List of the Clash band members
The Clash were an English punk rock band formed in 1976 initially consisting of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, guitar), Mick Jones (lead vocals, lead guitar), Paul Simonon (bass guitar), Keith Levene (guitar) and Terry Chimes (drums and percussion). Levene was dismissed in September 1976 and went on to form Public Image Ltd. Terry Chimes performed intermittently as drummer for the first year of the band's existence, playing on the debut album. Topper Headon was recruited in May 1977 as the band's permanent drummer, forming the classic Clash line-up which would remain together until 1982.
Headon was dismissed in May 1982 due to drug addiction problems and Chimes returned in Headon's place. Headon had often acted as a mediating force between the two strong personalities in the band, Strummer and Jones, and in his absence the band began to disintegrate. In May 1983 Chimes left once more and was replaced by Pete Howard. In September 1983, Mick Jones was dismissed due to continued conflict and infighting. Vince White and Nick Sheppard were recruited by band manager Bernard Rhodes as guitarists to replace the departing Jones. The recording of their final album Cut the Crap was chaotic and there was little chemistry between the new group members and the remaining core of the band. Strummer left before it was completed, leaving the final mixes to Rhodes. After a short tour in support of the album in January 1985, the band went on hiatus, which became permanent when the band officially dissolved in 1986.
Band members
Classic line-up (May 1977 – May 1982)
| Images | Name | Time active | Main instruments | Occasional instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Strummer | May 1976–1986 (died 2002) |
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|
all Clash releases | |
| Paul Simonon | May 1976–1986 |
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|
all Clash releases except Cut the Crap (1985) | |
| Mick Jones | May 1976–September 1983 |
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| Topper Headon | May 1977–May 1982 |
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Other members
| Image | Name | Time active | Main Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Chimes |
|
drums |
| |
| Keith Levene | May–September 1976 (died 2022) | lead and rhythm guitar | None | |
| Rob Harper | December 1976–January 1977 | drums | ||
| Pete Howard | May 1983–1986 | Cut the Crap (1985) | ||
| Vince White | 1983–1986 | rhythm and lead guitar | ||
| Nick Sheppard |
|
Session members or groups
| Image | Name | Time active | Main Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Lanier | 1978 | piano | Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978) | |
| Stan Bronstein | saxophone | |||
| Bob Andrews | keyboards | |||
| Mickey Gallagher | 1979–1980 |
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| |
|
1979 | horns | London Calling (1979) | |
| Tymon Dogg | 1980–1982 |
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| |
| Norman Watt-Roy |
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bass guitar |
| |
| J.P. Nicholson | 1980 | Sandinista! (1980) | ||
| Davey Payne | saxophone | |||
| Gary Barnacle | 1980–1982 |
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| Arthur Edward Barnacle | 1980 | trumpet | Sandinista! (1980) | |
| Rick Gascoigne | trombone | |||
| Lew Lewis | harmonica | |||
| Ellen Foley | 1980–1982 | vocals |
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| Mikey Dread | 1980 |
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| Band Sgt. Dave Yates | Sandinista! (1980) | |||
| Den Hegarty | ||||
| Luke & Ben Gallagher | ||||
| Maria Gallagher | ||||
| Ivan Julian | guitar | |||
| Noel "Tempo" Bailey | ||||
| Anthony Nelson Steelie | keyboards | |||
| Style Scott | drums | |||
| Jody Linscott | percussion | |||
| Allen Ginsberg | 1981–1982 | vocals | Combat Rock (1982) | |
| Futura 2000 | ||||
| Kosmo Vinyl | ||||
| Joe Ely | backing vocals | |||
| Tommy Mandel | keyboards | |||
| Hermann Weindorf | 1985 | Cut the Crap (1985) | ||
| Michael Fayne |
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Timeline
Line-ups
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| May–September 1976 |
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None |
| September–November 1976 |
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| December 1976–January 1977 |
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| February–May 1977 |
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May 1977 – May 1982
(Classic lineup) |
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| May 1982 – May 1983 |
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| May 1983–September 1983 |
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none – live shows only |
| 1983–1986 |
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