimes returned in Headon's place. Headon had often acted as a mediating force between the two strong personalities in the band, Strummer and Jones, and in his absence the band began to disintegrate. In May 1983 Chimes left once more and was replaced by Pete Howard. In September 1983, Mick Jones was dismissed due to continued conflict and infighting. Vince White and Nick Sheppard were recruited by band manager Bernard Rhodes as guitarists to replace the departing Jones. The recording of their final album Cut the Crap was chaotic and there was little chemistry between the new group members and the remaining core of the band. Strummer left before it was completed, leaving the final mixes to Rhodes.Anderson, Heibutzki (2018), chapter 9 After a short tour in support of the album in January 1985, the band went on hiatus, which became permanent when the band officially dissolved in 1986.
Band members Classic line-up (May 1977 – May 1982) +ImagesNameTime activeMain instrumentsOccasional instrumentsRelease contributionsJoe StrummerMay 1976–1986 all Clash releasesPaul SimononMay 1976–1986all Clash releasesMick JonesMay 1976–September 1983all Clash releases except Cut the Crap (1985)Topper HeadonMay 1977–May 1982
Other members +ImageNameTime activeMain InstrumentsRelease contributionsTerry ChimesdrumsKeith LeveneMay–September 1976 lead and rhythm guitarNoneRob HarperDecember 1976–January 1977drumsPete HowardMay 1983–1986Cut the Crap (1985)Vince White1983–1986rhythm and lead guitarNick Sheppard
Session members or groups +ImageNameTime activeMain InstrumentsRelease contributionsAllen Lanier1978pianoGive 'Em Enough Rope (1978)Stan BronsteinsaxophoneBob AndrewskeyboardsMickey Gallagher1979–1980 The Irish Horns
Ray Bevis – tenor saxophone John Earle – tenor and baritone saxophone Chris Gower – trombone Dick Hanson – 1979hornsLondon Calling (1979)Tymon Dogg1980–1982Norman Watt-Roybass guitarJ.P. Nicholson1980Sandinista! (1980)Davey PaynesaxophoneGary Barnacle 1980–1982Arthur Edward Barnacle1980trumpetSandinista! (1980)Rick GascoignetromboneLew Lewis harmonicaEllen Foley1980–1982vocalsMikey Dread1980Band Sgt. Dave YatesSandinista! (1980)Den HegartyLuke & Ben GallagherMaria Gallagher Ivan JulianguitarNoel "Tempo" BaileyAnthony Nelson SteeliekeyboardsStyle Scott drumsJody Linscott percussionAllen Ginsberg1981–1982vocalsCombat Rock (1982)Futura 2000Kosmo Vinyl Joe Elybacking vocalsTommy MandelkeyboardsHermann Weindorf1985Cut the Crap (1985)Michael Fayne
Timeline
Line-ups PeriodMembersReleasesMay–September 1976 Joe Strummer – lead vocals Mick Jones – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals Keith Levene – rhythm and lead guitar Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Terry Chimes – drumsNoneSeptember–November 1976 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Terry Chimes – drumsDecember 1976–January 1977 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Rob Harper – drumsFebruary–May 1977 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Terry Chimes – drums The Clash (1977) Black Market Clash (1980) The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (1988) 1977 Revisited (1990) Clash on Broadway (1991) The Singles (1991) Super Black Market Clash (1993) May 1977 – May 1982 (Classic lineup) Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Topper Headon – drums, percussion, vocals Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978) London Calling (1979) Black Market Clash (1980) Sandinista! (1980) Combat Rock (1982) The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (1988) 1977 Revisited (1990) Clash on Broadway (1991) The Singles (1991) Super Black Market Clash (1993) From Here to Eternity: Live (1999) May 1982 – May 1983 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Terry Chimes – drums From Here to Eternity: Live (1999) Live at Shea Stadium (2008)May 1983–September 1983 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Pete Howard – drumsnone 1983–1986 Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Nick Sheppard – lead guitar, vocals Vince White – rhythm and lead guitar Paul Simonon – bass, vocals Pete Howard – drums Cut the Crap (1985) Joe Strummer 001 (2018)
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