Every December 22nd, amidst all the holiday hoopla, we are reminded of one of music’s most depressing realities. On this day, seven years ago, music lost perhaps its greatest frontman. He was the voice of a generation, a man whose words had the power to inspire and unite. He was a creative genius, whose talents would fuel both punk’s greatest band and an incredibly unappreciated solo career. And most importantly, he was human, a rock star who didn’t want to be treated like a rock star, instead favoring late night local pub crawls and camping with ordinary fans at the Glastonbury Music Festival.

For many, including this writer, Joe Strummer will forever be their greatest musical influence. On both record and in actions, the Clash frontman exemplified what it meant to be a living hero, and his tragic death in 2002 at the young age of 50, a constant reminder of not only what could have been, but of the life’s bittersweet realites.

So on this December 22nd, three days before we come together and celebrate life’s many wonders, let us for a few moments remember life’s greatest men — the late and great Joe Strummer.

This is for Joe…