Originally published in NME, 13 August 2011. Written by Mark Beaumont, with contributions from Barry Miles, Caroline Coon, and others.

The gigs, the punch ups, the legacy
The Clash

How the '76 Punk Explosion changed music forever

This feature explores the explosive rise of The Clash during the summer of 1976, charting their early gigs, political stance, and influence on punk culture and beyond. Through interviews and reflections, it reveals how the band’s raw energy, anti-establishment ethos, and commitment to social commentary ignited a musical revolution that still resonates today.

– Introduction to The Clash and the 1976 punk revolution, The Clash's debut gig supporting the Sex Pistols at teh Black swan Sheffield (4 July 1976).

– Meeting the Ramones’ at their first London gig at Dingwalls, The Clash/Sex Pistols/ Buzzcocls at The Screen On The Green (29 August 1976), Keith Levene's departure.

– 1976 NME intervie — anti-racism, anti-fascism, and social justice, how The Clash channelled aggression into art and activism.

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MOJO Magazine, Issue 151, June 2006. "The Punk Files: The Clash & The 1976 Punk Explosion." London: Bauer Media Group.

The Punk Files,
The man who wasn’t there - Joe Strummer

June 2006 - Pat Gilbert

This special edition of MOJO Magazine explores the birth of punk in 1976, focusing on The Clash, the chaos of the era, and how punk reshaped music and culture. Featuring in-depth articles, rare interviews, and retrospectives, it reveals the turbulent stories behind bands like The Sex Pistols, Siouxsie, The Damned, and the complex legacy of Joe Strummer.

The Punk Files– The secret history of the 1976 punk explosion. Page 54
– Kris Needs on The New York Dolls The outrageous tale of punk’s fearless American forebears. Page 58
– Back to Bromley Mark Paytress on the Sex Pistols' suburban fanbase. Page 70
– From Cockney Rebel to Yes. Exploring the unlikely influences behind the punk scene. Page 76
– Joe Strummer: Pat Gilbert uncovers the hidden identities of The Clash's frontman. Page 80
– Pre-Clash Years Rare snapshots and stories from Strummer's early life. Page 83
– How Joe Strummer transformed himself for punk. Page 84
– The Sound of Fury: Kieron Tyler selects the defining tracks of 1976. Page 90
– The punk influences through Mick Jones on Mott The Hoople. Page 95
– We Are Not The Clash: Chris Salewicz details the downfall and final days of The Clash. Page 100
– Redemption Song: Chris Salewicz's biography of Joe Strummer. Page 106

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Gilbert, P. (2016). PUNK '76. Mojo Magazine, February 2016, Issue 267, pp. 66–88.
21 pages - Clash on page 76/77

Punk '76

A month-by-month retrospective of punk's explosive rise in 1976, charting the journey from underground chaos to national infamy. Featuring insights from key figures like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Caroline Coon, and Mark Perry, it captures the energy, rebellion, and legacy of punk's defining year.

– PUNK '76: Pat Gilbert introduces a month-by-month journey through punk’s explosive rise. Page 66
– How the Sex Pistols sparked chaos from Watford discos to media outrage. Page 68
– Ted Carroll & Chiswick Records: The story of pub rock’s influence on punk and signing The 101'ers. Page 72
– Caroline Coon on coining 'punk rock' and witnessing The Clash's beginnings. Page 74
– Mark P. & Sniffin' Glue: How Mark Perry went from bank clerk to fanzine pioneer and punk figurehead. Page 76
– The Ramones at the Roundhouse: The Ramones' 1976 London gig that electrified the UK punk scene. Page 78
– The Roxy Club Story: How London’s first punk venue gave a stage to a generation of misfits. Page 84
– Where Are They Now? A look at what became of punk’s key players, four decades on. Page 86
– Compilation: A collection of proto-punk tracks that shaped the sound of 1976. Page 88

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MOJO Magazine, August 1994 - Special Feature on The Clash's journey from Westway to Broadway. 20 pages

The Clash From Westway to Broadway

– The Riot Act: John Ingham captures punk's chaotic rise in London, 1976.

– The Clash's mission to conquer America and redefine rock. Take the Fifth Tour 1979

– Ray Lowry’s sketches and memories from The Clash’s US tour.

– The Clash on Broadway: Seventeen legendary nights at Bond's in New York, 1981.

– Fifteen Years On, Joe Strummer reflects on The Clash’s American journey.

Reference: MOJO - Punk: The Whole Story (2006). For more, visit Archive.org