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)
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • piano
  • lead guitar
  • bass
  • harmonica
  • keyboards
all Clash releases
Paul Simonon May 1976–1986
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar
all Clash releases except Cut the Crap (1985)
Mick Jones May 1976–September 1983
  • lead guitar
  • keyboards
  • lead and backing vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • harmonica
  • piano
  • bass
Topper Headon May 1977–May 1982
  • drums
  • percussion
  • bass
  • piano
  • lead and backing vocals

Other members

Image Name Time active Main Instruments Release contributions
Terry Chimes
  • May–November 1976
  • February–May 1977
  • May 1982 – May 1983
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
  • lead and rhythm guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals

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
  • organ
  • keyboards
  • synthesizers
The Irish Horns
  • Ray Bevis – tenor saxophone
  • John Earle – tenor and baritone saxophone
  • Chris Gower – trombone
  • Dick Hanson –
    • trumpet
    • flugelhorn
1979 horns London Calling (1979)
Tymon Dogg 1980–1982
  • vocals
  • violin
  • keyboards
  • piano
Norman Watt-Roy
  • 1980
  • 1985
bass guitar
J.P. Nicholson 1980 Sandinista! (1980)
Davey Payne saxophone
Gary Barnacle 1980–1982
Arthur Edward Barnacle 1980 trumpet Sandinista! (1980)
Rick Gascoigne trombone
Lew Lewis harmonica
Ellen Foley 1980–1982 vocals
  • Sandinista! (1980)
  • Combat Rock (1982)
Mikey Dread 1980
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
  • drum machine
  • vocals

Timeline

Line-ups

Period Members Releases
May–September 1976 None
September–November 1976
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
December 1976–January 1977
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Rob Harper – drums
February–May 1977
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
May 1977 – May 1982
(Classic lineup)
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Topper Headon – drums, percussion, vocals
May 1982 – May 1983
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Terry Chimes – drums
May 1983–September 1983
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
  • Mick Jones – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Pete Howard – drums
none – live shows only
1983–1986
  • Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Nick Sheppard – lead guitar, vocals
  • Vince White – rhythm and lead guitar
  • Paul Simonon – bass, vocals
  • Pete Howard – drums

References

See also