Paul Simonon
Paul Gustave Simonon (/ˈsɪmənən/; born 15 December 1955) is an English musician and artist best known as the bassist for the Clash. More recent work includes his involvement in the supergroup the Good, the Bad & the Queen and playing on the Gorillaz album Plastic Beach in 2010, which saw Simonon reunite with The Clash guitarist Mick Jones and Blur frontman Damon Albarn – and which also led to Simonon becoming the live band's touring bassist for Gorillaz's Escape to Plastic Beach Tour. Simonon is also an established visual artist.[1]
Not to be confused with Paul Simon.
Paul Simonon
Paul Gustave Simonon
15 December 1955
Thornton Heath, Croydon, England
Bass guitarist, visual artist, vocalist, songwriter
Bass guitar, guitar, vocals, harmonica
1976–1993, 2006–present
Early life[edit]
Simonon was born in Thornton Heath, Croydon, Surrey.[2] His father, Gustave, was an amateur artist and his mother, Elaine, was a librarian. Simonon's paternal grandfather was a Belgian refugee who came to England during the First World War.[3][4] Paul grew up in both the London areas of Brixton and Ladbroke Grove. Before joining the Clash, he had planned to become an artist. He studied at Byam Shaw School of Art (then based in Campden St, Kensington),[5] which he attended on scholarship.[6]