Should I stay or should I go now? The answer is, of course, obvious: you must not walk but run to this free exhibition of the history of The Clash.
The iconic quartet band played a huge role in cementing the British punk rock scene, and when they released their third album ‘London Calling’ in 1979 it became an immediate classic. Now, forty years on, an immense collection of memorabilia is coming to the Museum of London, in an exhibition aptly titled ‘The Clash: London Calling’.
See also: Kurt Cobain’s ‘Unplugged’ Cardigan Heads to Auction
To reflect the band’s diverse range of political, emotional and musical interests, the exhibition features a broad range of more than 150 items from the band’s personal archive, including Paul Simonon’s broken Fender Precision Bass, which was smashed on stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21 September 1979.
Also included is clothing, Mick Jones’ handwritten album sequencing note, Joe Strummer’s notebook from the period when the album ‘London Calling’ was rehearsed and recorded (little did he know these would become the lyrics to the famous title track ‘London Calling’), and Joe Strummer’s typewriter used to document ideas, lyrics and other writings.
See also: Frank Sinatra's Piano Sells for Over £80,000
You can also see Topper Headon’s drumsticks – one of the only remaining items of his from this time. Not to mention the iconic album prints, sketches and cartoons, as well as quotes and personal accounts from members of the band, which are all on show.
To coincide with the opening of the display Sony Music have released the London Calling Scrapbook: a 120-page hardback companion which comes with the album and contains hand-written lyrics, notes, photos and previously unseen material from the period when the record was made.
As well as showcasing all of these amazing archival pieces, the exhibit – which is on until 19 April 2020 – examines how The Clash as they came to be one of the most popular British bands of the 20th century.
