The band filmed a performance at the Hammersmith Odeon in June 1978, which was later released on DVD as Never Say Die .
In June, the band released ” (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais ” as a single, which peaked at number 32 in the UK Singles chart; it quickly became a favourite with Clash fans and was voted single of the year in the 1978 NME Readers’ Poll.
On 15 May 1978, the afternoon after Jordan’s final gig with Adam and the Ants, Bivouac also left the band and soon after was replaced by Matthew Ashman . This line-up continued to demo new material, and on 10 July 1978, they recorded a second Peel Session that featured the…
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Upon returning to England, Lydon searched for musicians but it was difficult. He stated in the press: “I’m thinking about going up north for someone. They’ve got bands up there who are trying to be different”. He approached Jah Wobble ( né John Wardle) about forming a band together. The…
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The band began rehearsing together in mid-May 1978, although they were still unnamed. In July 1978, Lydon officially named the band “Public Image” (the “Ltd” was added when the company was incorporated in July 1978), after the Muriel Spark novel The Public Image (1968). PiL debuted in October 1978 with…
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Touring in support of Never Say Die! began in May 1978 with openers Van Halen .
In May, the Who filmed another performance at Shepperton Sound Studios for The Kids Are Alright .
On 30 April, the Clash played at Rock Against Racism in Victoria Park, London . Late 1970s England had seen an increase in racist attacks and a growth in support for the far-right political party The National Front . Also on the bill were X-Ray Spex , Steel Pulse ,…
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John Peel arranged for the group to record a session for his Radio One show. The songs broadcast on 13 April 1978 were “Wasted Life”, “Johnny Was”, ” Alternative Ulster” and “State of Emergency”. Another John Peel session was recorded in September – “Law And Order”, “Barbed Wire Love”, “Suspect…
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Joy Division were approached by RCA Records to record a cover of Nolan “N.F.” Porter ‘s “Keep on Keepin’ On” at a Manchester recording studio. The band spent late March and April 1978 writing and rehearsing material. During the Stiff/Chiswick Challenge concert at Manchester’s Rafters club on 14 April, they…
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