Brand New Cadillac

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Brand New Cadillac" by The Clash, a high-energy cover from their iconic 1979 album London Calling. This track, originally a 1959 12-bar blues song by Vince Taylor and The Playboys, was the first song recorded for the album at Wessex Sound Studios. According to drummer Topper Headon, it was initially a warm-up tune, but its raw power made it the perfect second track. Paul Simonon, the bassist, shared in an interview that the song came from a vinyl record lying around their squat in Shepherd’s Bush, where he and Mick Jones lived. Joe Strummer, the band’s frontman, was a huge fan of Vince Taylor, calling him the "beginning of rock and roll in England" for his wild, leather-clad persona. The Clash’s version, recorded in one take, became the best-known rendition, outshining the original in punk rock circles. Last.fm notes its significance as a staple of their live sets.

A quirky story tied to the song involves BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale, who bet Joe Strummer that the London Calling single would hit the UK Top 10. The stakes? A Cadillac, inspired by this very track. When the single peaked at number 11, a listener donated a 1968 Cadillac deVille to save Nightingale’s pride. Strummer, unable to drive and aware of the car’s impracticality in the UK, auctioned it to raise funds for the struggling steel town of Corby, showcasing his activist spirit. This tale, shared in a 2024 Far Out Magazine article, highlights the song’s cultural ripple effect.

On social media, fans have celebrated the track’s influence. A 2022 post on X by @paranoiacs praised The Clash’s cover as so stellar it could’ve made them legendary as a cover band alone, opening up rockabilly and blues to new audiences. The song’s legacy also lives on in fan discussions, like a 2014 Reddit thread on r/Music, where users reminisced about its raw energy and debated its place among other Clash classics. The track’s lyrics, with lines like “Balls to you, Daddy, she ain’t never coming back,” capture a rebellious swagger that resonates with Zoo Freaks tuning in.

The Clash formed in London in 1976, emerging as a cornerstone of the British punk rock scene. The band—Joe Strummer (vocals, guitar), Mick Jones (guitar), Paul Simonon (bass), and Topper Headon (drums)—came together amid the raw energy of punk’s first wave. Strummer, originally John Graham Mellor, was performing with pub rock band The 101ers when he was recruited by manager Bernie Rhodes, who saw his potential to channel social unrest into music. Jones and Simonon, both art school students, brought a visual and musical edge, while Headon’s versatile drumming solidified their sound. Their early gigs, including supporting the Sex Pistols, were chaotic but electrifying, earning them a £100,000 deal with CBS Records in 1977. Their self-titled debut album, released that year, was a raw punk manifesto, but it was their willingness to blend reggae, rockabilly, and ska that set them apart, culminating in the genre-defying London Calling.

Connect with The Clash’s legacy online at their official website, which features a detailed discography, tour history, and merch store launched for World Clash Day. Their Facebook page shares archival photos and fan content, while Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses and tributes. On X, the band’s account posts updates about reissues and fan events. Fans can dive deeper at The Clash Wiki, a fan-run site with song breakdowns and trivia. Join discussions in the The Clash Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and others share memories, vinyl finds, and love for tracks like "Brand New Cadillac."