27. Coma Girl by Joe Strummer 2003

When The Clash played Melbourne in February 1982 I wasn't particularly interested after the meandering Sandinista. I liked half of Combat Rock. After seeing them in 79 in their prime I didn't bother this time. So I went to bed early. Around 11pm I get a phone call from my mate Jim. "Come down to the Jump Club for the Clash after gig party" I only lived round the corner so I was there in a flash. Before the Clash got there. When Joe came in and grabbed a beer Jim dragged me over and introduced me to Joe. He told Joe I was in a band. Then Joe and I sat on the Jump Club stage and he proceeded to give me advice about bands for the next 15 minutes. He had such a passion for music and really cared for fans of the band. And boy could he talk. At the end he said "What do you do in the band?" "Play guitar and sing" ..and he gives me a plectrum.
The death of Joe on December 22nd 2002 was  a shock.
Coma Girl was released after his death on the album "Streetcore" and his a song equal to anything to he had done with the Clash. It easily fits alongside his earlier material. It tells a story with joy and the lyrics reflect what we know of Joe and his radio shows and his Glastonbury bonfires. In fact the album is great. It would have been fantastic to see him play these songs on stage.