Making of ‘Paul Simonon at the New York Palladium, September 21st, 1979 (by Pennie Smith, 1979), 2016

The story behind the photograph…

On the night of 21 September 1979, British photographer Pennie Smith (b. 1949) was photographing The Clash performing at New York’s Palladium as part of their ‘The Clash Take the Fifth’ US tour. Smith was well known for photographing bands, and had made her name working as a staff photographer for NME magazine. During the concert, the generally mild-mannered bassist Paul Simonon became irritated by the quietness of the audience, who were not allowed to get up out of their seats, and began smashing his Fender Precision bass against the stage floor. When, three months later, the band came to select an image for the cover of their album London Calling, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer was in favour of featuring Smith’s photograph. She demurred, as the image was slightly out of focus (she had been backing away from Simonon as she photographed him, to avoid being hit). Strummer convinced her that the shot should be used. In 2002, Q magazine named it the ‘Greatest Rock ’n’ Roll Photograph of All Time’. The remains of Simonon’s smashed bass are held in the permanent collection of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.