Soundwaves presents Front Row, a curated selection of awesome live shows presented in their entirety. Hey, don’t blame us if you don’t get anything done for the rest of the day!
The US Festival was a brief shining run of mega-concerts during the early 80s, and the scene of many legendary moments.
One of the most indelible was an occurrence that most people had no idea was even happening in front of them. The Clash has just released their biggest hit album Combat Rock, and had scored radio hits with “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah.”
But since that had happened, drummer Topper Headon was kicked out of the group for drug abuse in 1982, and Mick Jones and Joe Strummer were barely speaking. They would have just drifted apart were it not for a $500,000 offer from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to headline New Wave Day.
It was not exactly the smoothest transaction. Rolling Stone recalled the eventful date and the drama that happened behind-the-scenes, and also pointed out that the performance itself was “sloppy.” But as rock finales go, and in typical Clash fashion, it’s an angry middle finger to the corporate gods and a loving snapshot of what made the band so awesome in the first place!
1:05 London Calling
3:35 Somebody Got Murdered
8:45 Rock The Casbah
10:37 Guns Of Brixton
13:48 Know Your Rights
17:34 Koka Kola
19:17 Hate & War
21:40 Armagideon Time
27:50 The Sound Of Sinners
31:29 Safe European Home
34:47 Police On My Back
36:27 Brand New Cadillac
39:30 I Fought The Law
42:22 I’m So Bored With The USA
44:43 Train In Vain (Stand By Me)
48:27 The Magnificent Seven
56:10 Straight To Hell
1:03:00 Should I Stay Or Should I Go
1:06:02 Clampdown
