"Dury and his band were seen as classically-trained or art-school types (which they were) jumping on the punk/new wave bandwagon. Although undoubtedly musically talented, they lacked any significant political agenda, and that's probably why the Clash took a dig at them."
I'm don't agree with this. Fistly Dury was held in high regard by most of the Punk bands (Johnny Rotten, Mick Jones and Jimmy Pursey for instance). Strummer had known Dury during his pub rock days when he was in the 101'ers and Dury was in Kilburn & the Highroads amd there was never any animosity ever shown between the two then or later (in fact all of the bands of that era are always described as being quite chummy) plus they signed with Blackhill (Dury's management company at the time) and several peopel including Kozmo Vinyl, Johnny Green and one of the band (Strummer or Simonon possibly) have hinted/said that one of the reasosn for this was because they were managing Dury. And Dury did have a political direction, which pretty much matched the Clash's. Oh and the band would later go on hire three Blockheads - Mikey Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy and Davey Payne at various times. Gallagher played on London Calling. So yeah, lol.
The reason always sighted as to why Strummer got so pissed that Jonsey played with Dury for Sweet Gene Vincent is because he thought Jonsey should put the band above personal appearances.
"Dury and his band were seen as classically-trained or art-school types (which they were) jumping on the punk/new wave bandwagon. Although undoubtedly musically talented, they lacked any significant political agenda, and that's probably why the Clash took a dig at them."
I'm don't agree with this. Fistly Dury was held in high regard by most of the Punk bands (Johnny Rotten, Mick Jones and Jimmy Pursey for instance). Strummer had known Dury during his pub rock days when he was in the 101'ers and Dury was in Kilburn & the Highroads amd there was never any animosity ever shown between the two then or later (in fact all of the bands of that era are always described as being quite chummy) plus they signed with Blackhill (Dury's management company at the time) and several peopel including Kozmo Vinyl, Johnny Green and one of the band (Strummer or Simonon possibly) have hinted/said that one of the reasosn for this was because they were managing Dury. And Dury did have a political direction, which pretty much matched the Clash's. Oh and the band would later go on hire three Blockheads - Mikey Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy and Davey Payne at various times. Gallagher played on London Calling. So yeah, lol.
The reason always sighted as to why Strummer got so pissed that Jonsey played with Dury for Sweet Gene Vincent is because he thought Jonsey should put the band above personal appearances.