Born John Graham Mellor (08/21/1952 – 12/22/2002), Joe Strummer was the primary lyricist and vocalist of The Clash as well as the rhythm guitarist. Born in Ankara, Turkey to a member of the British Foreign Service, Strummer spent time in Egypt, Germany and Mexico before he (at age nine) and his older brother David were sent back to England to attend the City of London Freemen's School.