Founding Member of Iconic '70s Rock Band Turns 70
Punk rock history would not sound quite the same without Terry Chimes.
The drummer and founding member of The Clash turns 70 on July 5, marking another milestone for a musician whose work helped shape one of the most influential rock bands of the 1970s.
Chimes was part of The Clash's original lineup, joining Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Keith Levene as the group began taking form in London in 1976. Though his time with the band came in multiple stretches, his place in its story was established early.
He played drums on the band's 1977 self-titled debut album, which helped introduce The Clash's raw, urgent sound to a wider audience. On the album, Chimes was credited under the name Tory Crimes, a play on his own name that was fitting for the band's early punk-focused image.
The Clash quickly became one of the defining bands of the punk era, known for combining rock, reggae, ska, dub and social commentary into a sound that stretched far beyond one scene. While later albums brought the group even more attention, the band's first record remains a key part of its legacy.
Chimes later returned to The Clash in the early 1980s, joining the band again after Topper Headon's departure. His second major run with the group included touring during the Combat Rock era, when The Clash reached a massive international audience.
Outside of The Clash, Chimes also built a multifaceted rock career. He played with Generation X, Hanoi Rocks, The Cherry Bombz and Black Sabbath, showing a range that extended well beyond the punk movement he helped launch.
However, after years of playing with major rock acts, Chimes eventually found that the success came with a lifestyle he no longer wanted.
Speaking on The Chris Moyles Show, he said that "after 15 years of that," he "kind of had enough of being on the road and traveling and all the craziness." He also joked that the music business was "full of crazy people," while his own health-focused lifestyle made chiropractic work feel like a better fit.
In 2003, Chimes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Clash, solidifying his place in rock history alongside the band he helped form.
Though he eventually stepped away from the music industry and pursued a career in chiropractic care, Chimes' impact remains tied to one of the most important groups of the 1970s. As he turns 70, his work with The Clash continues to stand as part of the sound that changed rock music for generations.
Related: '80s Glam Metal Icon and Lead Singer of Beloved Supergroup Turns 70
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM.