Happy Birthday, Joe Strummer

Originally, I wasn’t going to put up a post about it being Joe Strummer’s birthday. That’s kinda what Facebook is for these days. But then I stumbled upon the two photos below (neither of which I’d spied before), and they were both so thematically suited to Flaming Pablum (however indefinable that might seem), that I thought I should share them.

First up, check out this lovely shot of our Joseph lounging by a hydrant. This was taken circa 1983 by one Dave Hogan. Anybody care to name the corner? I’ll be gobsmacked if you can. I’m going to guess my own neighborhood and say it’s just by the corner of East 9th and University Place, in front of what is now that Korean deli, but I’m very probably wrong.

Next up is one I just randomly spotted on Tumblr, and given that it’s captioned in the lower right hand corner, it looks to have come from a British music periodical like Q or Mojo. In any case, here’s Mr. Strummer – again in NYC, supposedly circa 1978. Eagle-eyed NYC-spotters will notice that Joe appears to be standing in front of Carmine Street’s House of Oldies, an age-old vinyl emporium I left off of my recent vanished-record-store-rundown as it’s unbelievably still there!

Speaking of things Strummer-related that, sadly like Joe himself, are not still there, the memorial mural of Joe that long-adorned the north-facing wall of Niagra’s bar overlooking Tompkins Square Park was blasted away earlier this week, but it is purportedly to be restored at some point “by artists” (as opposed to who? Ocelots? Plumbers? The Illuminati?) In any event, that’s a bit of good news. Herewith my former tribute to the beloved mural.

Lastly, instead closing with a Clash video, herewith Joe’s finest hour (in my opinion) as a thesbian, playing Johnny the despondent British ex-pat and rockabilly aficionado in Jim Jarmusch’s “Mystery Train.” Check your guns at the bar & raise a glass to Joe!

Comments

[David Marin]

I’m starting to believe the fire hydrant photo (and others from the Dave Hogan series) is from the Gramercy Park Hotel. There’s a Rolling Stone article on the place and in it is one of Hogan’s Strummer photos and it seems he and the Clash were frequent guests. I also found an older GPH photo where you can see small awnings over the windows. Awnings are clearly visible in the fire hydrant photo. And although the front has changed with renovations and Google street view is mostly blocked I DO see a fire hydrant out front.

[David Marin]

Also, the House Of Oldies photo, I think we agree now, is from the ORIGINAL House of Oldies location at 267 Bleecker St. TheBandWasHere posted a different version of the photo last week on IG and in it the 267 street address is clearly visible.