The Clash - "White Riot"
18 March 1977
Though the Clash were inspired by The Ramones and the Sex Pistols, they had a more positive outlook. Their first single was released on 18 March 1977, but was inspired by the events of the previous summer, when vocalist/guitarist Joe Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon were caught up in violence between black youths and the police at the Notting Hill Carnival. According to Simonon, the song was about "white people getting up and doing it for themselves; our black neighbours were doing it for themselves".
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John, Rochester
Only 11 in '77, but the stuff that Joe, Mick, Paul & Terry/Nicky came up with was excellent. RIP Joe


Paul Simonon
Musician
Bass player with the Clash who later recorded with Damon Albarn and The Good, The Bad And The Queen.