Like CMoS, I'M gutted too...cannot seem to find the words.......what a sad loss....you can only imagine what his family is going through....If you have sky, on New Years Day on BBC4, they are showing highlights of Cambridge Folk Festival with Strummer and the Mescelaros, plus an interview with him.

Mnay treasured memories of The Clash including their Ulster Hall concert in Belfast and the Rock against Rascism open air show in Victoria Park, Manchester 1979.

Vinny, you shouldn't have had beans for your dinner (see new pix). A very Merry Xmas to all you Rocking Strumplers out there. Hope Santa brings you your favourite remastered Undertones CD, and hope everyone going to the Nerve Centre gig has a fantastic time. Slainte mhath (hic!)

Saw the clash play once in London in thier early days (before Londons Calling). It could not have been a memorable experience because I don't know where (possibly Marquee) or when. Old age creeping in or maybe I was pissed. Anyway, the reason I mention it is because I didn't go to many gigs at the time (totally skint) but felt the need to see what they were all about. First thought London Calling was a sell out from thier previous stuff, but it has grown on me. Sad news indeed. Xmas bonus!!!!! Lindsay, the real world xmas bonus is a clip round the ear from the boss. XMAS EVE and she (they're always the worst) says we can go early. Fantastic I thought until I found out it was only 15 mins. Humbug.

I finish work early today but it has been a very busy last few days. The Boss has had me working on stuff which I am convinced could wait until the New Year. I would happily come in for a few days between xmas and new year and save the holidays for when it's warmer. Only saw the Clash once and that was at Newcastle University which in the early 80's was notoriously difficult for non students to get in to. I think the band had some say in restricting the University's control over access which helped us non students.

to one and all HAPPY XMAS looking forward to the gig and getting drunk out of my head on boxing day tssy

A very merry christmas to all of you, enjoy it and have a drink or two

Awful news about Joe Strummer. I loved The Clash, saw them a few times in Belfast and London. Great pix Alex, one of me smiling? Must be touched up by one of those Photosuite packages!! Happy Christmas to all.

Merry Xmas everyone- though hard to be happy at the moment. Read a couple of brilliant obituaries today- he certainly had an interesting life!

Well yet again I'm the last person on the floor at work on Christmas Eve. Not bad this year. Will manage to leave 1.5 hours earlier than usual and have been playing the Clash and Strummer almost all day long. Don't think too many people were impressed - it was the day the last tractor went down the production line at our factory and most people didn't share my upset for Joe's passing away. Have a great break everybody and I hope to see you all or at least more of you in 2003.

Merry Christmas to Undertones fans everywhere and especially the mad, obsessive (but proud of it) .netters. Just seen the pics, are you green with envy Jackie and Rick? And who put that banana there?!!! All I want for Christmas is to the see the Undertones again soon, please Santa. See, you all thought he wasn't real didn't you!

I was the only person to not make our work Xmas party - I was otherwise engaged in amsterdam. I was told I should sort my priorities out, I explained that I had. Have a humdinging Xmas everyone,. great seeing you all agin and meeting others for the 1st time in 2002, heres to more gigs in 2003.

Prettige kerstmis en een gelukkig nieuwjaar as we say here in The Netherlands. Just viewed my old 6 track Undertones video. The stylist from about 1982 onwards should have been shot. Specially liked Teenage Kicks (of course) and Damian's old Chelsea shirt with the Umbro diamonds go-faster stripes in My Perfect Cousin. I even had one myself.

Merry Christmas everyone in Undertone land.

Happy Christmas all.Heres a question for you...how many bands/artists could you buy a 'best of' album/CD safe in the knowledge you would like every track(approx 12-14).Some of mine would be;The Undertones(several times over)The Ramones,Sex Pistols, Motels,Moondogs,Skids,Nirvana,St​ones,Beachboys,Buddy Holly,Madonna, Michael Jackson,Gary Glitter, T.Rex,Beatles, Police,Stones,Beachboys,Madonna,​ Michael Jackson,Lional Ritchie, Carpenters, Enya, Simon & Garfunkle, Carly Simon...

D'OH! a few double ups in there.

BTW my Brothers new book has sold around 500 copies in 10 days!

Problem with Best of LPs is that there should only ever be one release for each band. This is not always the case. God knows how many Best Christmas album ever exist. A couple of LPs such as Michael Jackson's Thriller almost count as Best of in there own right, or at least singles collection 1983-85. Like the banana in the photo. Who did place it there?

Almost thinking about attending Derry just in case it does turn into a 'tribute' concert to Joe Strummer. Liam, what are the chances of a Strummer tribute night similar to the one held in Derry for the Ramones.

Merry Christmas everyone in Undertone Land. Let's hope for more of the same in 2003. What I don't understand about Vinny Cunningham is where is his beer gut? Looking forward to Saturday now.

It was me! I was handed the banana but couldnt face eating it, so scoffed the grapes instead (sorry if this was your tea boys.) Still, made up for the fact I didnt get offered a drink (sob) Infact it was a pretty dry weekend all round. My hotel bar bill only came to £25. For 6 halves of Heineken.

Well, Jackie to make up for all this misery, here is a link especially for you; BTW the author Dick Bruna originates from my hometown(Dick is a normal dutch name, and so Kok is a normal surname here as well, remember our last PM). Cliff, what's your brother's book called: my life as a brother of an undertones-fan???

Merry Xmas to all here and the Band of course. Some of us will be working tomorrow and Boxing Day,(no rest etc...) but I aim to make up for things at the weekend. Oh yes. Cheers

cliff what about the ruts boomtown rats the clash 999 .tssy ONCE MORE HAPPY XMAS

'Babylons Burning' is a classic but I couldnt think of 12-14 good Ruts songs.Same goes for Boomtown Rats.I forgot to put Abba and Queen on my list.

My Brothers book is called 'dijja wanna say sumfing'...its a dictionary of 'Estuary English' meaning Essex, South & East London and the Medway(North Kent).Examples are 'pacific' = 'specific'.'Margrit Fatcher...British Prime Minister 1979-92'...that sort of thing(fing).