London Calling

It seemed as if I had my finger on the radio dial in my car forever last night until, thankfully, I happened upon the late, great Joe Strummer's wonderful BBC radio show, London Calling, on KALW 91.7 FM. The ex-Clash frontman's radio show, which showcased music from all over the world, aired for several series before the musician died very prematurely of heart failure in 2002 at the tender age of 50. Last night, Strummer's show offered sweet relief from the barrage of Dave Matthews-like schlock and watered-down jazzmatazz that was coming at me across the radio waves.

I'm glad to have something new to tune in to regularly as I drive back across the Bay Bridge on a Tuesday evening after singing. The only other radio show I listen to with any regularity is The Thistle and Shamrock, a beautiful showcase of Celtic music hosted by the inimitable Fiona Ritchie.

Here's a great piece about Strummer from the BBC website, written in 2000 upon the launch of the third series of London Calling.