Joe on TOTP's

Joe Strummer discussion forum. Latino Rockabilly War, Mescaleros and more!
white man
User avatar
Graffiti Bandit Pioneer
Posts: 1855
Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 6:12pm
Location: Penshaw Manor

Joe on TOTP's

Post by white man »

Came across this in last months VLR. I've checked the Levellers two appearances and it doesn't look like Joe. Anyone know different??
IMG_20230501_154803.jpg

Low Down Low
Unknown Immortal
Posts: 4922
Joined: 21 Aug 2014, 9:08am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Low Down Low »

Interesting story, was not aware of it. Definitely not Joe on the totp appearances but seems he might actually have been the one who plays the piano solo on the single, at least according to a couple of accounts i checked anyway.

Marky Dread
User avatar
Messiah of the Milk Bar
Posts: 58889
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Marky Dread »

It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

APACHES67
Bang Ice Geezer
Posts: 153
Joined: 18 Apr 2022, 8:51am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by APACHES67 »

Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Infact is known The Clash hated the playback and so hated TOTPs

white man
User avatar
Graffiti Bandit Pioneer
Posts: 1855
Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 6:12pm
Location: Penshaw Manor

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by white man »

Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
No, it definitely says he guest appeared on TOTP's with The Levellers.
Think we can put that one down as an error

white man
User avatar
Graffiti Bandit Pioneer
Posts: 1855
Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 6:12pm
Location: Penshaw Manor

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by white man »

APACHES67 wrote:
02 May 2023, 8:43am
Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Infact is known The Clash hated the playback and so hated TOTPs
And yet both Joe and Mick appeared on the show. Miming.

Marky Dread
User avatar
Messiah of the Milk Bar
Posts: 58889
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Marky Dread »

APACHES67 wrote:
02 May 2023, 8:43am
Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Infact is known The Clash hated the playback and so hated TOTPs
Well they didn't like miming and thought the show was run by tossers and was old hat.

Though it has to be said they still mimed in their promo videos.
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

Heston
User avatar
God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
Posts: 38356
Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 4:07pm
Location: North of Watford Junction

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Heston »

Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 9:38am
APACHES67 wrote:
02 May 2023, 8:43am
Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Infact is known The Clash hated the playback and so hated TOTPs
Well they didn't like miming and thought the show was run by tossers and was old hat.

Though it has to be said they still mimed in their promo videos.
Still their daftest decision ever not going on TOTP imo. And all those videos they made that most people didn't see until 1985 when This Is Video Clash came out.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board

Marky Dread
User avatar
Messiah of the Milk Bar
Posts: 58889
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Marky Dread »

Heston wrote:
02 May 2023, 11:44am
Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 9:38am
APACHES67 wrote:
02 May 2023, 8:43am
Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 6:06am
It depends how you read it. Yes Joe plays that honky tonk piano on the single and yes The Levellers had a hit TOTPs appearance but Joe doesn't appear with them.
Infact is known The Clash hated the playback and so hated TOTPs
Well they didn't like miming and thought the show was run by tossers and was old hat.

Though it has to be said they still mimed in their promo videos.
Still their daftest decision ever not going on TOTP imo. And all those videos they made that most people didn't see until 1985 when This Is Video Clash came out.
Totally agree.
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

motorsmell
User avatar
Junco Partner
Posts: 463
Joined: 08 Sep 2011, 7:59pm

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by motorsmell »

The levellers talk about Joe going down to their studio on the "Curious mind" documentary. I've not watched it for a while but I think Joe didn't actually do much playing on the track, I do remember Jez from the Lev's saying it was very awkward as Joe said he couldn't really play piano and "What the fuck I'm I doing here?"

Low Down Low
Unknown Immortal
Posts: 4922
Joined: 21 Aug 2014, 9:08am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Low Down Low »

According to this link Joe didn't, in fact, end up on the finished track which seems a shame, if true, but not a huge shock either tbh.

https://www.isthismusic.com/the-levellers

Heston
User avatar
God of Thunder...and Rock 'n Roll
Posts: 38356
Joined: 15 Jun 2008, 4:07pm
Location: North of Watford Junction

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Heston »

Why invite Joe to play piano? Apart from his "pianner" credit on LC did he have any reputation for tinkling the ivories? Strange.
There's a tiny, tiny hopeful part of me that says you guys are running a Kaufmanesque long con on the board

Marky Dread
User avatar
Messiah of the Milk Bar
Posts: 58889
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Marky Dread »

Low Down Low wrote:
02 May 2023, 12:40pm
According to this link Joe didn't, in fact, end up on the finished track which seems a shame, if true, but not a huge shock either tbh.

https://www.isthismusic.com/the-levellers
I wonder if Joe knew he had been removed from the track. And if the band didn't want to upset Joe by telling him as Joe is definitely listed of the artwork.
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

Low Down Low
Unknown Immortal
Posts: 4922
Joined: 21 Aug 2014, 9:08am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Low Down Low »

Marky Dread wrote:
02 May 2023, 12:49pm
Low Down Low wrote:
02 May 2023, 12:40pm
According to this link Joe didn't, in fact, end up on the finished track which seems a shame, if true, but not a huge shock either tbh.

https://www.isthismusic.com/the-levellers
I wonder if Joe knew he had been removed from the track. And if the band didn't want to upset Joe by telling him as Joe is definitely listed of the artwork.
It says in that piece that the band members weren't aware of it themselves until that documentary film was made so I'd guess not. Sounds like the producer just going on a solo run himself.

Marky Dread
User avatar
Messiah of the Milk Bar
Posts: 58889
Joined: 17 Jun 2008, 11:26am

Re: Joe on TOTP's

Post by Marky Dread »

Heston wrote:
02 May 2023, 12:46pm
Why invite Joe to play piano? Apart from his "pianner" credit on LC did he have any reputation for tinkling the ivories? Strange.
Rude Boy movie says he did. No Reason is just Joe and the old joanna.

At the Beaconsfield sessions Joe can be heard fooling around on the ivories also.

But yeah hardly liberace.
Image

Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty


We're the flowers in the dustbin...
No fuchsias for you.

"Without the common people you're nothing"

Nos Sumus Una Familia

Post Reply