The Pogues on tour with Joe Strummer

Strummer had a close relationship with the Pogues. He had two periods withe Pogues. Late 1987 when Phil Chevron was hospitalised wiht an ulcer and Strummer flew out to New York to fill in on rythem guitar.

Then after Shane McGowan left the band in summer of 1991 Strummer filled in as lead vocalist and guitarist through to March 1992 when Spider Stacy took over.

1986, 1987 - odd dates
Nov 1987 - US Tour on guitar covering for Phil Chevron
1988, 1989, 1990 - odd dates
Oct 1991 - April1992 - Takes over as lead vocalist


Links: --- 1986 --- 1987 --- 1988 --- 1989 --- 1990 --- 1991 --- 1992



Sources

DISCLAIMER: This list is NOT verified. It is an almagmation of general, published information from sources good and not so good. Any mistakes, please email blackmarketclash.co.uk@gmail.com

Pogues Live (external links) --- 1986 --- 1987 --- 1988 --- 1989 --- 1990 --- 1991 --- 1992
pogues bootlegs
Gary's Pogues & Shane MacGowan Bootleg Page: The Pogues Bootlegs
Not On Label (The Pogues) | Discogs
The Pogues | Concerts Wiki | Fandom

1987-88 touring with the Pogues - Kirsty MacColl






1986 - "Nicaragua Must Survive"

No confirmed performances in 1986: Despite some online confusion, there are no documented instances of Strummer joining The Pogues on stage in 1986. (The Pogues did share a bill with Joe Strummer at events like the August 7, 1985 “Nicaragua Must Survive” benefit in London, but Strummer did not perform with the band at any 1986 show concerts.fandom.com.) All notable Strummer/Pogues collaborations began in 1987.

7 Aug 85 Brixton Fridge, London
"Nicaragua Must Survive", with Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer & The Men They Couldn't Hang






1987 - UK dates, US Tour

Throughout these 1987 gigs, Strummer remained in a “guest” role – energizing the band but not attempting to replace MacGowan’s persona. A Los Angeles Times review later noted that Strummer “had guested alongside MacGowan on a 1987 Pogues tour” latimes.com, confirming his significant contribution during these dates. Setlist highlights: In addition to Pogues staples (“Streams of Whiskey,” “If I Should Fall from Grace with God,” etc.), the inclusion of “London Calling” and “I Fought the Law” in the set became a trademark of the shows with Strummer digwithit. These performances were not officially released, but circulate as audience recordings and memories in fan accounts.



1987 - Dublin, Ireland – RTÉ TV Studio

June 7, 1987 – Dublin, Ireland (RTE TV Special “The Session”): Strummer joined The Pogues and Irish folk icons The Dubliners for a televised concert on RTÉ One. In this special, Strummer took lead vocals (with Shane MacGowan backing) on “I Fought the Law” and “London Calling,” bringing his Clash repertoire into the Pogues’ set . He also played on several Pogues songs (“Lullaby of London,” “South Australia,” “Repeal of the Licensing Laws,” etc.), and all joined forces for “The Irish Rover” as a finale. Recording/Broadcast: This show was broadcast on Irish television; footage circulates in archives (and has been rebroadcast on TG4 in Ireland) youtube.com, though it was never an official home video release.

7 Jun 87 Dublin, Ireland – RTÉ TV Studio
Televised Concert with Joe Strummer and The Dubliners. "The Session" broadcast. Strummer lead vocals on "I Fought the Law" and "London Calling". Footage: RTÉ archive, YouTube

June 7, 1987 The Session, Dublin (RTE One, Ireland) Televised Concert with Joe Strummer and The Dubliners The Pogues: Streams Of Whiskey / The Ballinalee / If I Should Fall From Grace With God

The Dubliners (without the Pogues): Ballad Of St. Anne's Reel / Don't Get Married / The Dubliners Fancy / Dubliners

The Pogues with Joe Strummer: I Fought The Law (Joe on vocals - Shane backup) / London Calling (Joe on vocals - Shane backup) / Lullaby Of London / South Australia / Repeal Of The Licensing Laws / Turkish Song Of The Damned / The Irish Rover (with the Dubliners and Joe Strummer)



1987- Electric Ballroom

November 17, 1987 – London, UK (Electric Ballroom): Strummer’s first on-stage appearance with The Pogues at a public concert. He guested at the Electric Ballroom in London (source), likely playing guitar and energizing the band ahead of their U.S. tour. (This was a warm-up club gig; while detailed setlists aren’t readily available, it’s known Strummer was on stage throughout the show Source.) This appearance came about because Pogues guitarist Philip Chevron had fallen ill, and Strummer agreed to step in on short notice (source). Recording: No official recording; this was a one-off club show, though it’s mentioned in contemporary press reports.

17 Nov 87 London, UK – Electric Ballroom
First public on-stage Pogues show with Strummer. Front, Back 2, Back, Ticket



1987- US Tour, filling in for Phil Chevron

In late 1987 Pogues guitarist Phil Chevron fell ill with a stomach ulcer, forcing him off the road. Contemporary reports note that Chevron was hospitalised in November 1987 due to this ulcerous condition bbc.co.uk, latimes.com. (Neither source gives an exact day, but the timeline is clear: by mid-November 1987 Chevron was incapacitated.)

Because of Chevron’s illness, the band’s management flew in Joe Strummer (former Clash singer/guitarist) to deputise on guitar.

As BBC writer Stuart Bailie recounts, “guitarist Phil Chevron was ill with a stomach ulcer” so “they’d flown in Joe Strummer to deputizebbc.co.uk. Likewise, a 1987 Los Angeles Times report notes that Strummer would be “sitting in” with the Pogues for their U.S. tour, “filling in for Pogues guitarist Phillip Chevron, who’s suffering from ulcers”latimes.com.

Joe Strummer’s stint was explicitly as a temporary replacement for the absent Chevron. He joined the Pogues’ live band for the remainder of 1987 (and into early 1988). Previously at the Electric Ballroom in London, Strummer and the Pogues performed two Clash covers, “I Fought the Law” and “London Calling,” with Joe Strummer sharing vocals setlist.fm. (The setlist text explicitly annotates both songs as “(with Joe Strummer)” setlist.fm.)

Strummer then accompanied the Pogues to New York City in late November 1987. According to Bailie’s BBC account, he was present when the band played the Ritz in Manhattan. Bailie reports: “Since guitarist Phil Chevron was ill with a stomach ulcer, they’d flown in Joe Strummer to deputize. So as a bonus I watched them play ‘I Fought The Law’, ‘London Calling’ and an encore of ‘Maggie May’.”bbc.co.uk.

According to eyewitness accounts, Strummer was “rehearsed and eager,” initially sticking to guitar, then “stepped forward to sing” “London Calling” and “I Fought the Law”, which drew “a great roar of approval” from the crowd digwithit. This show was not professionally recorded, though rock photographer Ebet Roberts captured images of Strummer on stage with The Pogues in NYC facebook.

After the NYC shows, Strummer continued with the Pogues into their December 1987 U.S. tour. The LA Times preview of the tour (dated Dec 3, 1987) lists specific dates and venues, noting Strummer’s role: “Former Clash leader Joe Strummer will be sitting in…for their two-week U.S. tour (which includes… Dec. 10 at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre and Dec. 11 at the Hollywood Palladium, plus… Dec. 12 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano). The fiery Strummer – filling in for Pogues guitarist Phillip Chevron – will bring a couple of Clash-identified songs… ‘I Fought the Law’ and ‘London Calling.’”latimes.com.

At Boston a fan-compiled setlist noted Clash covers were performed here as well (e.g. “I Fought the Law” and “London Calling” in the encore) digwithit.

After this stretch, Phil Chevron eventually recovered, and Strummer’s role with the Pogues ended when Chevron returned (and later guitarist Jamie Clarke took over in 1989).

27 Nov 87 New York, USA – The Ritz
US debut with Strummer. "London Calling", "I Fought the Law". Photos only: Ebet Roberts, Poster

29 Nov 87 New York, USA – Madison Square Garden
Pogues with Strummer on guitar, support for U2.

1 Dec 87 Boston, USA – The Metro
Audience bootleg reported. Setlist included Clash covers.Front, Back

2 Dec 87 Montreal, QC – Le Spectrum
Strummer on guitar

3 Dec 87 Toronto, Canada – Palais Royale
Strummer on guitar. No confirmed audio/video.

4 Dec 87 Detroit, MI – Todd’s
Strummer on guitar. No official recording.

5 Dec 87 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Audience audio exists. Setlist included Clash tracks.

9 Dec 87 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
12 Dec 87 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House
Last night of US tour with Strummer on guitar.



1987 - Christmas dates

Dec 17–19, 1987 – Glasgow, Scotland (Barrowland Ballroom): The Pogues’ annual pre-Christmas run in Glasgow featured Strummer as a guest on all three nights. By this point, Chevron had returned on guitar; Strummer’s role here was more of a special guest rather than fill-in. He appeared alongside the band (and guest vocalist Kirsty MacColl) at the Barrowlands.

Typically, Kirsty MacColl would join for “Fairytale of New York,” and Strummer likely jumped in for a rousing cover or added guitar/vocals on Pogues numbers. Recording: These shows were not officially recorded, though they are fondly remembered; no known official release. (They were high-spirited gigs to cap off 1987, with Strummer’s presence adding star power).

17 Dec 87 Glasgow – Barrowland Ballroom
Christmas run. Strummer as guest with Joe Strummer standing in for Philip Chevron and Kirsty MacColl. The tune was played live for the first time at the iconic Glasgow venue, when a young Kirsty MacColl took to the stage with The Pogues. Also performed during the soundcheck. Ticket, Front, Setlist, Ticket 2, Poster, Advert, Link

18 Dec 87 Glasgow – Barrowland Ballroom
With Joe Strummer and Kirsty MacColl. Front, Poster, Ticket, Advert, Setlist

19 Dec 87 Glasgow – Barrowland Ballroom
With Joe Strummer and Kirsty MacColl. As far as we are aware, there is no bootleg of this show. However, the some songs have been officially released. Poster, Setlist, Ticket, Advert

22 Dec 87 Sheffield - City Hall






1988 - "Live at the Town & Country Club" DVD


17 Mar 88 London, UK – Town and Country Club
Live at the Town and Country Club was recorded on March 17, 1988 (St. Patrick’s Day) at London’s Town and Country Club (now the O2 Forum Kentish Town). This live set follows the release of their acclaimed album If I Should Fall from Grace with God with guests including Kirsty MacColl and Joe Strummer.
YouTube

Some of the interview segments ciculate seperatley here


The Pogues’ Live at the Town and Country Club was recorded on March 17, 1988 (St. Patrick’s Day) at London’s Town and Country Club (now the O2 Forum Kentish Town). This live set follows the release of their acclaimed album If I Should Fall from Grace with God with guests including Kirsty MacColl and Joe Strummer.

The concert circulates widely and recieved postive reviews. Shane MacGowan’s presence, despite personal struggles, brings charisma to the show. Guest appearances by Kirsty MacColl and Joe Strummer add extra to the perfromance.

Details

Recording Date: March 17, 1988
Venue: Town and Country Club, London
Release Formats: VHS (1988), DVD (2003)
Running Time: Approximately 58 minutes
Notable Collaborations:
Kirsty MacColl joins for “Fairytale of New York” and “Lullaby of London”
Joe Strummer performs “London Calling” and “I Fought the Law”

Setlist

  1. Metropolis

  2. Broad Majestic Shannon

  3. If I Should Fall from Grace with God

  4. A Rainy Night in Soho

  5. Thousands Are Sailing

  6. Fairytale of New York (with Kirsty MacColl)

  7. Lullaby of London (with Kirsty MacColl)

  8. Dirty Old Town

  9. London Calling (with Joe Strummer)

  10. Turkish Song of the Damned

  11. Fiesta

  12. The Irish Rover

  13. Worms

  14. A Message to You, Rudy

  15. The Wild Rover


Live at the Town and Country Club is available on DVD and from several retailers:
Amazon | Claddagh Records | Golden Discs


Watch

Youtube: Watch in Youtube





1989 - "The Session" Channel 4

(Side note: In late 1989, Shane MacGowan missed a Pogues US tour opening for Bob Dylan, but Strummer did not fill in on that occasion – the band managed with Spider Stacy and others handling vocals latimes.com.)

June 7, 1989 – London, UK (Channel 4’s The Session TV broadcast): Strummer reunited with The Pogues for a televised performance on Channel 4 in the UK youtube. In this broadcast (recorded in mid-1989), Strummer once again took the mic for “I Fought the Law” and “London Calling” with The Pogues – effectively recreating the magic of the 1987 RTÉ special for a British audience.

This TV session aired on June 7, 1989 youtube, showing Strummer and The Pogues tearing through the two Clash classics live in the studio.

Recording/Broadcast: The performance was aired on Channel 4 (UK) and has since become an “archival video” clip widely shared by fans x.com. It was not an official music release, but the footage survives (for example, on YouTube and social media, especially after Shane MacGowan’s 2023 passing, clips have circulated as a tribute). Aside from this TV spot, Strummer did not participate in The Pogues’ regular 1989 tour gigs – he was busy with his own projects (his solo album Earthquake Weather was released in 1989 nowtoronto.com).

7 Jun 89 London, UK – Channel 4 Studios
"The Session" Channel 4. Strummer sings "I Fought the Law", "London Calling". Widely circulated video.
YouTube






1990 - Electric Ballroom

December 10, 1990 – London, UK (Electric Ballroom): Strummer made a surprise guest appearance at The Pogues’ Electric Ballroom concert in London. This show was part of the Pogues’ holiday-season events, just after the release of Hell’s Ditch (which Strummer had produced). Joe Strummer and Kirsty MacColl both joined the band on stage that night.

MacColl sang “Fairytale of New York” with MacGowan, and Strummer likely contributed guitar/vocals on a few songs – possibly including a Clash number or mutual favorite. Fans recall this gig as a special one-off: Strummer jamming with The Pogues in a relatively intimate venue. Recording:

There was no official recording or broadcast of this show. It exists mainly in fan lore (no setlist on record, though presumably the standard Hell’s Ditch-era set plus Christmas encores).

10 Dec 90 London, UK – Electric Ballroom
Christmas guest with Kirsty MacColl. Also on video, Audience Camcorder. Ticket, DVD Cover






1991 - McGowan leaves, Strummer takes over as lead vocalist

When Joe Strummer joined The Pogues as lead vocalist in the autumn of 1991, it marked a period of high drama, humour, and renewal for the band. Having just parted ways with Shane MacGowan, The Pogues faced an uncertain future-until Strummer, long a friend and fan, stepped in.

The result was not only a lifeline for the band but a jolt of punk energy and brotherhood that left a mark on everyone involved. As Spider Stacy recalled in Uncut, "He'd show up at 9:30am with black coffee, ready to run through 'Rainy Night in Soho' until we got it right. It was the only time The Pogues ever worked that hard at breakfast" .

Band nerves were high at first-both about replacing MacGowan and about working with a punk icon. Jem Finer remembered in MOJO: "Joe immediately diffused the tension, making everyone laugh, telling self-deprecating stories, and insisting, 'You're still the best drinking band in the world-don't let the Clash myth scare you'" .

---

Strummer joined after MacGowan’s last show in July 1991. He fronted the Pogues for nearly every show from September 1991 through March 1992.

After Shane MacGowan was sacked, Joe Strummer stepped in as the Pogues’ lead singer for the remainder of that year’s shows wikipedia. Starting in September 1991, Strummer fronted The Pogues on a U.S. Tour and subsequent dates on lead vocals.

He continued with the band into early 1992 (tours in Japan and Australia in March 1992 setlist.fm). These shows had setlists blending Pogues classics with the occasional Clash tune (“London Calling” remained in the set, often as a show-stopper).

A contemporary review of an October 1991 Los Angeles show noted that at first Strummer “seemed tame” replacing MacGowan, but that the band found its groove – particularly after Strummer belted out “London Calling,” which ignited the crowd latimes.

Decades later, one of the London concerts from Strummer’s tenure was officially released as The Pogues with Joe Strummer – Live in London (2014) youtube. This live album (recorded December 1991 in London) features Strummer-led versions of “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” “Dirty Old Town,” “Straight to Hell,” and others youtube.

It’s a valuable document of the once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between Strummer and The Pogues – “a confluence of greatness,” as one reviewer described it recordcollectormag. Aside from this release and the aforementioned TV broadcasts (1987 & 1989), none of the Strummer/Pogues live shows from 1986–1990 were officially filmed or released. Enthusiasts must rely on bootlegs, TV archives, and press accounts for those performances.






1991 - US Tour

The North American tour (September-October 1991) was a trial by fire, with Strummer leading The Pogues across Canada and the United States. Strummer fills in on vocals until 19 March (?) 1992

Onstage, Joe brought back classic punk attitude-kicking over mic stands, prowling the stage, and sometimes jumping into the crowd. At New York's Beacon Theatre, he tore into "London Calling" with such energy that the band had to speed up to keep pace . He sometimes had lyric cues taped to monitors and even scribbled on napkins after frantic setlist changes, earning good-natured ribbing from his bandmates. Famed for his "tour bus monologues," Joe told tales from The Clash days but also asked every roadie about their life stories-sometimes using those details to introduce songs on stage . He was known as a mediator, too: Carol Clerk's biography recounts Joe acting as peacemaker during several band arguments, telling one bickering pair, "Save it for the encore, lads!" He kept the mood light, even after grueling travel.

26 Sep 91 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
27 Sep 91 Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY
28 Sep 91 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
30 Sep 91 Archaos Tent Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
2 Oct 91 Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL
4 Oct 91 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
5 Oct 91 PNE Gardens, Vancouver, BC
Flyer, Poster 2, Poster 1

7 Oct 91 The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
Backstage Pass

8 Oct 91 The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
9 Oct 91 The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
10 Oct 91 Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA
11 Oct 91 Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA


Thanks to Pogues Live


Thanks to Pogues Live






1991 - European Tour

25 Oct 91 St. Brieuc, FRA
26 Oct 91 Élysée Montmartre, Paris, FRA
Ticket

27 Oct 91 Élysée Montmartre, Paris, FRA
Without Terry Woods Ticket

29 Oct 91 Stadthalle, Fürth, GER
31 Oct 91 Munsterland Halle, Münster, GER
Ticket

1 Nov 91 Music Hall, Hanover, GER
3 Nov 91 Ostseehalle, Kiel, GER
Flyer

4 Nov 91 Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle, Berlin, GER
6 Nov 91 Mozartsaal Im Rosengarten, Mannheim, GER
7 Nov 91 Sporthalle, Cologne, GER
Released on a CD bootleg The Pogues - Featuring Joe Strummer. Front, Front, Ticket, Featuring Joe Strummer Back, Back, Poster

9 Nov 91 Stadthalle, Fürth, GER
10 Nov 91 Sporthalle Tägerhard, Wettingen, SUI
11 Nov 91 Messe Kongresszentrum B, Stuttgart, GER
Ticket

12 Nov 91 Stadthalle, Freiburg, GER
14 Nov 91 Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht, NED


Thanks to Pogues Live






1991 - UK Tour

The UK and Ireland leg (November-December 1991) was equally memorable, as the tour made its way from Manchester to Dublin via Glasgow, Belfast, London, and more. At some gigs (notably Boston and Liverpool), fans were initially split-some wanted Pogues classics only, others were there just for Joe. By the encores, the room was united, especially for "Straight to Hell." Fans remember Joe drinking Guinness in the bar after several gigs (notably Manchester and Dublin), chatting about everything from Bob Marley to English football.

He often signed Pogues and Clash memorabilia with "Keep the Faith-Joe." The setlists featured not only staples like "London Calling" and "I Fought the Law" but occasionally deep cuts and impromptu covers-like "Brand New Cadillac" or "White Riot"-if Joe spotted a sign in the audience, provided the band felt up to it. At December UK shows, Joe donned a Santa hat and led a raucous "Fairytale of New York" (with Spider and sometimes guest singers handling Kirsty MacColl's part).

29 Nov 91 Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Sounds Interview with Joe Strummer - an MP3 source exists. Cassette Insert

30 Nov 91 Corn Exchange, Cambridge
2 Dec 91 Playhouse, Edinburgh
3 Dec 91 City Hall, Newcastle
4 Dec 91 Apollo, Manchester
6 Dec 91 Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
7 Dec 91 Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham
9 Dec 91 De Montfort Hall, Leicester
10 Dec 91 A V Newport Centre, Newport
Also circulated on video. Sleeve, Disc

11 Dec 91 Brixton Academy, London
Advert, Ticket

12 Dec 91 A V Town and Country Club, London
This is the show the live b-sides for the Pogues' "Tuesday Morning" singles came from. These same three songs also appear on the Bootleg LP "Straight From Hell", released by Raisin Dab Records (Catalogue Number NGD315421) in 2002. This limited edition LP (1000 copies were made in black vinyl) consists of B sides from various Pogues singles. Also on video. Straight From Hell Bootleg, Ticket

16 Dec 91 National Stadium, Dublin
This show has been readily available as a CDR for many years. It was commercially released in 2004 by an unknown Japanese company (no catalogue number). The show was packaged as two separate black vinyl LP's: Thanks Joe! Vol. 1 and Thanks Joe! Vol. 2. The first 12 tracks appeared on Vol.1, with the remaining 9 tracks on Vol. 2 together with the single version of Fiesta and the 12 inch version of Whiskey You're The Devil as fillers. Ticket, Front


Thanks to Pogues Live


Thanks to Pogues Live






1992 - Japan and Australia tour

The Japan and Australia tour (March 1992) was a whirlwind of travel and late nights, but Strummer's enthusiasm never flagged. He charmed local crews and fans alike, adapting quickly to new venues and sometimes learning setlist tweaks hours before showtime. Stories from these dates tell of Joe keeping the mood light-cracking jokes backstage, encouraging nervous band members, and exploring Tokyo's nightlife. Though audience bootlegs exist, these concerts are especially remembered for the sense of unity and mutual respect between Joe and The Pogues, which persisted through jetlag and culture shock.

Throughout this era, Strummer's impact was transformative. When Shane MacGowan eventually rejoined in 1992, The Pogues toasted Joe in a London pub, calling him "the man who saved our arses" . Strummer himself reflected, in a 2001 radio interview, "That run with The Pogues, I needed it as much as they did. I remembered what it was to be in a gang again" . He respected the Pogues' legacy, never tried to replace MacGowan's charisma, and led the band with a mix of discipline and warmth. For The Pogues, it was a wild, redemptive ride: "Joe brought us back from the brink, and we loved him for it" .

1 Mar 92 Moda Hall, Osaka
Poster

3 Mar 92 CLUB CITTA', Kawasaki,
Poster

4 Mar 92 Tokyo Bay NK Hall, Urayasu
5 Mar 92 Tokyo Bay NK Hall, Urayasu
feat. Joe Strummer. Joe's last appearance with The Pogues?

15 Mar 92 Botanic Park, Adelaide, AUS
WOMADelaide 1992

19 Mar 92 Australian National Uni. Union Bar, Canberra, AUS
feat. Joe Strummer?


Thanks to Pogues Live


Thanks to Pogues Live


Thanks to Pogues Live







Anecdotes:

Jem Finer (Pogues founding member):
Finer recalled in a 2014 Rolling Stone interview: “Joe was great to work with—he was respectful of the material, he brought fresh energy, but he was also humble. He wanted to do Shane justice rather than simply replace him.”

Finer also told Uncut (2012) that Strummer “never tried to be MacGowan, he just wanted the band to keep going. We were all in a rough place but he gave us a real shot in the arm.”

Spider Stacy (Pogues whistle player/vocalist):
Stacy told The Guardian in 2022: “He could step forward and lead, but he never acted like a boss. He bought us all pints, got everyone laughing, and kept the band from falling apart. Those gigs could have been a disaster, but with Joe, they were celebratory.”

Phil Chevron (Pogues guitarist):
Chevron described the US tour with Strummer as “surreal but life-saving for the group,” noting, “The crowds roared for Joe, but he always reminded them ‘I’m just the guest here.’”

According to Carol Clerk’s biography “The Pogues: A Fairytale of Life,” Joe Strummer was known for telling long, rambling stories on the tour bus, entertaining both crew and band—especially after shows in North America when everyone was homesick.

Fan accounts and bootlegs show that Joe often led “London Calling,” “Straight to Hell,” and “I Fought the Law” as mid-set or encore numbers, always receiving huge ovations. He sometimes introduced London Calling with the line, “Let’s see if I can remember this one!”

MacGowan, despite being replaced, later told Mojo (2004): “There’s no one I’d rather see fronting my band if I can’t do it. Joe was a legend and he loved the chaos.”

It’s reported in Record Collector (2014) that Strummer “insisted on band rehearsals at 10am—unheard of for The Pogues—because he wanted to be prepared for every possible song the fans might shout for.”

Many fan accounts recall Joe socializing with audiences after gigs, particularly in Boston, London, and Dublin, where he would “hold court” at the pub and sign setlists, often discussing The Clash and punk history.

In a 1999 MOJO retrospective, Strummer said: “That Pogues tour was a lifeline. They saved me as much as I saved the tour.”


Further reading:

Los Angeles Times (Oct 15, 1991): “Strummer didn’t try to out-drink or out-crazy MacGowan—he sang the songs, told the jokes, and kept the show rolling.”

New York Times (Sept 28, 1991): “For a few months, The Pogues sound like a new band—Joe brings punk discipline, but never forgets the party.”

Melody Maker (Dec 1991): “The Town & Country Club show, with Joe Strummer out front, is a mad, raucous, and sometimes touching reminder of what bands are for.”

The Pogues: A Fairytale of Life by Carol Clerk (2005) – In-depth chapters on Strummer’s involvement.

Joe Strummer interview on his time with The Pogues (YouTube)

Uncut Magazine, "Pogues: Joe Strummer Rehearsal Stories." Issue 158, 2010.

MOJO Magazine, "Jem Finer: Joe Strummer and the Pogues," July 2002.

Melody Maker, "Pogues at the Beacon Theatre," concert review, Oct 1991.

Clerk, Carol. The Pogues: A Fairytale of Life. Omnibus Press, 2005, pp. 240-256.

Steve Hogan, "Pogues Tour Diary 1991-92," fan forum recollections, thepogues.com, archived 2008.

Sydney Morning Herald, "Pogues Down Under with Strummer," March 1992.

Uncut Magazine, "Strummer's Send-off: Pogues Toast Their Stand-in Frontman," April 1992.

Radio X (UK), "Joe Strummer Remembers The Pogues," interview broadcast, Nov 2001.