The Clash

London’s fervid music scene of the mid-70s spawned the birth of punk rock (UK version). John Mellor had been playing rock and roll since 1974 but saw which way the wind was blowing. It was blowing hot and strong with discontent. So with a new name—Joe Strummer—and a new band—The Clash—he and his cronies exploded into London’s clubs and, along with the Sex Pistols, The Damned and others, soon dominated the emerging scene. The first Clash album is an exhilarating blast of rock energy, fast, angry and defiant. But The Clash were no one-trick ponies; their second album was surprisingly mainstream rock while the third melded all the elements into a shiny alloy of great songs and high energy music. London Calling came out as the seventies staggered to a close and remains the most successful Clash album. It and the debut are essential listening.