Joe Strummer is one of my heroes.  Up until recently I haven't known all that much about him.  Listening to his music I felt that he wa a poet who stood for justice, a Bob Dylan of the punk rock age.  When his solo career took off about a decade ago (eek I'm getting old) I saw him play, which was something close to a religious experience.  There was such a sincerity in his stage performance, both commanding and engaging.  When he passed away in 2005, I was left dumb struck.  Though I had never met him, I felt such a connection with him through his music and performances, it was as though I had lost someone close to my heart.

It didn't dawn on me until recently that I knew virtually nothing about the man I so revered.  Perhaps part of me needed to keep him up on a pedestal, being happy with him as an icon rather than a person.  However, when I saw Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer, curiosity took hold.

In this biography, Chris Salewicz is an amazingly detailed account of the musician's life.  Interviewing friends and family, and sharing his own personal accounts he chronicles the life of John "Joe Strummer" Mellor from his early family life through his impressive career.  Through anecdotes from the people in his life, you (as the reader) gains perspective on who this man was and the influences that shaped his life and music. 

I have to admit, finishing this book was a little bitter-sweet.  We all know how it ends.  I was left with sadness of the loss of this man, who had touched so many in his life.  It feels that he left before his time, that he had so much more he wanted to do.  But most importantly, I came to understand my hero ... that he was in fact human.