The Clash
Vancouver was in a unique position. For European bands, mainly the English it provided a cheap gateway to North America, inexpensive charter flights and it was a relaxing city to spend a few days to get over jet-lag and perform a warm-up concert before the North American debut in Los Angeles just a few hours away. The arrival of The Clash was just one example. It was their first foray across the pond and they weren’t sure what to expect. I spent a couple of days hanging out with them before the warm-up show looking for photo-ops. One day while walking behind the now defunct Woodward’s department store there was a gun shop. Knowing the impending gun charge for discharging a hand gun in the general direction of some ones show pigeons back in London I hit on the idea of a group portrait in front of a full gun rack. Everyone thought it was a great idea. Luckily the record rep was nowhere around and in we went. The redneck shopkeepers took one look at us and spent no time getting us out of the store and nowhere near any of their coveted gun racks. Shit this could have been a Rolling Stone photo for me. I was really pissed when the next months Rolling Stone had a photo of The Clash posing in front of a gun rack at a Los Angeles gun store. They got their L.A. photographer to get the picture at a much more accommodating store. In L.A. everyone is welcome in a gun store.
The above photo is from the Commodore concert. At least this one was sold out.
I’ve included a B&W that I took showing some of the crowd.
I especially like the kid sitting cross legged on the stage. He doesn’t look old enough to get in the club. (The Commodore served alcohol so it was 18 years and up) What a musical experience for him.
I wonder where he is now?
