THE CLASH: LONDON CALLING. MUSEUM OF LONDON.

An exclusive, free display celebrating a truly London album that became one of the most influential of all time.

Go behind the scenes on the making of The Clash’s groundbreaking London Calling – an album that rocked the music scene, serving as an anthem for London, Londoners and music lovers globally.

To honour this truly London anniversary, the Museum of London will showcase personal objects, images, music and memories from the band's history - some never seen before - in a free display.

London Calling was and is a hugely compelling melting pot of musical styles, driven by a passion for action and a fierce desire for social justice. The album’s music and lyrics remain as relevant today as they were on release.

As well as showcasing the influences and context to the writing and recording of the seminal double album, this new exclusive display at the Museum of London examines how the capital influenced The Clash as they became the most popular British band of the 20th century.

To reflect the band’s diverse range of political, emotional and musical interests, a broad range of items from their personal archive can be seen in the display, including:

Paul Simonon’s broken Fender Precision Bass, smashed on stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21st September 1979

Mick Jones’ handwritten album sequencing note

Joe Strummer’s notebook from the period when the album ‘London Calling’ was rehearsed and recorded

Joe Strummer’s typewriter used to document ideas, lyrics and other writings

To coincide with the opening of the display Sony Music have released the London Calling Scrapbook - a 120-page hardback companion which comes with the album and contains hand-written lyrics, notes, photos and previously unseen material from the period when the record was made.

The Clash: London Calling was co-curated and delivered by the Museum of London in partnership with The Clash and Robert Gordon McHarg III.

https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london/whats-on/exhibitions/london-calling-40-years-clash