Mick Jones (The Clash)

Mick Jones
Jones during his stint with Big Audio Dynamite (New York, 1987)
Background information
Birth name	Michael Geoffrey Jones
Born	(1955-06-26) 26 June 1955 (age 61) Wandsworth, London, England
Genres	Punk rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, bass guitar, keyboards, drums, harmonica
Years active	1975–present
Labels	CBS, I.R.S., Radioactive
Associated acts	The Clash, General Public, Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon, Gorillaz, London SS, The Wallflowers, The Libertines
Notable instruments
Gibson Les Paul Fender Telecaster

Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones (born 26 June 1955) is an English musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, cofounder and songwriter for The Clash until his dismissal in 1983. Afterwards, he formed the band Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts. Jones has recently played with the group Carbon/Silicon along with Tony James and has toured the world as part of the Gorillaz live band. In late 2011, Jones collaborated with Pete Wylie and members of The Farm to form The Justice Tonight Band.

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

But even before the Dolls, I used to follow bands around. I followed Mott the Hoople up and down the country. I'd go to Liverpool or Newcastle or somewhere—sleep on the Town Hall steps, and bunk the fares on the trains, hide in the toilet when the ticket inspector came around. I'd jump off just before the train got to the station and climb over the fence. It was great times, and I always knew I wanted to be in a band and play guitar. That was it for me.