The Clash, MTV, and the Battle Over Combat Rock

This episode follows The Clash’s 1982 release of *Combat Rock*, the band’s pivot to a radio‑friendly sound under producer Glyn Johns, and the internal clash between politics and pop. It examines how drummer Bill Headon was fired during the tour, how ‘Rock the Casbah’ broke into U.S. charts via MTV, and how that success sparked debate about authenticity and commercial ambition. The episode shows the chain of decisions and scenes that turned a British punk band into an American mainstream phenomenon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices