23 January, 2013

By VIVA Team

Gone, but not forgotten: Joe Strummer's legacy lives on in Granada

Sadly departed in 2002, legendary British punk rocker and Clash frontman Joe Strummer is to be honoured for his love of Andalucía – and the beautiful city of Granada in particular – by having a square named after him.

A concerted Facebook campaign saw more than 2,000 Granada residents sign a petition for Joe Strummer to be officially recognised and honoured. City hall officials quickly acquiesced, and so a square in the city is set to be renamed as Plaza de Joe Strummer.

The punk rocker was a huge fan of southern Spain, and even wrote a song about the Spanish Civil War for The Clash’s seminal album London Calling in 1979. As a vocal political activist as well as a throaty vocalist, Strummer developed a huge following among Socialists throughout Europe.

In the ‘70s, his profile in Spain went stratospheric when he first visited Granada with his Spanish girlfriend and fellow musician, Paloma Romero. Strummer even lent his musical expertise to local Granada band 091, taking them to Madrid to produce an album.

Members of Granada’s Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) threw their weight behind the Facebook campaign to have the city honour Strummer, stating that he “embodied the atmosphere of youth, rebellion, night and rock… he carried the name of Granada for the entire world.”

Speaking to the BBC, Granada City Councillor Daniel Galan said: “The initiative came from a neighbourhood association, backed by some political parties and was approved.

“It was a popular movement. It is very well known the connection between Joe and the city, and people still remember him.

“Joe Strummer loved Granada; he loved the whole of Spain but he had a very good connection with Granada.”

Strummer – real name John Graham Mellor – died suddenly from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect in December 2002. His death shocked the music world and led to a number of immediate tribute concerts throughout Europe and North America.

His legacy lives on in film, music and now – thanks to those passionate Andalusians so beloved of Strummer – in the stunning heart of Granada.