John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), better known as Joe Strummer, was a British singer, musician, and composer.
He was a co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the punk music band the Clash, which was established in 1976.
The Clash’s second album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope (1978), debuted at No. 2 on the UK charts. Soon after, they found success in the United States, beginning with London Calling (1979) and peaking with Combat Rock (1982), which reached No. 7 on the US charts and was certified 2 platinum there.
The Clash’s explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and defiant attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock music in general, particularly alternative rock. Their music blended reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly.
Other highlights of Strummer’s career included spells with the 101ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Mescaleros, and the Pogues, as well as solo work. His job as a musician allowed him to pursue other interests such as acting, composing music for television shows and films, and anchoring the BBC Radio show London Calling.
Strummer and the Clash were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in January 2003. In his honor, Strummer’s friends and family formed the Joe Strummer Foundation (formerly known as Strummerville), a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to artists and supports organizations across the world that promote empowerment through music.
Joe Strummer children: Meet Jazz Mellor, Lola Mellor
Strummer began dating Gaby Salter shortly after her 17th birthday in 1978. The pair was together for 14 years and had two kids, Jazz, and Lola, but they never married since Strummer was unable to find and divorce Moolman.
Jazz Domino Holly, the late Joe Strummer’s daughter, is the founder of the Shoreditch Sisters Women’s Institute, which has been hailed as the forerunner of the WI’s recent renaissance since its inception in 2007. For the Company magazine, she publishes a monthly craft piece. The word on the street is that there is a new book on the way.
Lola Maybellene, the Clash frontman’s younger daughter, was named not after the well-known American cosmetics brand, but after the song Maybellene by rock’n’roll singer Chuck Berry, one of Strummer’s favorite singers and main musical influences.
Joe was delayed in Madrid when Lola was born in 1986 because his wife was in labor at a hospital in London. The plot of the film I Need A Dodge was inspired by this story.
Lola is extensively involved in the music industry, having followed in her father’s footsteps. Until 2017, she was the main singer of Dark Moon, a London-based alternative, transcendent band.
Lola has been exploring the spiritual and holistic side of music with her Sussex-based organization Psyche Sounds since 2015. At her events, sound ceremonies, meditation, and yoga are frequently combined to explore wellness and spirituality through the arts and humanity’s relationship with the environment.
