A record company guy referred to The Clash as “The Only Band That Matters” following the release of the tour de force double album London Calling in December of 1979. We think it’s a moment in rock ‘n roll history to truly celebrate. So celebrate we will. Join us on Friday December 6 at Théâtre Corona as we throw a 40th Anniversary party to salute an album that continues to mean so much to so many music fans and musicians because of its powerful mix of rock and roll, punk, reggae, ska, rockabilly, soul, pop and even jazz combined with lyrics of true grit and beauty that catapulted Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon to rock royalty. No other album released in 1979 came close to matching the all-around musical chops displayed by The Clash across 65 minutes of London Calling.
Billy Bob Productions, in association with 77 Montréal have turned to well over 40 musicians to perform the album in its entirety while also acknowledging other classic Clash songs that predated and followed London Calling. But that’s not all. We’ve kind of carved out a special place on the Montreal music scene for producing long, joyous nights of live music with a purpose and a message. Once again, as we did for The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary and the Southern Soul and Rock & Roll Revue, we’ll be presenting the show in two separate acts with a long enough intermission to stretch your legs with a walk around Little Burgundy before settling back in for the second half.
There would be no London Calling to celebrate without the initial, early wave of punk, which, in reality, is closer sonically to what later became known as Classic Rock, albeit with a lot more edge and spontaneity (the Velvet Underground, MC5, Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Sex Pistols, Ramones, Patti Smith, Blondie et al). Don’t miss what will be an incredible one-night only trip back to 1979 and what we’ve dubbed #MontrealCalling with so many terrific local performers including a rare appearance by the original members of the ASEXUALS led by lead singer JOHN KASTNER (who later fronted yet another iconic 80s Montreal band – the Doughboys) plus house band leader SHANE MURPHY, PAUL CARGNELLO The NILS, THREE O’CLOCK TRAIN, SLAVES ON DOPE, MOUNTAIN DUST and so many others including an indie super group trio featuring Grammy nominated drummer and producer HOWARD BILERMAN of hotel2tango w/ DAN BOECKNER of WOLF PARADE & TIM KINGSBURY of ARCADE FIRE. Plus, ANDREA RAMOLO heads back this way from Toronto. THE MAHONES will be there too. And then there are our American friends – JESSE MALIN from the epicentre of the punk scene in NYC – The Lower East Side, along with the great ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO from Texas who “has blended the lyricism of Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne with the raw power of the Stooges and the Velvet Underground” (Rolling Stone) and TOMMY STINSON of THE REPLACEMENTS who were merely the most influential alternative rock band in America through the 1980s. Tommy and his old band mates will eventually be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Are we done? Hell no. We’ll introduce you to CLAMPDOWN, an all-female super group featuring members of GOLDFISH, NO POLICY, CAVEBOY & LESBIANS on ECSTASY. Plus K-MAN & THE 45s (Where Ska meets Rock and Roll) who just headlined the Montreal Ska Festival. Even more guests will soon be announced. There will be surprises too!
This is a one-time only event that will begin at 7:30 SHARP and run until they throw us out at midnight. Don’t wait for the holiday season to get your tickets. There is a 1/2 price special for students only (limited number available) Tickets at Bell Centre box office or Corona Theatre box office at 2490 Notre Dame W. Phone 514-790-2525 or from outside of Montreal 1-855-310-2525 or www.theatrecorona.ca and www.77montreal.com
Thank you for supporting local artists and Billy Bob Productions #77Montreal #TheClash #LondonCalling40
