At 18, Keith Levene founded The Clash. When the band became known beyond the borders of London, Levene was no longer there and was already busy with his next project. Now the musician is dead.
The co-founder of the legendary British punk band The Clash, Keith Levene, is dead, according to a report by the Guardian newspaper. The guitarist, who later formed the group Public Image Ltd with Sex Pistols singer John Lydon, was old on Friday Died "peacefully, quietly, comfortably and calmly" at the age of 65, his partner Kate Ransford told the newspaper on Saturday evening. She was therefore together with Levene's sister and her husband at his side. The musician was suffering from liver cancer.
Other British media such as the BBC and the PA news agency referred to a message from Levene's close friend Adam Hammond on Twitter. "There is no doubt that Keith was one of the most innovative, daring and influential guitarists in history," wrote Hammond.
Levene co-founded The Clash ("Should I Stay Or Should I Go?") in 1976 when he was just 18 years old. He helped convince eventual lead singer Joe Strummer to join the band. Levene left the band soon after, however, over disagreements about politics - Strummer would later claim he lost interest because of his alleged excessive drug use, which Levene denied. Although he still contributed to some songs on the first record "What's My Name". When the band became famous, however, Levene was no longer there. He later tried his hand at producing in other styles.
