Death Interrupts Life Once More

Keith Levene, the founding guitarist of the Clash & Public Image Ltd., has died. He was 65.

 

Levene had liver cancer. He died at home in Norfolk, UK.

He co-founded the Clash in 1976 with guitarist Mick Jones & bassist Paul Simonon when he was only 18. It was Levene, alongside the band's manager, Bernard Rhodes, who asked Joe Strummer, frontman with the 101ers at the time, to join the Clash.

Levene, who was born Julian Levene in Muswell Hill, north London, remained in the Clash long enough to appear in early gigs & to contribute to songs, including "What's My Name" on their 1977 debut album. But he grew apart from the Clash's increasingly political direction.

When the Sex Pistols disbanded in January 1978, singer John Lydon & Levene formed the new band with bass player Jah Wobble. 

"John made a wise choice getting Keith," Wobble said in 2012.

The best condolence I've seen came from Andy Bell of Ride:

"RIP Keith Levene - a guitar tone like ground up diamonds fired at you through a high pressure hose"

You can find contributions from Levene elsewhere on this mess, just search if you want.

R.I.P.,
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