Mick Jones had a band called London S.S. with Bernard Rhodes who would become later The Clash s manager. Paul Simonon joined the London S.S. at its last legs. After, they decided to start all over again in a new band. Mick Jones decided to teach Paul Simonon how to play guitar, but as Paul had never played that instrument, it was too difficult for him. So they decided he should play bass, because it s easier and has only four strings, as Paul said once.
     
      They got Keith Levene as another guitarist and Terry Chimes as drummer. Bernard Rhodes was becoming the band s manager. Paul and Mick met Joe Strummer once, and Bernard asked him if he would like to join the band. Joe Strummer had another band (called The 101 ers) and was more musically experienced than the others by that time. He joined them on 31st May 1976, and Mick Jones said that it was a great deal getting Joe, because of that. Keith left the band, because the others said he wasn t into their project, so they voted him out. After, Terry Chimes left the band too. By that time The Clash consisted of only Mick Jones,... (More Clash Biography)