Museum of London is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Clash’s London Calling with a new exhibition.
Titled “The Clash: London Calling,” the exhibition feature more than 100 personal items from the band’s archive, many never-before-seen, giving “new insight into their recording process and the making of London Calling.”
“London Calling is The Clash’s defining album, a rallying call for Londoners and people around the world,” said Beatrice Behlen, senior curator of fashion and decorative arts at the Museum of London. “The album’s lyrics reflected contemporary concerns, many of which are still relevant today, as it moved away from traditional punk by adopting and reworking much wider musical influences. At the Museum of London, we tell the stories of our capital through the objects and memories of the people who have lived here. This display will provide a brand new, exciting and vibrant take on this, showcasing rarely seen personal objects and telling the incredible story of how London Calling was, and for many still is, the sound of a generation.”
The items include bassist Paul Simonon’s Fender guitar, which he destroyed in 1979 for the photograph on the cover of the band’s third album, Joe Strummer’s notebook, and typewriter, Mick Jones’ handwritten album sequencing note and drummer Topper Headon’s drumsticks.
The exhibition opens on November 15.
