Who Is on the Cover of London Calling?

By Alice Nichols

London Calling is a classic album by the British punk rock band The Clash, released in 1979. The album cover is one of the most iconic in rock history, featuring a photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his guitar on stage during a show in New York City.

The photograph was taken by Pennie Smith, who was the official photographer for The Clash. Smith initially thought the photo was too out of focus to be used for the album cover, but the band disagreed and chose it as the cover image.

The image captures the energy and rebellion of punk rock, with Simonon’s raw emotion and defiance on full display. The guitar smash also symbolizes The Clash’s rejection of mainstream music culture and their desire to create something new and authentic.

Interestingly, Simonon has said that he regrets smashing his guitar on stage that night, as he couldn’t afford to buy a new one at the time. He also admits that he didn’t realize at the time how iconic the photograph would become.

In addition to Simonon’s image, the London Calling album cover also features bold black and pink lettering inspired by Elvis Presley’s debut album cover. The design has become synonymous with punk rock and rebellion.

Overall, London Calling is not only a landmark album in music history but also a visual masterpiece with its unforgettable album cover. Paul Simonon’s guitar smash captured perfectly on film by Pennie Smith will forever be an enduring symbol of punk rock rebellion.