Tributes paid to Joe Strummer on 20th anniversary of death: ‘Never forgotten’

Tributes have flooded in for punk icon Joe Strummer on the 20th anniversary of his death.

The late frontman of The Clash, considered one of punk’s most influential figures, died of a heart attack at his Somerset home on December 22 2002.

Now, 20 years to the day since his passing, musical figures including Strummer’s own musical contemporaries have reflected on his death and paid tribute to his lasting musical legacy.

A video was shared on his own Twitter account with the caption ‘Remembering Joe’, which showed his own advice on the importance of treating people properly. “I’ve learnt how to keep the vibe going. Don’t get miserable,” he remarks in the clip.

A photo posted on the social media accounts of The Pogues, meanwhile, encouraged fans to “raise a glass” to the late singer.

You can check out a wide array of tributes below.

While Strummer was known for his hugely influential work with The Clash, including albums such as 1979’s London Calling, he went on to achieve success with The Mescaleros, his follow-up band.

In September, Dark Horse Records released Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’, which marked the first time a comprehensive anthology of the band’s work has been issued.

The collection features remastered versions of the band’s three studio albums – Rock Art And The X-Ray Style (1999), Global A Go-Go (2001) and Streetcore (2003), the latter released posthumously.

Strummer’s widow, Lucinda Tait, served as executive producer for ‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’.

“There’s so much great music that Joe left us in his archive,” Tait said.

“To focus on Joe’s work with The Mescaleros was the natural second step on ‘002’ because those songs he made with them just seemed to resonate so strongly and reinvigorated his connection with his audience at a level he hadn’t experienced since his days with The Clash.”

Earlier this year, The Clash also announced a re-release of their seminal 1982 album Combat Rock.