Mick Jones (The Clash) - Early Life

Early Life

Jones was born in Wandsworth, 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".

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. —Mick Jones to Gibson Backstage Pass Holiday Double Issue 2006

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.