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One of the most iconic punk bands of a generation, the Clash have been called "the only band that matters." They formed in 1976 and were active until 1986, and their music has had influence in a wide variety of genres that reaches far beyond the punk scene in London where they initially started.

 The core energy of the Clash came from the band's chemistry between its four most longstanding members: Joe Strummer (vocals), Mick Jones (guitar), Paul Simonon (bass), and Topper Headon (drums). They played their first gig together as the Clash opening for the Sex Pistols in the summer of 1976, followed by touring with the Sex Pistols on their Anarchy in the U.K. Tour. Following the tour, the Clash were signed by British label CBS records with a reported $200,000 advance. Their debut album debuted at number 12 on the British charts, but Columbia considered the album too risque to release in America.

 The Clash's most well-known album, London Calling (1979) was a huge triumph for the band. Produced by Guy Stevens, it was an incredible collection of songs that pulled from reggae, rockabilly, ska, and punk, and touched on subjects of social displacement, unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and coming into adulthood. Described by many as a "post-punk" album, London Calling was declared the best album of the 1980s by Rolling Stone magazine.

 In 2004, the Clash was ranked number 28 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The Clash, along with bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones helped to define punk music, and London Calling remains one of the most influential rock albums to this day.

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