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the 'shows' generated some excitement
BUSKING TOUR...Joe and Paul took the boys on an impromptu busking tour - playing publicly and outside venues acoustically... the 'shows' generated some excitement about the forthcoming album... They all hitched from London by the M1 and agreed to meet up in the pub near Nottingham Railway Station. The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 226
From Passion Is a Fashion
The Real Story of The Clash by Pat Gilbert (2004), p 352-3:
In May 1985, [Clash manager] Bernie Rhodes, [manager] Kosmo [Vinyl] and Joe [Strummer] devised the Clash’s last hurrah—a busking tour of Britain. The idea was that the group would assemble at [guitarist] Vince’s flat, leave their wallets on the table and hitch to Nottingham with a few acoustic guitars. They’d then see where the wind would take them. Over the next two-and-a-half weeks, Britain’s provincial towns and cities were thus treated to the extraordinary sight of The Clash popping up under railway bridges and in subways to entertain them with Monkees, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Cramps songs.
The group kipped on fans’ floors and in cheap B&Bs. They survived on the money thrown into their hats. It was a genuinely exiting and unpredictable experience. Joe described it as ‘the best tour we ever did.’
Paul [Simonon] agrees. ‘It was like starting out fresh again,’ he says. ‘It was great. “We’ll meet you in Glasgow in a week’s time,” and the idea was to leave everything behind other than the guitars. You couldn’t take any money with you. We survived by our wits. It was as exciting as the Anarchy tour, you never knew where you were going next. I remember we were in Leeds, it was 2 a.m., and it was outside this black club, and people were coming out and really digging us. There were two white guys and they were shocked it was us. They said, “Where you staying?” And we said, “We’re not staying anywhere,” so they invited us to stay at their mum’s. The money we made from busking meant we could go further, we didn’t have a plan of where to go next. There was no rules. You didn’t have to be on the so-and-so plane at twelve o’clock.’
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Roll Up Punk Band The Clash in York
York press -
c10 May 1985
Punks march Minster
York press - c10 May 1985
Clash in York? Now pigs fly
York press - c10 May 1985
City Rockers
York press -
c10 May 1985
Chart-toppers Clash busk in city square
York press - c10 May 1985
Carefree and trouble-free as fans of superstars jam the city centre
York press - c10 May 1985
York press - c10 May 1985
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Remember when The Clash came busking in York
York Press -
13th December 2020
13 comments
4 photos at foot pf page
On May 9, 1985, the rockers surprised onlookers and delighted fans by busking in King's Square! They also paraded down Petergate, and as our pictures from our archive show - they were all in black leather, with plenty of swagger!
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By Maxine Gordon
MaxineYGordon
Who remembers the day The Clash came to busk in York?
On May 9, 1985, the rockers surprised onlookers and delighted fans by busking in King's Square!
They also paraded down Petergate, and as our pictures from our archive show - they were all in black leather, with plenty of swagger!
Former Press employee Kate Neighbour remembers seeing them.
She recalls: "They walked up the street, and there were all these people standing around watching them," she says. "Eventually the police came and moved everybody on."
Legend has it that The Clash's impromptu gig in York was part of their 'busking tour' of 1985. They were chasing a band called The Alarm around the north of England, busking wherever The Alarm were playing. Why? Because they didn't like them - so the theory goes!
In a letter to The Press, in 2015, Stuart Heron, of Kyme Street, York, recalls the day vividly.
"I was lucky enough to see The Clash busk outside York Minster and busk in King’s Square the following day.
"In the days before social media, I got a call from my friend Andrew Ellis on the evening of May 8 that The Clash were going to be performing outside the Minster in two hours' time. He had found out about this from his fellow students at York Art College.
"When we arrived at the front of the Minster there were a couple of hundred people, most of which were students from the art college. The band arrived 20 minutes later and played a couple of songs before the police arrived and promptly tried to move the band on, whereupon The Clash started singing “I fought the law and the law won” accompanied by the drummer using the Minster door as his drums.
The Clash then moved on and had a few drinks in the nearby pub, The Hole in The Wall, accompanied by me and my friend, among others.
The following day I was working in town and heard The Clash were going to be busking in King's Square. The square was packed and again the band sounded great, this time the police did not try to move them on.
All in all a memorable 24 hours which I can’t believe was 30 years ago."
Do you remember their visit. If so please share your memories and photos via the Send Now button below.
And if you like sharing old stories about York click here to join our new nostalgia group Why We Love Memories, York.
Did The Clash really once use York Minster's door as a drum?
York News
26 February 2017
4 Photos
11 Comments
May 8 and 9, 1985, are remembered fondly by hundreds of York's music fans.
There had been no official announcement, but on the afternoon of May 8, word spread that punk legends The Clash were to perform live in the city that evening, outside York Minster.
May 8 and 9, 1985, are remembered fondly by hundreds of York's music fans.
There had been no official announcement, but on the afternoon of May 8, word spread that punk legends The Clash were to perform live in the city that evening, outside York Minster.
It wasn't a complete bolt from the blue. The band had embarked on a busking tour of the UK, playing jam sessions on street corners, small pubs, student union cafes and the like.
The tour had started in Nottingham, then continued to Leeds. Suddenly, it was York's turn.
The four photos above capture the band and the crowds.
In 2015, 30 years on from the gig, we asked Press readers for their memories, and the appeal drew this fascinating first-hand account from fan Stuart Heron:
Stuart Heron:
I WAS lucky enough to see The Clash busk outside York Minster and busk in King’s Square the following day.
In the days before social media, I got a call from my friend Andrew Ellis on the evening of May 8 that The Clash were going to be performing outside the Minster in two hours time. He had found out about this from his fellow students at York Art College.
When we arrived at the front of the Minster there were a couple of hundred people, most of which were students from the art college. The band arrived 20 minutes later and played a couple of songs before the police arrived and promptly tried to move the band on, whereupon The Clash started singing “I fought the law and the law won” accompanied by the drummer using the Minster door as his drums.
The Clash then moved on and had a few drinks in the nearby pub, The Hole in The Wall, accompanied by me and my friend, among others.
The following day I was working in town and heard The Clash were going to be busking in Kings Square. The square was packed and again the band sounded great, this time the police did not try to move them on.
All in all a memorable 24 hours which I can’t believe was 30 years ago.
Comments beneath the article
Mark Cranfield: Acually, It was The York Arms that the band went to, managed to grab a beer with Joe.
traceysimpsonlaing: They also went to The Roxy. I was working there and along with other staff we had to go in via the fire escape as there were hundreds waiting to get in as The Clash had said they we're going.
The comment about The York Arms is correct....counting the busking money. They were busking as they didn't have a record deal and came to York as one of the band members had a friend who drank at The York Arms. Also played on old St John's car park. Still have a few photos. Great few days.
MAMAJET: I was in the york arms when I heard all the commotion outside and went to have a look. When they finished there was a mad rush for the door, bit tight in there after that.
Also remember scoring some free passes for the 'alarm' when I saw them in the riverside. They played at York uni.
Yeahbutno: Remember it well, huge crowd of people following them around York - saw them on the car park which is now St John's Uni. Sadly this was the late-era Clash without Mick Jones or Topper Headon, but still a unique and fantastic experience.
Mr Standing: I'm sure I saw them busk on Clarence Street, on the old car park that's now that uni building, opposite the coach park. I'm sure that's where we saw them, anyone else confirm that? Edit, read posts before posting :)
Yeahbutno: Yes, you're right, they also played in Kings Square that same afternoon.
sc417p: I definitely was the Arms as I was there and remember is well.
Do you remember the day The Clash came to town?
York Press - 13 May 2019
6 Photos (at the foot of page)
9 comments
WELL, here's one for any ageing punk-rockers out there. Do you remember the day The Clash came to town?
It was May 9, 1985, according to this brilliant sequence of photographs we have dug out of our archive.
They didn't play a proper gig here. But Joe Strummer and co did busk in King's Square, to the delight of onlookers. They also paraded down Petergate, all black leathers and attitude.
Kate Neighbour was studying fashion at college at the time, and managed to get away in time to see them. "They walked up the street, and there were all these people standing around watching them," she says. "Eventually the police came and moved everybody on."
But what on Earth were The Clash doing wandering around York and busking in King's Square?
Press arts editor Charles Hutchinson has a theory.
It was the famous 'busking tour' of 1985, he says. The Clash were chasing a band called The Alarm around the north of England, busking wherever The Alarm were playing. Why? Because they didn't like them, Charles says - they thought the Alarm were trying to rip off The Clash's sound.
The Alarm were appearing in Leeds, apparently - so Charles thinks The Clash probably went over there after stopping off in York.
Does anyone else remember the day? We'd love to hear from you if you do...
Let's face it, no other photos we can dig out of the archives today are going to have as much energy as the pictures of The Clash in their heyday. But we've done out best.
So, to finish off with, we have a photo of York trying to be all cool and continental in 1970, when magistrates briefly allowed drinks to be served at tables outside the Theatre Royal: and a photo from 1983, showing two schoolboys from York Minster Song School desperately trying to knock each-other off a greasy pole at their garden fete in front of the Minster. We wonder if they were Clash fans?
Stephen Lewis
---
It was May 9, 1985, according to this brilliant sequence of photographs we have dug out of our archive.
They didn't play a proper gig here. But Joe Strummer and co did busk in King's Square, to the delight of onlookers. They also paraded down Petergate, all black leathers and attitude.
Comments beneath the article
Woody G Mellor / 13th May 2019
I was there the night they played outside the Minster. I remember it like it was yesterday.
After they played the last song everyone piled into the York Arms.
Strangely I saw Joe walking past the war memorial, alone. He was a bit drunk. I was the only one that spotted him. So I went after him to tell him where everyone else had gone. He put his arm around me (not sure if it was for support) and he said "c'mon then." He never let go of me, even when signing autographs etc, if he had let go of me there was no way I would of got through the pub door it was that packed.
He gave me his address that night. At the time he lived in Holland Park. I visited a few times, but never once dared knock on the door! But we did meet a few times after that night, at gigs and stuff. He even sent me a 21st birthday card!
St Sampson Square 12noon
No known audio or video
Photo
Joe with fans sampson Square, York
traceysimpsonlaing - 26th February 2017
Also played on old St John's car park. Still have a few photos. Great few days.
Emma Reagan - 2013
(remember it well) ... And St Johns car park, fantastic !!!
Jess Clark
I was a there, it was amazing, and the minster, york arms and st johns, fab memories :)))))))))))))
Rachel - @rachelcdavies - 27 Mar 2011 - @marick
saw The Clash play live when they did a busking tour and played in the car park behind my house in York.
Jam down Petersgate 9.00pm
No known audio or video
Photos
York Minster 9.30pm
No known audio or video
Played three songs including I Fought the Law before being moved on by the Police.
Moved on by the police
BBC Radio 6 Music - @BBC6Music - 6 Jan 2012 -
The law won :( RT @SistaLou : #buskerheroes My fella saw The Clash busking outside York Minster in early 80s. they got moved on by the fuzz!
BBC Radio 6 Music - @BBC6Music - 6 Jan 2012
The law won :( RT
@SistaLou
My fella saw The Clash busking outside York Minster in early 80s. they got moved on by the fuzz!
... so they played 'Police on My Back'
David Hall
When they were busking outside the Minster the police stopped them and Joe Strummer said they would play one more song and leave ......the police said ok and the Clash then played 'Police on my back' with 200 kids on backing vocals.
they played the last song, then everyone piled into the York Arms
Woody G Mellor - 13th May 2019
I was there the night they played outside the Minster. I remember it like it was yesterday. After they played the last song everyone piled into the York Arms. Strangely I saw Joe walking past the war memorial, alone. He was a bit drunk. I was the only one that spotted him. So I went after him to tell him where everyone else had gone. He put his arm around me (not sure if it was for support) and he said "c'mon then."
He never let go of me, even when signing autographs etc, if he had let go of me there was no way I would of got through the pub door it was that packed. He gave me his address that night.
They stayed in the guest rooms in The York Arms
Niall A. Duthie
I saw them earlier that month in York. They stayed in the guest rooms in my local, The York Arms, and played a storming acoustic set in front of the Minster ( Cathedral ) until the polis intervened. Happy days!
Graeme Hopson
i remember leaving work early to see them in the york arms. I remember getting out of work (carriage works)to see them,someone wrote about going into the hole in the wall pub,it wasn't,it was the york arms,the only time ive ever been in there.
Glenn Smith
They had to hide in the York Arms because of the crowds.
Rebecca Goodrich
I took, loads of pics [photos] of the Clash all round York and the Roxy :) those were the days x -
Neal Bambridge - nealbambridge[at]hotmail.com>
I also heard that they stayed in York the night of 8th and played at a nightclub for someones birthday and that their parents were pissed off as they passed the hat around! But maybe this was in Leeds not York. But they stayed in York definately that night at one of my college friends house!
On the 9th they played about 3 songs outside York Minster before being moved on by the police.
They also went to The Roxy.
traceysimpsonlaing - 26th February 2017
They also went to The Roxy. I was working there and along with other staff we had to go in via the fire escape as there were hundreds waiting to get in as The Clash had said they we're going.
The comment about The York Arms is correct....counting the busking money. They were busking as they didn't have a record deal and came to York as one of the band members had a friend who drank at The York Arms.
Also played on old St John's car park. Still have a few photos. Great few days.
"They walked up the street, and there were all these people standing around watching them
Former Press employee Kate Neighbour remembers seeing them.
She recalls: "They walked up the street, and there were all these people standing around watching them," she says. "Eventually the police came and moved everybody on." Legend has it that The Clash's impromptu gig in York was part of their 'busking tour' of 1985. They were chasing a band called The Alarm around the north of England, busking wherever The Alarm were playing. Why? Because they didn't like them - so the theory goes!
played a couple of songs before the police arrived and promptly tried to move the band on ...
In a letter to The Press, in 2015, Stuart Heron, of Kyme Street, York, recalls the day vividly.
"I was lucky enough to see The Clash busk outside York Minster and busk in King’s Square the following day. "
In the days before social media, I got a call from my friend Andrew Ellis on the evening of May 8 that The Clash were going to be performing outside the Minster in two hours' time. He had found out about this from his fellow students at York Art College. "When we arrived at the front of the Minster there were a couple of hundred people, most of which were students from the art college.
The band arrived 20 minutes later and played a couple of songs before the police arrived and promptly tried to move the band on, whereupon The Clash started singing “I fought the law and the law won” accompanied by the drummer using the Minster door as his drums.
The Clash then moved on and had a few drinks in the nearby pub, The Hole in The Wall, accompanied by me and my friend, among others.
The following day I was working in town and heard The Clash were going to be busking in King's Square. The square was packed and again the band sounded great, this time the police did not try to move them on.
Photo - The Clash at York minster
Photos
Joe Strummer in York on the 1985 busking tour by photographer Peter Byrne. Peter says "It was published in the NME & kick-started
my photography career."
Unknown Busking Photos
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No known audio or video
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Busking Tour1985
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Reagan, Thatcher, and the Last Stand of a Band That Mattered By Mark Andersen, Ralph Heibutzki
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Features archival footage and new interviews to tell the story of the band's final days. The four primary members of the band - Jones, Joe Strummer, Paul Simonen and Topper Headon tell their sides of the story as do Nick Sheppard and Vince White, both of whom replaced Jones, and original drummer Terry Chimes, who returned to replace Headon in 1982.
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