A single photograph of a bass guitar shattering against a New York City stage floor immortalized Paul Simonon during a 1979 performance. Beyond this singular moment of punk-era defiance, he established a career defined by a shift from visual arts to music, ultimately defining the low-end sound of a generation before returning to his original practice as a painter.
Early Development and Punk
Born in 1955 in London, Simonon spent his youth in Brixton and Ladbroke Grove. Before his immersion in music, he pursued formal training at the Byam Shaw School of Art on a scholarship. His trajectory changed in 1976 when Bernard Rhodes recommended him for a new group being formed by Mick Jones. Despite having no prior experience with an instrument, Simonon joined what became the Clash. He was instrumental in shaping the band's visual identity, designing clothing and stage backdrops, and is credited with selecting the group's name.
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Tasked with learning the bass because guitar proved difficult, Simonon initially struggled to mimic his influences. He eventually found his creative footing by analyzing reggae music, identifying with its groove-oriented structure. This influence led to a complex, contrapuntal style that distinguished him from his punk contemporaries. He relied heavily on a Fender Precision Bass throughout his tenure, often pairing the instrument with an Ampeg SVT amplifier to achieve a signature punchy tone.
Post-Clash Projects and Activism
Following the dissolution of the Clash in 1986, Simonon formed the band Havana 3am and recorded one album. He later collaborated with artists including Bob Dylan and Damon Albarn, eventually joining the group the Good, the Bad & the Queen. His involvement with the Gorillaz album Plastic Beach in 2010 preceded his role as their touring bassist. In 2011, he participated in a Greenpeace protest against Arctic oil drilling, serving as an assistant cook on the Esperanza before being briefly detained in Greenland.
Resuming Visual Art
Throughout his musical career, Simonon maintained his focus on painting, having exhibited in several galleries. His visual work extends to album design, including projects for Big Audio Dynamite and the Good, the Bad & the Queen. In 2023, he released the collaborative album Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day? with Galen Ayers, a project developed during the COVID-19 lockdown while he was writing music in Mallorca.
Fast facts
- Born: 1955, London, United Kingdom
- Primary Instrument: Fender Precision Bass
- Education: Byam Shaw School of Art
- Notable Band: The Clash
- Collaborative Project: The Good, the Bad & the Queen
- 2023 Release: Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day?
- Key Visual Design: Tighten Up, Vol. 88 cover
- Activism: Greenpeace vessel Esperanza, 2011
Questions readers ask
Did Paul Simonon write music for the Clash?
Yes, he sang lead vocals and helped write 'The Guns of Brixton'.
What happened to the bass guitar featured on the London Calling cover?
It was smashed by Simonon during a 1979 concert and is currently held at the Museum of London.
