10 Rock Bands That Survived Key Members Leaving
2. Mick Jones - The Clash
The Clash are one of the most important Rock bands of all time, having dominated the British punk world in the late '70s. Having met lead singer Joe Strummer at a squat in 1976, the original group began jamming at an abandoned railway warehouse in Camden Town and made their first stage debut opening for the Sex Pistols later that year.
Mick and Joe were the two driving forces behind the band's entire direction, with the pair splitting lead guitarist and songwriting duties as The Clash were suddenly catapulted to super stardom. The duo easily began to hit their peaks in 1979 with the release of London Calling, still one of the most acclaimed albums ever released, with Mick's own Train in Vain a definite highlight.
A power struggle between Mick and Joe would soon develop however, with tensions mounting to the point where Mick was fired in September 1983. A hugely popular and important individual for both band and fans, The Clash would indeed continue on without Mick, though it's debatable whether they were really at their peak again following his dismissal.