- Culture
- 03 Mar 25
He starred in the band's 'Bankrobber' video and also managed Joe Ely
Hot Press is deeply saddened to learn that legendary Clash and John Cooper Clarke tour manager Johnny Green (on the right in this pic with JCC) has died after battling with cancer for the past year.
Originally a fan of the band, Johnny became a key member of the travelling Clash entourage during the seventies punk uprising – and wrote about it with great wit and insight in the must-read A Riot of Our Own: Night And Day With The Clash.
He also co-starred in the video for the band's 'Bankrobber' video, which very nearly led to him having his own collar felt, and featured prominently in the Rude Boy movie, which was set against the backdrop of a Clash tour.
After parting company with Joe Strummer and the chaps, he managed legendary US country artist Joe Ely, became John Cooper Clarke's touring companion and gained unprecedented access to pen Push Yourself Just A Little Bit More: Backstage at Le Tour de France.
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A brilliant raconteur, he graced the Hot Press Chatroom at Electric Picnic with JCC in 2012 – we've managed to find a battered old video copy of the chinwag! – and reprised the double act at the 2015 Metropolis festival in the RDS, with our man Stuart Clark taking care of interview duties on both occasions. He also took part in 2017's Year Zero - 40th Anniversary Symposium, which recalled The Clash's legendary 1977 concert in Trinity College, Dublin.
Here are some of the tributes to one of the true rock 'n'roll believers:
"First Roy Corkill. Then David Johansen. And now this. Where are the words when you need them most?
My dearest and most precious friend, Johnny Green, died at 7pm on the 2nd of March 2025.
May God love and keep him in His heavenly kingdom. Adios muchacho." - John Cooper Clarke pic.twitter.com/GvEyLY6QEh— John Cooper Clarke (@official_jcc) March 5, 2025
Very sad news. Johnny Green has left the building. He was taking care of the Clash when I began my adventure with them. That took something special! Especially with the most exciting band in the world at the height of their powers. He was always CLASS. Rest in Rockin’ Peace JG💔
— Pete Wylie is WAH!🌟 (@petewylie) March 3, 2025
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Johnny Green RIP 'The legendary tour manager of the Clash and John Cooper Clarke and author and one of the good guys' https://t.co/MAwMXrdhPK via @louderthanwar
— john robb (@johnrobb77) March 3, 2025
I'm so sorry to hear that Johnny Green, former road manager for The Clash, has died.
Johnny gave a eulogy at Garry Barker's funeral - my beloved former boss on the KM subs' desk. They wrote a book together on The Clash, of whom Garry was a huge fan, called A Riot of Our Own.— Sarah Linney (@thedailysarah) March 3, 2025
Farewell Johnny Green x pic.twitter.com/P6g5YAaJJj
— Julian Bebb. (@jules_bebb) March 3, 2025
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Here comes Johnny Green with the gaffer tape pic.twitter.com/ALa7e5t8bm
— G-Rock (@GrahamW1969) March 3, 2025
Farewell then to a very dear friend. The legendary Johnny Green. RIP. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/YoL6pAX3vh
— robin james banks (@robinjamesbank3) March 3, 2025
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Here's that WORD magazine piece on Johnny Green. Download and read.
Great interviewee, great man. RIP pic.twitter.com/ifo0u1Ie1b— Nige Tassell (@nigetassell) March 4, 2025
Really sad to hear of the passing of my friend Johnny Green. What we didn't put to rights within the cycling world while in town wasn't worth taking about. I loved his rock and roll attitute towards cycling. A lovely man. I'll miss our chats Johnny. #johnnygreen pic.twitter.com/EAiMVaQKvp
— herberts cycles (@herbertscycles) March 4, 2025