So a few days ago was the anniversary of Joe Strummers death. I don't anniversary deaths so I intentionally didn't write about him on that day. Why? Cuz I don't remember people only on the day of death or birth but at random moments or eternally. Yeah, a calendar may says hes been gone for 9 years but to me, he lives. He lives in me every time I pick up a newspaper.
See, before Joe I was just a punk rocker with a cool hair cut. Joe made me a smart punk. He made me look around and not only realize that the world was freakin huge but it was mine. Mine as in ours. We are part of a giant Global a Go Go, you can think you're in your just a cog in the wheel, but you aren't. What you do and how you behave effects everything around you. Its if you chose to realize it. Your buying decisions fund movements and revolutions they encourage fair trade or tyranny. What you put in your mouth impacts life, you're either adding or subtracting from humanity.
What you listen to creates a market. You can make a rich rock star or you can make sure your favorite band has gas money but you are not just a shadow.
So its your responsibility to look outside your back yard. I am. I see your backyard and if your dog is tangled up Im gonna help him. That's metaphoric I'm not Adele, I'm not stalking you but I accept the fact that I am part of something greater than what I can fit in my handbag.
Joe Strummer, and lets just focus on the Mescalero days, brought us back to "Redemption Song" and "Get Down Moses". Songs that were old and forgotten but cuz he was looking to the distance made them new and got us to stop and listen again, "We've got to fulfill the book". Joe may be gone but it is the least we can do to continue to learn and continue to dream and aspire.
Perhaps in time I have romanticized Joe. Hes just a man really but its not who he is but what he did- he opened up the mind of one kid. I'm not alone. He with word and music opened closed minds and got us moving. Told stories and asked questions "Question Authority", "don't go kilin all the bee's".
My heart rips apart at times, like a literal shred as I think of my encounters with Strummer and the impact that they left. "C'mon baby, your credit is good', the laughs the playfulness the guru….Yeah, romanticized indeed. A snapshot of an entire life.
You gotta gotta stop and listen- you must. You gotta start with "Coma Girl" and you cannot stop until you wear out 'Wilsden To Cricklewood".
Opening up to the Church of Strummer would open your mind to countries and sounds and plights and fun that you would otherwise miss. Don't allow it. If you never met him, you'll appreciate who he was in what he has left for you. If you have met him you will again feel that warming presence.
They say Strummer passed due to heart failure. His heart was huge and overflowing and he he used his heart and his mind to fuel all of those who found him. What an amazing human being. What a great time to remember to keep learning. "Let the drummer drum".