John Graham Mellor ( 21 August 1952 -- 22 December 2002 ) , known by his stage name Joe Strummer , was a British musician , singer , actor and songwriter who was the co-founder , lyricist , rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Clash , a punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk .
John Graham Mellor ( 21 August 1952 -- 22 December 2002 ) , better known by his stage name , Joe Strummer , was the co-founder , lyricist , rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash .