- Year of release
- 1979
- Label
- CBS Records
- Genre
- Punk rock
- Buy this album
- Download | Buy CD
The point at which the world, and America in particular, finally got their heads around the London punk phenomenon, and fully embraced its most gifted and accessible songwriters; Mick Jones and Joe Strummer would become the blank generation's Lennon and McCartney.
Best tracks:
Guns Of Brixton
London Calling
Lost In The Supermarket
Top facts:
- Although named Album Of The 80s by Rolling Stone mag, its actual release date in the UK was December 1979. The Clash also endured terrible arguments with their label about its constitution as a double album. CBS only agreed after being conned by Strummer that the second disc was a 'bonus'.
- The behaviour of troubled producer Guy Stevens set the tone for the sessions. As well as barking orders into the ears of any passing musician, he had no qualms about pouring red wine into a brand new piano to "improve" the sound, or adding commentary from a Leeds/Arsenal game to Death Or Glory.
- London Calling's iconic cover resulted from a photo taken by Pennie Smith - Paul Simonon destroying his bass in frustration at the band's distance from their fans at their New York Palladium show on 21st September 1979. Strummer loved the shot. Simonon (who is currently exhibiting his own artwork) hated it. Strummer won.
If you like this, try:
101ers: Elgin Avenue Breakdown
Mano Negra: Patchanka
Pogues: Rum, Sodomy & The Lash
Green Day: Dookie
Wolfmother: Wolfmother
Next classic album: Air: Moon Safari >>
