Timeline The Clash: London Calling

The Clash: London Calling 18

• 1976 The Clash formed in London Strummer, Jones and Simonon Joe Strummer leaves the 101ers to join Mick Jones and Paul Simonon.
• 1976 The Clash play their first gig Sheffield Supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan in Sheffield.
• 1977 The Clash sign with CBS Major label A signing that angers punk purists.
• 1977 The Clash release White Riot First single Their debut single.
• 1977 Topper Headon joins The Clash Drummer The classic line-up is complete.
• 1977 The Clash debut album released Punk rock arrives The Clash released their self-titled debut album on April 8, 1977, one of the defining albums of the punk rock movement alongside the Sex Pistols.
• 1978 The Clash play Rock Against Racism Victoria Park A huge anti-racist concert in east London.
• 1978 The Clash release Give 'Em Enough Rope Second album Produced by Sandy Pearlman to break America.
• 1979 The Clash release London Calling Double album A double album sold for the price of one, often voted the best of its decade.
• 1980 The Clash release Sandinista! Triple album Thirty-six tracks of dub, rap, jazz and gospel.
• 1981 The Clash play Bond's Casino New York residency Fire marshals cut ticket numbers, so the band plays 17 shows.
• 1982 The Clash release Combat Rock Rock the Casbah Their biggest seller, with Should I Stay or Should I Go.
• 1982 The Clash open for The Who at Shea Stadium Arena support A stadium support slot on The Who's farewell tour.
• 1983 The Clash fire Mick Jones Guitarist out Jones goes on to form Big Audio Dynamite.
• 1986 The Clash break up After Cut the Crap The band ends after a disowned final album.
• 1991 The Clash top the UK charts with Should I Stay or Should I Go Levi's ad A jeans commercial gives them their only UK number one.
• 2002 The Clash's Joe Strummer dies Aged 50 Dies of an undiagnosed heart defect.
• 2003 The Clash inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inducted months after Strummer's death.