June. Mick Jones, guitarist with punk band London SS, forms The Clash with non-musician Paul Simonon, who learns bass. The line-up is eventually filled out by ex-101er front man Joe Strummer on vocals and guitar, guitarist Keith Levene and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon.

December. The band supports the Sex Pistols on the Anarchy in the U.K. tour. All but three shows are cancelled after the Pistols turn into public enemy No. 1.

April. The Clash's self-titled debut album, a clenched fist of punk ("White Riot") and reggae ("(White Man) in Hammersmith,") goes to No. 12 in the U.K. charts.

March. Although only available as an import, The Clash has now sold over 100,000 copies in the U.S. Capping a year of run-ins with the law, Simonon and Headon are arrested in London for shooting at pigeons with air rifles.

January. The Clash begin their first American tour – deemed "Pearl Harbor '79" - with Bo Diddley supporting. Opening number: "I’m So Bored With the U.S.A."

April. Give ‘Em Enough Rope is released. The band receives negative feedback for its less intense sound and the decision to use non-punk Blue Oyster Cult producer Sandy Pearlman behind the boards.

December. The Clash release London Calling, their double LP masterwork. As fierce as it is eloquent, it’s a great example of the way that once rudimentary punk rock is maturing. The group insists on pricing the two records as a single set. Rolling Stone later names London Calling the best album of the '80s.

March. London Calling goes to No. 27 in the U.S., while the single "Train in Vain" peaks at No. 23. The gritty Clash docudrama Rude Boy premieres in London.

May. During a riotous gig in Hamburg, West Germany, Strummer breaks his guitar over the head of a fan. He is arrested.

March. The sprawling triple album Sandinista! – named after leftist rebels in Nicaragua – goes to No. 24 in the U.S. and finds the band embracing rap, dub, and gospel. The Clash waive royalties on the first 200,000 copies in order to sell the album for the price of a double LP.

May. The Clash play a celebrated 17-night stand at New York’s Bond Casino in Times Square. Reflecting the band’s up-to-the-minute enthusiasms, hip-hop crew Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five are in support.

April. Joe Strummer disappears. Six weeks later, he’s tracked down in Paris, where he claims to have been "living like a bum."

May. Headon leaves the band due to a "difference in political direction." Former Clash member Terry Chimes returns to the drum stool.

September. With "Should I Stay or Should I Go" at No. 45 in the U.S., the Clash open up for The Who on their American farewell tour.

January. The band's fifth album Combat Rock, boasting "Should I Stay ..." and the hit "Rock the Casbah," goes to No. 7 in the U.S.

September. Strummer and Simonon kick Jones out of the band, claiming he has "drifted apart from the original idea of The Clash."

November. With two new guitarists replacing Jones, the Clash play a series of benefits and acoustic sets around England before releasing Cut the Crap. Critics and long-time fans consider it a half-hearted affair. After a poor reception in the U.K., Strummer ends the band. Crap goes to No. 88 in the U.S.

December. Joe Strummer dies after walking his dog in Somerset, England. He was 50.