Clash rocker turns librarian of British pop history

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He's fought the law and rocked the Casbah but now punk-rocker Mick Jones is turning librarian.

The Clash guitarist opens his rock'n'roll library to the public today to inspire and educate music lovers.

Based under the Westway in Portobello Road, where Jones formed the band with Joe Strummer in 1976, the library draws on more than 10,000 items
taken from Jones's archive.

Jones said: "These are relics of the last century. A part of British music history. It's a very personal collection showing my passions but I don't want the library to be only for Clash fans. I hope it can be a resource and spark people's imaginations, create an idea of continual creativity."

Nearly 10 years in the making, the library grew out of attempts to bring some order to the guitarist's 30-year-old collection which he kept in a lock-up in Acton.

Kensington and Chelsea council has provided eight part-time librarians to guide visitors through the eclectic archives which include records, comics, books, films, models, posters and antiquated recording equipment.

It is a far cry from the traditional hushed library, with Jones's personal soundtrack featuring songs from the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan on constant playback in the background.

Visitors are also encouraged to interact with the objects by watching videos and using the latest colour scanners to make digital copies of old black-and-white fanzines. Pizza boxes from
Clash tours are placed alongside camouflage graffiti boots they wore on stage and bizarre hats, T-shirts and other memorabilia.

The bookshelves portray a mishmash of influences from popular culture to historical figures.

Jones, 54, will record music with young bands in his studio next door for the Strummerville Foundation for new music and will also perform under the Westway this month.

He said: "There's no doubt MySpace and the internet are the future of music but I still like
holding and reading an LP cover.

"We're doing this with the council but I don't think I'm now part of the music establishment. Part of the industry maybe but definitely not the establishment."