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The Clash are my all-time favorite band and their frontman, Joe Strummer, is a hero of mine for his music, lyrics, wit, compassion for the underdog, and stance against injustice. Joe’s widow Lucinda approached me about creating an image of Joe to help raise funds for The Joe Strummer Foundation, the charity set up to honor and fulfill Joe’s belief that music can inspire and empower. The Joe Strummer Foundation provides opportunities for musicians around the globe. I was incredibly honored that Lucinda asked me to be involved, and I was moved when she shared her opinion that Joe and I have similar philosophies. -Shepard
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Don’t forget to check our partnership with The Joe Strummer Foundation for OBEY Awareness.
The Joe Strummer Foundation was established in honor of his memory a year after his passing. The goal was to provide opportunities and support projects around the world that create empowerment through music . The foundation is focused on 3 major objectives:
1. The prevention or relief of poverty, particularly of young people, anywhere in the world by providing: grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or charities, or other organizations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
2. To promote, improve, develop and maintain the education of the public in the art, culture and science of music in all its aspects for the public benefit, in particular young musicians, including by the provision of funds for the purchase of musical instruments and studio rehearsal.
3. To promote, improve and advance the arts, including music, for the public benefit including by the presentation of exhibitions, public events and concerts.
To support the Joe Strummer Foundation, we created the Joe Strummer Tees, which feature artwork created in collaboration with photographer Kate Simon, who shot the first Clash cover. Kate has created many iconic photographs that have defined the subject and are a part of modern popular culture. The Clash on the cover of the debut album, Debbie Harry on the roof of her apartment, Bob Marley by the pool, David Bowie in the studio, Led Zeppelin rehearsing, The Sex Pistols fighting, Miles Davis contemplating, Patti Smith on a rocking horse, all captured in a singular timeless style. Intimate portraits of artists and writers from William Burroughs to Andy Warhol, Robert Rauchshenberg to WH Auden, recent sittings by Dennis Hopper, Iggy Pop and new work as a contributing editor to Interview Magazine continue to expand Kate’s unique archive. Kate’s photography has appeared on countless book jackets, record covers and in publications around the world, and is displayed in museums and galleries in Europe, the US and in many private photographic collections.
As with all OBEY Awareness projects, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Joe Strummer Tee will go to The Joe Strummer Foundation. Click the photo to see the tees and make a difference.
