An exhaustive biography of Clash guitarist Joe Strummer — who died in 2002 at the age of 50 — will hit shelves this May. Written by music journalist and Strummer pal Chris Salewicz, who covered the Clash’s career and English punk movement, Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer offers an in-depth look at Strummer’s life through exclusive interviews with his family, friends and musical contemporaries. According to a publisher’s press release, Salewicz “argues for Strummer’s place in a long line of protest singers that includes Woody Guthrie, John Lennon, and Bob Marley,” and “examines Strummer’s and punk’s ongoing cultural influence.”

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On SPIN.com:
Review: Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros, Streetcore
Cleveland Calling: Clash Get Exhibited at Rock Hall

On the Web:
strummersite.com