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St. Paul, Minn.

Iranian leader inspired the Clash, 'Rock the Casbah'

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Today's Morning Edition music is from 35 years ago today. After taking power during the Iranian Revolution, the Ayatollah Khomeini banned Western music in Iran. That move inspired the Clash to write "Rock the Casbah." It was the only song by the Clash to make it into the top ten on the U.S. pop charts. It was chosen by Armed Forces Radio as the first song broadcast on the service during Operation Desert Storm.