Mick Jones (The Clash)

Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones (born 26 June 1955) is the former lead guitarist, secondary vocalist and co-founder for the British punk rock band The Clash until his dismissal in 1983. He went on to form the band Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts before line-up changes led to the formation of Big Audio Dynamite II and later Big Audio. He now plays with Carbon Silicon along with his lifelong friend, Tony James and is currently touring the world as part of the Gorillaz live band (which also includes former Clash member Paul Simonon).

Early life

Jones was born in Brixton, South London, England to a Welsh father and a Russian Jewish mother. He spent much of his early life living with his maternal grandmother, Stella, in South London. Jones' cousin is Grant Shapps, the Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield. Jones went to Strand School – and then on to art school, because " thought that's how you get into bands and stuff".



He started gaining recognition as a guitarist in the early '70s with his glam rock band, The Delinquents. A short time later, he met Tony James and formed the proto-punk London SS. By 1976, that band had broken up and remaining members Jones, Paul Simonon and Keith Levene were seeking a new direction.Related news articles:

The Clash

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