BILLY BRAGG - BRAGG TURNS INTO 'JOHNNY CLASH' FOR NEW CHARITY SINGLE

BRAGG TURNS INTO 'JOHNNY CLASH' FOR NEW CHARITY SINGLE

British rocker BILLY BRAGG has renamed himself JOHNNY CLASH for the release of a new charity single inspired by late country icon JOHNNY CASH and legendary punk band THE CLASH. All proceeds from Old Clash Fight Song, released on 20 August (07), will benefit Bragg's Jail Doors organisation, which takes its name from a 1978 The Clash B-side. The charity aims to reduce re-offending among British prisoners by offering an outlet through taking up music lessons. Bragg has promised to donate GBP1 (50 cents) from each copy of the seven-inch single, which will be available on his official website. Speaking about his admiration for The Clash's late frontman, and renowned activist, Joe Strummer, Bragg says, "Time and time again you find that it's old Clash fans who are leading the charge. "Although we may have hung up our leather jackets, those of us who were touched by the fire of punk have held onto our anti-fascist ideals. "The death of Joe Strummer in 2002 brought a lot of us together again to celebrate Joe's life and we were amazed to find that many of us were involved in activism in one way of another - union organisers, environmental campaigners, documentary filmmakers."