Passion is a Fashion: The Real Story of the Clash - Softcover

Gilbert, Pat

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845131134 ISBN 13: 9781845131135

Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd, 2006

Synopsis

The only internationally successful, million-selling group to emerge from the late seventies London punk scene, the Clash set out to change the world with a potent mix of politics, blazing rock?n?roll and iconic imagery. The band?s interest in social issues - unemployment, racism, police oppression - and fascination with international events - terrorism, CIA-backed coups, the shadow of nuclear war - reflected the turmoil of an era when the great cultural revolution of the sixties appeared to have failed. It was an agenda mirrored in the Clash?s music, which swiftly evolved from ferocious punk rock to incorporate reggae, ska, funk, jazz, soul and hip hop. Passion is a Fashion draws on over 70 interviews with the key participants in the story ? roadies, producers, friends and fans - and above all conversations with the band members themselves, to give the first real insight into what went on behind the scenes during the Clash?s ten-year career. With a superb sense of place, from the streets of south London and the grimy bedsits of Notting Hill to the dislocated luxury of Los Angeles, it charts the Clash?s picaresque progress through the penurious days of the early punk scene and their groundbreaking Rock Against Racism gigs, to the arduous touring to break America and the making of the classic London Calling album, all the way to the band? s eventual dissolution and the untimely death of Joe Strummer. The book sheds new and unexpected light on the early lives of the Clash?s classic line-up - Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon - and examines the complex tensions that led to the dramatic ousting of first drummer Headon and then founder-member Jones. It also examines the often-overlooked contribution of the band?s extraordinary, larger-than-life manager, Bernard Rhodes ? one of the great rock band impresarios of all time. Gritty, independent-minded, compelling and above all authoritative, Passion Is A Fashion is the biography the Clash have long deserved.

About this title

About the Author

Pat Gilbert was editor of Mojo until 2003, and continues to write major features for the magazine as a contributing editor. This is his first book.

Review

"A page-turning look at a band that blended fierce leftist politics with an eye for fashion." -- Rock Pile, November 2005

"Fills in [the Clash's] roots with admirable clarity...Gilbert not only does the Clash proud, he does them justice." -- Village Voice7/5/05

"Gilbert breaks some new ground while providing a detailed history of the legendary band from inception to dissolution." -- Idaho Statesman, 12/25/05

"Portrays beautifully the fine art of falling apart ...Likely to last while weightier tomes languish in dustbins." -- East Bay Express 7/27/05

"Rare and wonderful...[Gilbert] digs deep to tell the story of punk rock's most potent, powerful and political band." -- Eonline.com7/12/05

"The definitive biography of the band ...Entertaining and insightful...A must for die-hard Clash fans...and all those fascinated by pop culture." -- Curled Up with a Good Book 7/25/05

"This is a heartbreaking and heartening story of punks growing up and growing old, the real story indeed. Essential." -- Library Journal, starred review 5/1/05

"[Gilbert's] grasp of that band goes far beyond stale stuff...A model for all band bios." -- Illinois Entertainer, December 2005

"[Gilbert] weaves a blow-by-blow narrative rich in color and loaded with trivia." -- Harp Magazine June, 2005

"[Told] lucidly and readably, at a brisk, even pace...plenty of new information...research-wise Gilbert has done some serious legwork." -- Boston Globe5/29/05

About this edition

• Publisher: Aurum Press Ltd
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1845131134
• ISBN 13: 9781845131135
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416