A quiet send-off for punk rocker

Rock musician Joe Strummer, co-leader of the seminal punk-rock band the Clash, was cremated Monday at a private ceremony in London, eight days after he died of a heart attack at age 50. The cortege passed the former Elgin’s Pub, where the Clash played some of its first shows in the mid-’70s,

The service at the West London Crematorium was attended by Strummer’s wife, Lucinda, his stepdaughter and his two daughters. The New Musical Express Web site said that his Clash bandmates Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon were “believed” to be in attendance. The Guardian noted the presence of such figures as artist Damien Hirst.

According to the Guardian, Strummer’s coffin was decorated with a Stetson hat and the slogans “Vinyl Rules” and “Question Authority.” It was preceded by a firetruck, a tribute to Strummer’s final show, a recent benefit for striking firefighters.

Strummer died at his home in Somerset, England, after walking his dog. A coroner announced last week that drugs were not involved in his death. The Clash will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10 in New York City.

-- Richard Cromelin