Good News in History, December 14
46 years ago today, The Clash released their third studio album London Calling . The double album, certified platinum in the US, received widespread acclaim and sold over five million copies worldwide. With this LP, the band expanded into styles beyond punk, including reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock—and reflected themes like unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood. WATCH Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, and Stevie van Zandt perform the title track, live at the Grammy Awards in a 2003 Joe Strummer tribute… (1979) Joe Strummer by John Coffey – CC license The front cover of London Calling features a photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass, which is now on display at the Museum of London. Playing at the Palladium in New York City earlier that year, he was frustrated because the bouncers would not allow the audience to stand up out of their seats. The iconic album w…
