Strummer, leader of legendary punk band The Clash, dies at 50

JOE STRUMMER, frontman with the Clash whose 1979 track London Calling exploded as one of punk’s biggest anthems, has died at the age of 50.

The singer, guitarist and songwriter died on Sunday at his home in Somerset, western England of unknown causes.

“We do not yet know the cause of death, but we believe it was not suspicious and that he passed away peacefully. An autopsy will be forthcoming,” a spokesman for Strummer said.

Born John Graham Mellor in Ankara, Turkey, Strummer’s talents propelled him from playing for change on the London Underground to fame with the Clash, who with the Sex Pistols defined the in-your-face sound and style of 1970s British punk.

Until they split in the 1980s, the Clash produced a catalogue of punk classics, including Career Opportunities and Should I Stay or Should I Go?, distilling the depression, anger and energy of 1970s Britain.

But they transcended the three-chord aggression to deliver messages of anti-racism and social consciousness. Strummer, the son of a British diplomat, wrote many of their biggest hits.

“He was one of the most important figures in modern British music, a powerful performer and wordsmith on a level with Bob Dylan,” said Pat Gilbert, editor of British music magazine Mojo

“His music had compassion and vision, backed with an agenda to change the world for the better.”

Sometimes described as rebels with a cause, the Clash fused a variety of musical styles with a political message that brought punk to the mainstream and also found big success in the US market.

U2 lead singer Bono said: “The Clash was the greatest rock band. They wrote the rule book for U2.”