Reissuing Rebellion: London Calling Returns in 1988 and 1991
London Calling single CD 1988
London Calling album CD 1991
In 1988, The Clash's London Calling was reissued to coincide with the band’s compilation release, The Story of the Clash, Volume 1. This reissue included a special 7" box set featuring the title track, Brand New Cadillac and Rudie Can’t Fail, along with a fold-out poster and promotional badges. The single earned renewed press attention and served as a reminder of the band's explosive legacy. A further reissue followed in 1991 with the album’s first European release on CD, maintaining the original running order and audio mix. This CD release was part of a wider push to digitise The Clash's back catalogue, making it accessible to a new generation of listeners. Additional details on format variations can be found via the Hi-Fi News alternate discography listing.
The striking cover artwork—photographed by Pennie Smith and designed by Ray Lowry—was retained across both reissues. The image of Paul Simonon smashing his bass during a 1979 performance remains one of rock’s most iconic visuals. It famously mimics the typography of Elvis Presley’s 1956 debut album, blending punk’s rage with rock 'n' roll classicism. The reissues reinforced this symbolism, allowing new audiences to experience the album's visual and sonic rebellion as originally intended. The full artwork legacy is explored in detail on the album’s Wikipedia entry.
Clements, Paul. “Singles.” Melody Maker, 30 April 1988, p. 32.
Review – The Clash: London Calling (CBS)
SINGLES, REVIEWED BY PAUL CLEMENTS
THE CLASH, LONDON CALLING (CBS)
A BLAST from the fag-end of an era when you could at least sound sincere and not get dismissed as irrelevant by the post-modernist regiment. Strummer and Jones have long since proven themselves perfectly mortal, so when will the next breed of mortals come along to wipe that snide look off of every brat currently analysing The Flintstones for hidden Dadaist analogies? Perhaps a catalytic rallying cry for a welcome revival of old-fangled honesty, perhaps not. Time always tells.
Thrills, Adrian. “Singles.” New Musical Express, 7 May 1988, p. 14.
Review – The Clash: London Calling (CBS)
Page 14-New Musical Express 7th May, 1988
REVIEWED BY ADRIAN THRILLS
PICTURE: DENIS O'REGAN “Strummerloadsavino!
Singles: THE CLASH: London Calling (CBS)
FOUR! (Out of five)
With their more extravagant claims now a part of history, the myth of The Clash seemed to have been well and truly debunked with the ripples of universal cynicism that greeted the tenth anniversary of punk's first summer. Then came 'Story Of The Clash Volume One', one of the most playable records of the year and a testimony to the lasting appeal of the band at their best.
Distance has enhanced rather than diminished the impact of the Westway Rumble, nowhere any more so than on this taut and pneumatic three-track single which couples the magnificent staccato title track with 'Brand New Cadillac' and 'Rudie Can't Fail'. The pairing of the last gang with '60s legend Guy Stevens resulted in many of the more enduring moments in the Clash City canon, as Strummer's revival of this song on the recent
Adrian Thrills, New Musical Express, Singles: The Clash: London Calling, 7 May 1988, p.14
The Clash: London Calling
With their more extravagant claims now a part of history, the myth of The Clash seemed to have been well and truly debunked with the ripples of universal cynicism that greeted the tenth anniversary of punk's first summer. Then came 'Story Of The Clash Volume One', one of the most playable records of the year and a testimony to the lasting appeal of the band at their best.
Distance has enhanced rather than diminished the impact of the Westway Rumble, nowhere any more so than on this taut and pneumatic three-track single which couples the magnificent staccato title track with 'Brand New Cadillac' and 'Rudie Can't Fail'. The pairing of the last gang with '60s legend Guy Stevens resulted in many of the more enduring moments in the Clash City canon, as Strummer's revival of this song on the recent [...]
