My wife is a Springsteen fan and I am a Strummer/Clash fan. Neither of us share the other’s passion. I have always said that The Boss is the American Joe Strummer. Does anyone else share this opinion or am I on my own?
Joe Strummer: "Bruce is great. If you don't agree you're a pretentious martian from Venus. His music is great on a dark, rainy morning in England, just when you need some spirit and some proof that the big wide world exists."
Bruce was gonna dep for Joe when they got the "Hall of fame" gig, until Mick and Paul thought better of it. I can't honestly think of anyone else who could have done it justice, but I think they were right not to.
The same in the sense that Bruce covered London Calling. Two completely different kinds of musicians. Strummer always reminded me more of a punk John Lennon.
I believe James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers used pretty much that term to describe Bruce. I'm too lazy to look up the quote now though. And I understand that Bruce was more or less left out of attacks from the punk cohort, thanks to Darkness On The Edge Of Town. It might not be punk music, soundwise, but it's plugged into the struggles of ordinary life in the way that punk was, while the big 60s bands no longer were at that point.
Big fan of both, more The Clash than Springsteen. While they have their similarities i would never describe Springsteen as the american Strummer, or vice versa.
It’s the wife talking now... I’m not saying either is better than the other simply they are two completely different styles whereas he says they’re similar. Can I point out that Strummer became the poor mans Shane McGowan, I just can’t see this in Springsteen... love him or hate him he isn’t that style!
Other than they both play(ed) a Tele, not much in common IMO. Lyrical content, musical approach all very different. Maybe work ethic is similar.
