I could not do what I’m doing without the constant, unexpected stream of supportive emails, DMs, phone convos from fans and admirers.
I merely wanted to document this vital cultural revolution. I became OBSESSED. This lifelong obsession fuels me.
I had NO idea so many would THANK ME. I wish they’d back it up with a few dollars. Decades of poverty takes its toll.
Means less photos and stories shared.
I laugh and smile and delighted reading these comments.
So great to see so many who feel like I do.
THE CLASH REMAIN the most vital, fascinating, exciting band ever. And I can’t wait to share an amazing variety of photos I took in California and England.
IF anyone doubts just how punk I was, of course they just need to look at my photos. I was in homes and backstage with no other photographer. Had to be in-crowd on ground zero to do that!
But I also have a few onscreen appearances. When no one else was dancing. Or wearing a Clash armband. Which their Road Manager, Johnny Green, gave me the previous Oct 10, 1979, after our wild night together. After the Clash show in San Diego. Just getting home to West Hollywood is a story!
For another time!
So enjoy the vid and the comments!!
@punkpioneersjennylenspix: LOVE seeing ME dancing so wildly! I really wanted to photograph this, but so glad I didn’t just to have something to prove I was lived this punk lifestyle. How else did I get a ticket to this show? I knew their roadies. AMAZING band. Always THE BEST to photograph!! Had to fly to England to shoot them the following June. Still BEST EVER!!!
@davidallen346: Topper Headon what a badass drummer
@JennyLens: Clash singing Working for the Clampdown. I’m DANCING in the blue dress. Yep, I knew and photographed the Clash. Perfect song for US elections. We’re working for the clampdown. Wish the Clash were still around to speak truth to power.
300 likes to my comment!!! 30 Comments!
Wish I had their emails!!
@steveburns9146: You are the girl in the blue dress who “gets it”???? Amazing!!!
@holypaper: That’s so cool! I love your site! However, I am still going to pretend Mick is Jerry Seinfeld and you are Elaine.
@punkpioneersjennylenspix: @holypaper Thanks for the laff! I’ll take it! I love the way Elaine dances! LOL.
@holypaper: @punkpioneersjennylenspix Haha. I actually used some of her moves at a ska show back in the day. Ska shows is where bad dancing is celebrated.
@srrecords: You said it, Jenny! More relevant now than then, perhaps. Amazing music. Put your photos up somewhere or in a book!
@andyexall8214: Jenny you are a legend, well done for going for it!
@kustomhooligans: Jenny Lens+ I SA and Im thinking “Is she the only person in the room who feels it?”
You rawk Jen! Got any good Joe Strummer stories youd care to share with us mere mortals?
i have a Clash story…….About 15 years ago when I was 19, I was wrongfully arrested and jailed(which was rare cuz the cops were usually right lol). So the Detroit News, Toronto News and 2 other newspapers came out and met me at a local bowling alley to interview me and take pictures. Being the devoted anti-establishment, punk rock kid I am I wanted to make some kind of statement, so I had my girlfriend drive back to my house while they were interviewing me and bring back my London Calling shirt. I wore the shirt for all the photos they took, I remember one of the photographers was even a Clash fan! The next day I run to the news stand and ME AND MY CLASH SHIRT WERE ON THE COVER!!! It was awesome!
@scwells68: Jenny Lens is a national treasure! Thanks for all of your work and documenting all that you did to preserve this era. I am forever indebted!
@blidge8282: I have a slight crush on you just because of the dancing. I didn’t exist when this was broadcast, but thank you for all that you have done!
@AnthonyBurrito1313: JENNY YOU ARE AWESOME!!! Love your BOOK!! I love you!! I love your talent! I love your vision!!!
@ValhallaCanyon: Jenny, you rock!
@rcstafford1: fashion is ok. but i’d like the world to get better,
@AnthonyBurrito1313: I love you
@PatrickCSheehy: you fucking rock jen
@lancashirebomber9744: you lucky bugger.
@ottaviodanastasio9818: Awwwwwesomesauce!!!
@wbfojnewton1: Never listen to The Clash very much but today I heard Beto mention Clampdown as a motivator……..and you are in this video,pretty awesome.
@henrycharles3533: Great to read your connection to The Clash and see you dancing Jenny. If only more people had ‘got it’ during that time, maybe we wouldnt be surrounded by so many apathetic, ignorant dumbed down narcassists now.
@2onefivebroadst635: U were so off beat but that’s awesome you were there
@JennyLens: @2onefivebroadst635 I cannot keep a beat or sing in tune, that’s fer sure! BUT I SURE CAN TAKE GREAT LIVE ROCK PHOTOS. So we all have different gifts. I have so much admiration for musicians cos I lack all talent in that area. In addition to photos, I created art in many media, was in many student and juried shows, galleries, museums while in college. I earned my MFA in Design before I shot punk. I got my camera to photograph my art, not to take photos! LOL.
AND I had to teach myself everything about photography. Rolling film, developing film, making prints AND how to deal with record companies, clubs, big venues, groups, managers, etc.
I could do all that. But keep the beat? Nope. And the beat goes on …
@bittoraltuna1538: respect jenny!!! you were dancing like everybody should….for me the best song of the clashh….how gratefull you are to live that moment… the only band that matters for ever!!!
@JennyLens: [response to a delete comment] Yeah, talk to me in 41 years AFTER your work stolen and you haven’t made a cent. YOU take photos and carry on. You think I’m not carrying on punk tradition? NAME ME ONE photographer who bothered to scan and post and write as much as I have! FU. How’s that for Punk Attitude? Yeah, I have photos in that doc too. @Sanguis Rusticus
@jeffreyestes200: @JennyLens did you take the iconic photo of the bassist axing his instrument??
@JennyLens: Sorry no, the great shot by my fave rock photographer, Pennie Smith! She was on the side of the stage, saw the frustration in Paul’s face, and was ready to take that iconic shot. She’s British and shot it in England. I have her Clash photo book. Pennie Smith is a great, great photographer. Check her out.