This page lists all known Clash gigs from 1980 with info. If you have any corrections please email blackmarketclash





...16 Tons and what do I get / Another day older and deeper in debt... (Tennessee Ernie Ford).

The Clash had not toured the UK since the end of 78 (partly because of CBS debt) and they were at the height of their popularity in Britain. London Calling, single and album were high in the charts and venues sold out fast. Punk had taken off in a big way with spikey haired punk rockers contrasting with The Clash’s new slicker retro rocker, greased back look.

The Tour, the support acts, a new album

Clash favourites, the great Toots & The Maytals sadly cancelled at the last minute resulting in a last minute search for replacements. Ian Dury & The Blockheads stepped in to repay the favour paid to them by The Clash supporting them at the Kampuchea Benefit. Prince Hammer and Lew Lewis also stepped in, the latter providing harmonica at Aylesbury and elsewhere in 1980. Mikey Dread, of Dread At The Controls fame would appear later and have a huge influence on the sound Bankrobber and Sandinista. Mikey has said recently that he is angry that he has not received the royalties since that his imput merited.

The Clash touring party was still swelled by the likes of Robin Crocker and Kris Needs (whose band played support at Aylesbury) and Mo Armstrong (over from San Francisco with FSLN bandanas and first news of the Sandinista’s. Baker and Johnny were still there but now there was catering and merchandising, organised by Blackhill who were still the management. Barry “Scratchy” Myers still DJ’ed and Tennessee Ernie Ford’s classic, 16Tons became the first Clash stage “fanfare”, the song’s lyric of obvious appeal to The Clash, not least because of their huge debt to CBS. Dreadlocked (at least via his hat) Ray Jordan became a new fixture in the Clash camp, able to defuse any potentially violent situation before it blew up.

For a collection of other printed material, interviews fanzines, magazine, tour clippings etc..


Extensive archive of articles and magazines from around the tour period

Video and audio





16 Tons Tour, UK, Paris

Jan 5 UK ITV TV - TISWAS 2nd Tiswas Appearance
Jan 5 Aylesbury - Friars
Punk & It Aftershocks Video has a better sound. It may also come from 1980 TV documentary "Rock: Ready for the 80´s. 7min
Jan 6 Canterbury – Odeon
Jan 8 Brighton – Top Rank
Jan 9 Brighton – Top Rank
Jan 11 Bath – Pavillion
Jan 12 Taunton – Odeon
Jan 13 Bristol – Locarno
South West swing cancelled
Jan 11 Crawley – Leisure Centre
Jan 12 Hastings – Pavilion
Jan 14 Ipswich – Gaumont
Jan 16 Leicester – De Montfort Hall
Jan 18 Dundee – Caird Hall
Jan 18 BBCTV "Nationwide"
Posted by Edda In Reply to: Nationwide & The Last Testament live footage. I think the live footage in those two videos is from the two Edinburgh gigs from Jan 19/20th 1980 , and not from the 18th Dundee gig . Last 30 secs Londons Burning in nationwide clip does sound a lot like the Londons burning from 20th.It also looks like Joe's wearing the same clothes in the van ( nationwide interview) and the soundcheck pictures from the 20th.
cheers
Jan 19 Edinburgh – Odeon
Jan 20 Edinburgh – Odeon
Jan 21 Glasgow – Apollo
Jan 22 Glasgow – Apollo
Jan 23 Lancaster – University
A Riot of Our Own p227 - See Blackpool Gazette
Jan 24 Blackpool – Tiffany’s
A Riot of Our Own p227 - See Blackpool Gazette
Jan 25 Blackburn – King Georges
Jan 26 Queensferry – Deeside Leisure Centre
Jan 27 Sheffield – Top Rank
Jan 29 Bradford – St. Georges
Jan 30 Bridlington – Royal Spa
Jan 31 Leeds – University
Feb 1 Stoke – Victoria Hall, Hanley
Feb 1 Recording Bankrobber
February 1st and 2nd
Studio - Pluto Studio
Bankrobber-Shepard’s Delight
Broadway

Line Up: Joe Strummer – vocals, guitar, Mick Jones – guitar, Paul Simonon – bass, Topper Headon – drums, Mickey Gallagher – piano, Mikey Dread – vocals, percussion. Producer Mikey Dread. Source – Complete Clash, London Calling 40th Anniversary notebook (for “Broadway” inclusion)
Feb 2 Manchester – Rafters secret gig [Did this take place?]
Feb 3 Manchester – Apollo
Feb 4 Manchester – Apollo
Feb 5 Birmingham – Top Rank
Feb 6 Birmingham – Top Rank
Feb 7 Coventry – Tiffany’s
Feb 9 Portsmouth – Guild Hall
Feb 10 Poole – Wessex Hall
Feb 11 Cardiff – Sophia Gardens
Feb 12 Bournemouth – Stateside
Feb 13 Southampton – Top Rank,
Feb 15 London – Electric Ballroom
Feb 16 London – Electric Ballroom
Feb 17 London – Lyceum
Feb 18 London – Lewisham Odeon
Feb 20 Stoke – Victoria Hall, Hanley
Feb 22 London – Liberty Theatre, Balham
Feb 23 London – Mile End Liberty Theatre
Feb 25 Bristol – Colston Hall
Feb 27 Paris – Le Palace







16 Tons Tour, US dates ...Less than 5 months after the last US tour The Clash were back in the USA for a short tour, a blitz of 9 gigs in 10 days in key cities. This reflects acceptance by the band that if they were to be able to break free of the CBS debt shackles they must break the huge American market. Indeed there was no complaint when the unrepresentative but commercial Train In Vain was released as a single in the US on February 12th.


Extensive archive of articles and magazines from the US leg of the 16 Tons Tour period

Video and audio from the 16 Tons Tour period





16 Tons Tour USA

Mar 1 San Francisco CA – The Fox, Warfield
Mar 2 San Francisco CA – The Fox, Warfield
Mar 3 Santa Monica CA – Civic Theatre
Mar 4 Santa Monica CA – Civic Theatre
Mar 6 Philadelphia PA – Tower Theatre
Mar 7 New York NY – Palladium
USTV report: Lifetimes - snippets of live footage, interviews. 20mins
Mar 8 Passaic NJ – Capitol Theater
Mar 9 Boston MA – Orpheum Theater
1 track - source unknown dubbed with soundboard audio
Mar 10 Detroit MI – Motor City Roller Rink
hand held footage - 5 tracks
Mar Recording Junco Partner
Mid-March, Studio – Channel One (Kingston)
Junco Partner
Line Up: Joe Strummer – vocals, piano, Mick Jones – guitar, Paul Simonon – bass, Style Scott – drums (source: Pat Gilbert, Sept 2020 Mojo magazine) Mikey Dread – vocals, percussion. Producer Mikey Dread. Source – Passion Is a Fashion (page 270)
Mar Recording Police on My Back + ...
Late March/Early April Studio – Power Station (New York)
Police On My Back
Louie Louie
Madness (Prince Buster)
(unreleased/no bootleg)
Line Up: Joe Strummer – vocals, guitar, Mick Jones – vocals, guitar, bass (though Strummer interview claims Paul played it later “at Wessex”). Topper Headon – drums, Producer Mikey Dread. Source – Passion Is a Fashion (page 274)
Apr 7 Recording Sandinista
April 7-April 20
Studio – Electric Lady (New York)
The Call Up
The Magnificent Seven
Lightning Strikes
Every Little Bit Hurts
Lose This Skin
Stop the World (backing track)
Ivan Meets GI Joe
Look Here
Hitsville UK
Charlie Don’t Surf

Line Up: Joe Strummer – vocals, piano, Mick Jones – guitar, vocals, Topper Headon – drums, Ivan Julian – guitar on “The Call Up”. Mickey Gallagher – piano, organ Tymon Dogg - Violin and vocals on “Lose This Skin, violin on “Lightning Strikes”, Norman Watt-Roy - bass, Producer Mikey Dread, Source – Passion Is a Fashion (page 273), Clash on Broadway, Clash FAQ (page 244)
Apr 25 Los Angeles ABC-TV "Fridays"
Apr 25 Los Angeles
According to the 16 Tons gig poster there was a gig in LA.
Apr 27 Hollywood CA – Roxy Theatre,







16 Tons Tour returns to Europe ...


Extensive archive of articles and magazines from the European leg of the 16 Tons Tour

Video and audio from the European leg of the 16 Tons Tour





16 Tons Tour UK & Europe

May 4 TrondheimTrondheim Spektrum
May 5 Oslo – Chateau Neuf
May 6 Skien - venue unknown
Cancelled scandianavian dates. Press release stated, "the Clash are in Jamaica recording".
May 12 Hamburg – Markthalle
May 13 BerlinNeue Welt, Hasenheide Park
cancelled dates due to Toppers injury - moved to later
May 14 Munich – Schwabingerbrau
May 15 Vienna – Oberlaa
May 17 Wiesbaden – Wartburg
May 18 Dusseldorf – Philipshalle
May 19 Hamburg – Messehalle
May 21 Oslo – Chateau Neuf
May 22 Lund – Olypen
May 23 Stockholm – Eriksdalsballen
May 24 Gothenburgh – The Scandinavium
May 26 Cambrai
May 27 Paris – Palais de Sports
May 28 Strasbourg – Hall Tivoli
May 29 Lyon – Palais D'Hiver
May 30 Nice – Theatre De Verdure
Jun 1 Bologna – Piazza Maggiore
Italian TV 20mins mixture of part tracks and interviews
The recording is from the Italian TV show MIXER. The popular journalist Gianni Minà interviewed the Clash.
Full gig TV Broadcast wanted
Jun 3 Torino – Parco Ruffini
Jun 5 BerlinNeue Welt, Hasenheide Park
The concert on May 13th at the Metropole (as listed) was moved to the "Neue Welt" in the Hasenheide Park (Berlin) – Juergen
Jun 9 Derby – Assembly Rooms
Jun 10 Bristol – Colston Hall
Jun 11 Bristol – Colston Hall
Jun 12 Newcastle – Mayfair,
Jun 12 Stoke – Victoria Hall, Hanley
Jun 14 Lorraine, France – Rettel Festival
Jun 16 London – Hammersmith Palais
Jun 17 London – Hammersmith Palais
Jun 18 Stoke – Victoria Hall, Hanley
Jun 21 Reykjavik – Laugardalshöllin Sports Hall
Unknown - Magnificent 7
- unknown venue - supposedly shot as video for single (release date 24 April 1981)





In the studio

July Recording Spirit of St. Louis tracks
Late July Studio - Wessex
Spirit of St. Louis tracks
Line Up: Joe Strummer – guitar, Mick Jones – guitar, vocals, John Turnbull - guitar, Paul Simonon – bass, Norman Watt-Roy - bass, Topper Headon – drums, Davey Payne - saxophone. Ellen Foley – lead vocals, Tymon Dogg - violin. Source – Passion Is a Fashion (page 278), discogs.com
Aug 8 Bankrobber 7" single released
Aug 23 Toronto - Heatwave Festival, Mosport Park
Aug Recording Spirit of St. Louis tracks
Mid-Late Summer Studio - Wessex
Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too
Line Up: Pearl - vocals/percussion, Nigel Dixon (Whirlwind) - guitar/vocals, Steve Neu (New) (Rich Kids) - guitar, Mick Jones - guitar, Wilko Johnson (Dr. Feelgood) - guitar, Paul Simonon - bass, Barry Payne - bass, Topper Headon - drums, Steve Goulding - drums, Otis Watkins - piano/vocals, Gary Barnacle - sax, B.J. Cole - pedal steel guitar. Engineer - Jeremy (Jerry) green. Producer - Mickey Gallagher. Source discogs.com
Aug Recording Sandinista
Mid August – Mid September Studio – Wessex
Crooked Beat
Living In Fame
One More Time
If Music Could Talk
The Equaliser
Corner Soul
One More Dub
Version Pardner
Somebody Got Murdered
Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)
Kingston Advice
Sound of Sinners
Ivan Meets GI Joe
Stop the World (vocals)
Something About England
Rebel Waltz
Washington Bullets

Line Up: Joe Strummer – vocals, guitar, Mick Jones – guitar, vocals, Paul Simonon – bass, vocals, Topper Headon – drums, lead vocals on “Ivan Meets GI Joe”, backing vocals on “Sound of Sinners”, Mikey Dread – vocals on “Living In Fame”, Ellen Foley – backing vocals on “Corner Soul”. Tymon Dogg - violin on “Equaliser”, “Mensforth Hill’, and “Something About England”, keyboards on “Sound of Sinners”, Den Hegarty – vocals on “Sound of Sinners”. Gary Barnacle, Bill Barnacle, David Yates - horns on “Something About England”. Producer – Mikey Dread. Engineer – Bill Price, Jeremy Green. Source – Passion Is a Fashion (page 278-279), Clash on Broadway, Clash FAQ (page 237)










In the studio

Oct Blackmarketclash 10" US released
Nov 8 The Call Up 7" single released
1980 BBCR1 Radio Interview ....
Duncan Gibbons 11mins
1980 UK Radio Hallam [Notts] Interview ....
47mins - 2 seperate interviews
1980 BRMB Radio Interview 18mins ....
Dec 12 Sandinista 3x triple album released



Jun 76 - Black Swan , five piece ....

Sept 76 - 100 Club, London gigs ....

Dec 76 - Anarchy Tour ....

Jan / Mar - Early 77 Gigs ....

May 77 - White Riot UK Tour ....

Jul 77 - European Dates ....

Oct 77 - Out of Control UK Tour ....

Jan 78 - Sandy Pearlman UK Dates ....

Apr 78 - UK Festival Dates ....

Jul 78 - Out on Parole UK Tour ....

Oct 78 - Sort it Out UK Tour ....

Feb 79 - Pearl Harbour US Tour ....

Jul 79 - Finland + UK dates ....

Sep 79 - Take the Fifth US Tour ....

Dec 79 - Acklam Hall Secret Gigs ....

Jan 80 - 16 Tons UK Tour ....

Mar 80- 16 Tons US Tour ....

May 80 - 16 Tons UK/Europe ....

May 81 - Impossible Mission Tour ....

Jun 81 - Bonds Residency NY ....

Sep 81 - Mogador Paris Residency ....

Oct 81 - Radio Clash UK Tour ....

Oct 81 - London Lyceum Residency ....

Jan 82 - Japan Tour ....

Feb 82 - Australian Tour ....

Feb 82 - Hong Long & Thai gigs ....

May 82 - Lochem Festival ....

May 82 - Combat Rock US Tour ....

July 82 - Casbah Club UK Tour ....

Aug 82 - Combat Rock US Tour ....

Oct 82 - Supporting The Who ....

Nov 82 - Bob Marley Festival ....

May 83 - US Festival + gigs ....

Jan 84 - West Coast dates ....

Feb 84 - Out of Control Europe ....

Mar 84 - Out of Control UK ....

April 84 - Out of Control US Tour ....

Sep 84 - Italian Festival dates ....

Dec 84 - Miners Benefit Gigs ....

May 85 - Busking Tour ....

Jun- Aug 85 - Festival dates ....

Sept 85 - European Tour ....

Jan 86 - Far East Tour ....

1986 onwards - Retrospective

74-76 - Joe with the 101ers ....

Jul 88 - Green Wedge UK Tour

Aug 88 - Rock the Rich UK Tour ....

Oct 89 - Earthquake Weather UK ....

Oct 89 - Earthquake Weather Euro ....

Nov 89 - Earthquake Weather US ....

Jun 99 - Comeback Festival dates ....

July 99 - Short US Tour ....

July 99 - UK Tour ....

Aug 99 - Festival Dates ....

Oct 99 - UK Tour ....

Nov 99 - Full US Tour ....

Dec 99 - European Xmas dates ....

Jan 00 - Australasian Tour ....

May 00 - Mini UK Tour ....

Nov 00 - supporting The Who Tour ....

Jul 01 - UK & US Instore Tour ....

Oct 01 - Full US Tour ....

Nov 01 - Japanese Tour ....

Nov 01 - Full UK Tour ....

April 02 - Brooklyn NY Residency ....

Jun 02 - UK Festivals ....

Jul 02 - Hootenanny Tour ....

Aug 02 - UK Festival Dates ....

Sep 02 - Japanesse Dates ....

Nov 02 - Bringing it all Back Home ....

Audio exists and circulates
Audio exists but is not in circulation
No known Audio
Audio (radio) interview
Soundcheck
Video exists and circulates
Video exists but is not in circulation
No known Video
Gig cancelled
Never took place / bogus date
Unoffical release
Offical release
Clash pages only - Rated 0-5 for iTunes.
How real the sound feels re: the sound you'd hear in the concert hall.
to Rated 0.5 to 5 for sound (for iTunes)
Unknown generation
Master source
Low generation (better)
High generation (copied too much)
Soundboard
FM