London Doodles

Fans of The Clash will recognise the London Calling colors used in the featured print. But before you scream rip off know that the piece is part a Clash limited edition series based on sketches by Ray Lowry.

Ray Lowry was the designer behind the London Calling album art. The cover is widely acknowledged as one of the best of all time. The best if you’re at my house.

Fans of Elvis Presley will note that the London Calling design was a rip of The King’s first album. One of the fist rock ‘n’ roll albums ever. This was Ray’s enthusiasm for 50s rock and roll shining through.

Along with ripping off The King, Lowry was an acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator who often appeared on the pages NME and The Guardian.  Ray became well known for his satirical edge. In today’s climate of endless likes and happy faces, it’s nice to know that guys like Ray lived to take the piss out of things.

Sadly Ray Lowry passed away in 2008.

The Lowry foundation commissioned screen print artist Robin Ross to create The Clash Limited Edition Screen Prints. Ross worked with sketches Ray had created while on tour with the band in the late 70s.

The period Lowry made the sketches is what makes the work of most interest. British punk had exploded and garage bands were sprouting up everywhere. The Clash were at the front of the pack. Still the band had their backs up against the wall. For all they knew,  the London Calling sessions could have been their last. Their fans and record company were cool to the band’s second effort Give ‘Em Enough Rope.

But London Calling did not disappoint. The double vinyl release produced some of the bands best work. It’s also responsible for one of Joe Strummer’s better quotes. When told that London Calling had made Rolling Stone magazine’s Best Albums of the 80’s list, Strummer responded, ‘But it was released in 1979.’

London Calling was released on December 14, 1979.

If you’ve yet to see it, the documentary on the making of London Calling is gold. There’s also a fictional movie in the works about The Clash during the London Calling period. Paul Simonon and Mick Jones are reported to be involved so it might be worth a look.

At blog time The Clash Limited Edition Screen Prints could be found at the Austin Modern Rocks Gallery.