Paul Simonon (born December 15, 1955 in Brixton, London, England) is best known as the bass guitarist for punk rock band The Clash. He grew up in the South London area of Brixton. Before joining the Clash, he had planned to become an artist. He was asked to join The Clash in 1976 by lead guitarist Mick Jones, who planned to teach Simonon guitar. However, the instrument proved too difficult for Simonon, so Jones decided to teach him bass instead. He is credited with coming up with the name of the band and was mainly responsible for the visual aspects such as clothing & stage backdrops. He was also immortalized on the front cover of the band's double album "London Calling"; Pennie Smith's image of him smashing his bass has become one of the iconic pictures of the punk era. Paul Simonon wrote three of the Clash's songs: "The Guns of Brixton" on London Calling, "The Crooked Beat" on Sandinista!, and the B-side "Long Time

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