09/21/2026
When The Clash arrived in New York on September 20 to play two shows at the Palladium, the most famous incident occurred during the band's second performance at the venue: Paul Simonon, frustrated by the distance he felt between the group and the audience, smashed his bass against the stage floor while playing "White Riot." Photographer Pennie Smith captured the moment, and at the suggestion of artist Ray Lowry, the image was chosen as the cover for 'London Calling'.
"[The cover] was taken at the Palladium in New York. It was towards the end of a two or three month tour. I just twigged Paul looking really pi**ed off. I thought, that’s unusual, he actually looks cross rather than studiously Paul-ish. He just got crosser and crosser. I got my camera ready and thought I’d snap him looking really pi**ed off if he turned my way a bit and then I saw the bass go up in the air and thought, ‘Blimey, that’s not the way you play bass.’ I took a picture and then one of the crew moved straight in front of me, I think in order to grab the bass. I ducked round him and got the shot just as the bass was on the cusp of coming down."
Pennie Smith, 2004
“The night that photo was taken, the frustrating thing was the sound wasn’t particularly good and the audience weren’t allowed to stand up and dance. When you get annoyed you tend to smash things. Well, I do. Things that you love or whatever.”
Paul Simonon, 2004
