THE CLASH: LONDON CALLING AT THE MUSEUM OF LONDON

November 19, 2019

For a short time only, The Museum of London has showcased an exhibition celebrating The Clash’s album ‘London Calling’. On its opening day, we went down to take a look.

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There was something fitting about walking to the Museum of London for their latest exhibition. The surrounding streets are home to the firms and banks which have powered London to become a global economic hub. Yet as the revelry began after work, City workers streamed past the original flint and brick walls which marked the boundaries of the old Roman town; London’s past and present vividly aligned together on a rainy Friday night. 

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The Museum of London’s exhibition ‘London Calling’ is a tribute to another moment of historical and cultural influence in the capital city. The Clash’s 1979 iconic album ‘London Calling’ is loved as one of the greatest records ever made. Emerging from the 1970s punk movement, ‘London Calling’ blends blues, reggae and funk; showing off the sounds being played in an increasingly multicultural city. Importantly for the time, the album was an outlet for London’s youth who felt trapped by unemployment and discrimination in a decaying and stagnant city.  

The Clash before their New Year’s Day gig at The Roxy, 1977

It wasn’t hard to spot the ‘London Calling’ exhibition when walking into the Museum. A crowd, decked out in brilliant tartan and leather, faced an enlarged photo of the famous album cover, showing bassist Paul Simonon wrecking his guitar on stage in New York. The very same shattered fendor lay of full display in front of this; revered as if it was an idol by passing punters in hushed tones. 

The danger of these exhibitions is that they are just that. Simply putting trinkets on display such as band members clothing or other unimportant items will only be of interest to hardened fans of the band. However, ‘London Calling’ exhibition goes further, explaining the context why this album was important for The Clash and London during the late seventies. 

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The exhibition showed London to be a grey wasteland. Although having come off the back of a successful US tour, The Clash chose to write and record ‘London Calling’ in a grotty, converted mechanics in Pimlico, frequenting the same pubs and places they’d always done. During the exhibition you can listen to interviews with the kids who went to The Clash’s gigs. One boy replied he liked the band because they remained local saying “The Clash are the only ones that’s staying in”. (London) 

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Both interactive and interesting, the ‘London Calling’ exhibition is worth a visit for any fan of British rock n roll. Although only small, the exhibition aptly describes the mood of rebellion and anger amongst the city’s unemployed youth which permeates across The Clash’s album ‘London Calling’. 

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Taking five minutes to walk from The Barbican station on the Metropolitan Line, The Museum of London is easy to reach. Leave enough time to grab a pint at a nearby pub like The Sutton Arms afterwards, and give ‘London Calling’ a listen once again. 

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Need to get to The Museum of London?- http://bit.ly/331agwv