Billy Bragg has renamed himself Johnny Clash for the release of
a new charity single inspired by late country icon Johnny Cash and legendary
punk band The Clash.
All proceeds from Old Clash Fight Song, released on 20 August (07), will
benefit Bragg's Jail Doors organisation, which takes its name from a 1978 The
Clash B-side.The charity aims to reduce re-offending among British prisoners by offering
an outlet through taking up music lessons.Bragg has promised to donate £1 (50 cents) from each copy of the seven-inch
single, which will be available on his official website.Speaking about his admiration for The Clash's late frontman, and renowned
activist, Joe Strummer, Bragg says, "Time and time again you find that it's old
Clash fans who are leading the charge."Although we may have hung up our leather jackets, those of us who were
touched by the fire of punk have held onto our anti-fascist ideals.
"The death of Joe Strummer in 2002 brought a lot of us together again to
celebrate Joe's life and we were amazed to find that many of us were involved
in activism in one way of another - union organisers, environmental
campaigners, documentary filmmakers."
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