For a decade The Clash gave the music scene songs and live shows which would ensure they would live forever as one of the most influential and important British bands of all time. Forming in London in 1976, the classic Clash line up of Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Nicky Headon were one of the first UK bands in a punk scene which would change the course of music forever.
The Clash were like no other band, as along with Punk Rock they ensured that their Reggae, Dub, Funk, Ska and Rockabilly influences also featured in their music, which gave them a sound and records that sounded like no one else had produced before. In the ten years The Clash were around, they produced six studio albums, two live albums, 31 singles, and numerous compilations and box sets which have followed, plus many everlasting anthems such as 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go', 'London Calling', 'Rock The Casbah', 'Train In Vain', 'Rudie Can't Fail', 'Bankrobber', 'Complete Control', 'White Riot', and so many more. Many books have been written about the band, but now a new book has been released which tells the story of the band in a way that hasn't been told before, and that is by the fans, and the people who were there. It tells the history of The Clash from the early days of the band to their final days in 1986, in a book which boasts over 300 quality pages. The book, entitled 'All The Young Punks - A People's History Of The Clash' has been put together by author Iain Key, who has been a writer for respected music magazine 'Louder Than War' for several years, but this book is his first publication as an author. Iain recently joined me on Manchester's online grassroots TV channel Mancunia TV, and told me how this book is unique to any others which have been released before, as this one tells the story of the band by people who were there, including musicians, journalists, the bands roadies, and the fans. The book has a foreword by Billy Bragg, and is a must read for any Clash or music fans alike. With a book as good as this, I am sure this won't be the only book released by Iain as an author. Iain Key's book 'All The Young Punks - A Peoples History Of The Clash' is available now on Amazon. If you are a fan of good music, this is a book that definitely needs to be in your collection.
Photo Credit - GEORGINA ROBINSON
