Paul Simonon

Paul Gustave Simonon (born December 15, 1955) is an English musician and artist best known as the bassist for the Clash. Born in Thornton Heath, Croydon, Surrey, Simonon grew up in Brixton and Ladbroke Grove in London. Before joining the Clash, he had aspirations of becoming an artist and studied at Byam Shaw School of Art. Simonon's musical career took off when he joined the Clash in 1976, contributing to their influential punk rock sound. After the Clash disbanded in 1986, Simonon went on to work on various musical projects, including the supergroup the Good, the Bad & the Queen and collaborating with the Gorillaz. He is also an accomplished visual artist.