Farewell To Clash Legend

9:02pm UK, Monday December 30, 2002

Family and friends of former Clash frontman Joe Strummer have paid a final farewell to the legendary guitarist and song-writer.

Strummer: legend

Strummer, 50, collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack just days before Christmas.

And as a private crematorium service was held in west London, fans gathered outside in the driving rain to pay their last respects.

Strummer left a widow, Lucy, two daughters, and a step-daughter.

Coffin

They watched as the funeral cortege carrying Strummer's coffin passed what used to be The Elgin pub in Ladbroke Grove, west London, where The Clash played some of their earliest gigs 25 years ago.

Strummer, who was the band's guitarist, singer and, alongside Mick Jones, songwriter, died at his home in Somerset on December 22.

It came a month after he had completed a tour with his latest project, The Mescaleros.

The family asked that instead of floral tributes, money should be paid to the Mandela SOS fund-raising concert, which aims to raise awareness of the Aids epidemic in Africa.

Hits

The rocker had been due to take part in the show, being staged on February 2 on Robben Island, the jail off the South African coast where Mr Mandela was held.

The Clash notched up 16 top 40 hits including Rock The Casbah, Bankrobber and I Fought The Law and their third album, London Calling, was named the greatest album of the 80s by music bible Rolling Stone.