A square in the Spanish city of Granada will be named after Joe Strummer of The Clash.
Although over 10 years have passed since the iconic punk figure’s death, his influence endures. This week, officials approved a petition made on Facebook to honor Strummer with a square in the city. The square will be named Plaza Joe Strummer, quoting city hall spokeswoman, María José Anguita, who stated: “A square has been identified and now the proposal has to be approved by the committee of honours and distinctions. There was a popular petition for this to happen and the city hall accepted it.”
Strummer references Granada in The Clash’s song ‘Spanish Bombs’ and first visited the city in 1983, following the departure of guitarist Mick Jones. During his stay, the frontman worked on producing an album for the Spanish band 091, whom he had met while sharing a squat in London with his Spanish girlfriend, Paloma Romero of The Slits. Strummer invested his own money into the album’s recording and was eager to collaborate with the smaller band after their introduction.
In his home country, the legacy of Joe Strummer continues through an annual music festival held in Somerset. Last year’s Strummer of Love event featured performances by artists like Seasick Steve, Emmy The Great, The Pogues, and Frank Turner.
Reports from late last year indicate that Strummer will be the focus of a new musical biopic. Previously, the Clash frontman has inspired films, such as Julien Temple’s 2007 documentary Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten and Don Letts’ recent film Strummerville.
Joe Strummer passed away in 2002 at the age of 50 due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.
by Wallace McTavish
