Tom Morello, Bob Weir and Jesse Malin and Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Troy Van Leeuwen were among the artists covering the Clash classics as part of a livestream event celebrating Joe Strummer’s 68th birthday Friday would be.
“A Song for Joe: Celebrating the Life of Joe Strummer” also included performances by Jeff Tweedy, the Hold Steady, Lucinda Williams, Hinds, Josh Klinghoffer and Cherry Glazerr, as well as birthday messages from Beto O’Rourke, Fred Armisen, Strummer’s Mystery Train director Jim Jarmusch and co-stars Steve Buscemi, Shepard Fairey, Bad Brains’ HR and Bruce Springsteen.
‘Joe Strummer, my great, great departed friend and brother I never had. You have been my inspiration for the last 40 years. Happy birthday brother, ”Springsteen said in his message:
‘I’m so grateful I got to know you and work in Memphis on Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train. We had so much fun, we would shoot all night and then hang out at 6 o’clock in the morning with like the Radisson Inn swimming pool, ”said Buscemi. “I’ve had to see so much of your music over the years and I loved it.”
“This event took place on Joe’s birthday in 2020, honoring Strummer’s legacy with special performances and testimonies, as well as never before seen Joe Strummer live footage,” Gates of the West and Dark Horse Records organized the livestream.
“This free event benefits from Save Our Stages, which is spearheaded by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to preserve and protect the independent venues and promoters of the US.”
“To see so many musicians and artists come forward to honor Joe is truly touching,” Lucrum Tait, Strummer’s wife, said in a statement. “Community was always important to him. Whether it was playing music with friends, organizing all-night camps, or hitting festivals, Joe was always focused on bringing people together. Even though we may not all be in the same room together, I could not think of a better way for all of us to feel united. Joe would have liked this. ”
Watch the full event “A Song for Joe” in the video above and select below performances and tribute:
