Clash City Rockers

I discovered the Clash when I was about my son's age, thanks to London Calling. From the opening track of London Calling, to the hidden Train in Vain it is one of the best, most consistently brilliant albums ever.
My love affair with Strummer & Co continues to this day. After London Calling, I was compelled to listen to more and find out more about the most important band in the world.
This was in the days before the internet so I hunted down fanzines. I was not disappointed by the previous or subsequent efforts.
To this day, certain songs by the Clash provide me with a jolt of energy or a power surge when I'm working out. Pressure Drop (yes it's a cover but it beats the Specials version hands down ) forces me through an extra few minutes on the treadmill.
Death or Glory from London Calling is another song that keeps me going. I start my runs usually with the Magnificent Seven off Sandanista! The irony is, the album Combat Rock brought them to the mainstream and it's my least favorite.
In their songs, the bands referenced historical events, politics and various types of music. My natural curiosity led me to learn more about what they sang about (to me that made them different from other bands of that-or any-era). I may not have always agreed with their political leanings, but I'm grateful for having heard both sides of the story. Just as you can't detach religion from U2, it's the same with politics and the Clash.
As a preteen, I read both Marx & Nietzsche because they were name checked in a song. I became well versed in the conflict over oil (a never ending issue) that Rock the Casbah was really about. If you want to know what band raised my political awareness first, it was the Clash. They made me, as a kid, take an interest in it, care and know I could make a difference. All these years later I'm still rocking out to the band and acting as an agitator and instigator.
The other constant: my Clash t shirt. It still hangs proudly in my closet. I wear it from time to time, which isn't bad for a shirt that's 30 years old. It's a little threadbare, but has weathered time well. It saw a lot of shows in Salt Lake City, Sunday matinees at CBGB's and later at City Gardens and the Troc in Philly. My sister wore it proudly and now my it will be available for my son to show off his excellent taste in music. He loves LMFAO & Lady GaGa but he also loves the Clash, Replacements & Weezer. I'm teaching him well!
And it all began with one song...