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Michael Geoffrey Jones (born June 26 , 1955 ), better known as Mick Jones, is an English guitarist and singer, best known for his work with The Clash . He should not be confused with the other Mick Jones who was the guitarist in the Classic Rock bands Spooky Tooth and Foreigner . THE CLASH Jones was born in Brixton , South London , England to a Welsh father and a mother of Russia n Jewish descent. He lived much of his early life in his grandma, Stella's, house. Before he helped start up The Clash, he was in the legendary proto-punk band London SS who only recorded one demo and never played a gig. London SS' other members included such punk luminaries as Tony James , Rat Scabies , Paul Simonon and Terry Chimes . After London SS dissolved, Mick tried to form many new bands with good friend Tony James. But all efforts ended in failure. Soon, Mick Jones worked with Paul Simonon, and helped teach him how to play the bass guitar. Soon, they found a lead singer in Joe Strummer (who Mick and Paul first saw singing for the pub rock band, the 101'ers), a lead guitar player in Keith Levene (who left before the band recorded an album). They also brought on Terry Chimes as drummer (later to be replaced by Topper Headon ). It is during this time that the group first became known as "The Clash". Jones played lead guitar, sang and was a co-writer with Strummer from the band's inception until he was fired by Strummer and Simonon in 1983. He played on 5 of the bands' 6 albums and produced the original version of the Combat Rock album which was scrapped and later bootlegged under the name ''Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg''. BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE After his expulsion from The Clash, Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite (often shorted to BAD) in 1984 with film director Don Letts who directed various Clash videos and, later, the Clash documentary, '' Westway To The World ''. The band's debut album, '' This Is Big Audio Dynamite '', was released the following year with the song E=MC2 getting heavy rotation in dance clubs. For Big Audio Dynamite's second record, Mick Jones reunited with Joe Strummer. Together, the two wrote several songs on the album, including "Beyond The Pale", "V.Thirteen", and "Sightsee M.C.". Strummer also co-produced the album. This reunion did not last long: Jones and Strummer would not work together again for some time. Big Audio Dynamite's third album, "Tighten Up, Vol.88" features cover art painted by ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon. During this time between recording records, Mick Jones developed pneumonia. He became extremely sick, and was brought to the hospital where he stayed for some time. For some dire times during this period, he was on the verge of death. After his recovery, Mick released one more album with Big Audio Dynamite before reshuffling the line-up and renaming the band Big Audio Dynamite II. This new line-up became popular in the US whilst support in the UK continued to eb, the songs "Rush" and "The Globe" and the album '' The Globe '' were moderate hits. The band was later renamed to Big Audio in the mid-90s. RECENT PROJECTS As of 2005 Mick has teamed up with former networks, and allow the audio and video taping of their shows. Their first song, "MPFree" is an anthem for P2P file sharing. Jones has also become an occasional producer. He was at the controls for London based band The Libertines debut album '' Up The Bracket ''. The CD was critically very well-received, both in the UK and USA. Jones stayed on to produce the band's second and final album, eponymously titled '' The Libertines ''. He also produced '' Down In Albion '', the debut album of former Libertines frontman Pete Doherty 's new group Babyshambles . EXTERNAL LINKS
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