Today in random birthday wishes: Paul Simonon of the Clash

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Happy Birthday, Paul Simonon! (📷: Pennie Smith) On September 20, 1979, the Clash’s Paul Simonon swung his Fender Precision Bass over his head and smashed it into the stage at the Palladium (126 E 14th St.). It was a spontaneous act of frustration that, thanks to photographer Pennie Smith, has become one of the most iconic images in the history of rock & roll as the cover of the group’s third album, London Calling. - Excerpt from our book, the Rock and Roll Explorer Guide to New York City #paulsimonon #theclash #thegoodthebadandthequeen #penniesmith #rrexplorernyc

A post shared by Rock & Roll Explorer Guide NYC (@rrexplorernyc) on Dec 15, 2018 at 4:50am PST

This interview with Simonon from 2011 has more about him smashing his bass at the Palladium (now an NYU dorm) on 14th Street between Third Avenue and Irving. That bit starts at the 3:10 mark...



... and an undated photo (without a credit) looking west on 14th Street at Third Avenue with the Palladium on the left...



... and why not, again...

When the Palladium came down

Speaking of 14th Street and Third Avenue... James and Karla Murray passed along the above shot that they came across in their archives — a mural revealed during the Palladium demolition... the view is looking east on 14th Street ... The Palladium closed in 1999 and was later torn down to make way for the NYU dorm of the same name...