Joe Strummer 10

It's hard to believe at times. Just how quickly time passes. Faster and faster, leaving us for dust. Enjoy the ride, because we won't escape alive, we aren't getting to a safe place to live forever, unless you know about souls. Oooh, that is an interesting one.

Joe Strummer. I was lucky enough to meet and know the man a little. I don't claim to have known him well, but I also shared a love for Andalucia and I too made acquaintance with a stunning little fishing village in the South coast of Spain, with gorgeous little hidden beaches and sunshine to fill the heart and mind for years. That was where our paths collided. No wonder we both returned so often. It was the summer of '99 and the one the following year too. We chatted, we even had a drink or two together, I served him cool drinks in the warm afternoons at the bar/restaurant I worked at. I even met Bez (yes, Happy Mondays and Black Grape cartoon dancing legend) through him and even my poor memory has a few special memories of Mr. Strummer in that there village.

I can't do it justice. But somehow, already, the tenth anniversary of this great man's death has passed. It was several weeks ago now, but I can't let it pass totally unnoticed. I still remember clearly the day my mother came home on 22nd December, 2002 and told me that Joe had passed on. My heart in my mouth I simply couldn't believe it. I mean, I was going to see him again. Surely. It had only been a question of time. The very time we don't have, or we cannot be certain we have. This man, down-to-earth, humble, a bit crazy (in the best way possible), and full of life and energy and passion was gone. Astonishing. I guess there are lessons everywhere. His popularity seems to only grow, for despite the man he was outside of his profession he was fucking good at what he did. He cared, he bled for his art and he will be remembered as one of the best. He did what was right to him, not the vultures, and he deserves great respect for that. For he made some astonishing music.

When I knew him I had not been a fan of his band (which is not something to be proud of, but may have tempered my excitement to know him a little at that time), and since I have become someone who completely appreciates what he accomplished. Some moods could only be matched with his band's music. Uplifting, life-affirming, ballsy. Put simply, I won't see his physical body ever again, though I dive into the concept of souls. I am happy I met him and shared some moments of that oh-so precious time with him.

Never forgotten, always with us, rest in peace, beautiful Joe.