Punk Icon Mclaren Dead At 64

The punk icon died in New York on Thursday morning (08Apr10), his agent has confirmed.

MCLaren began his career in the London fashion scene in 1971 when he opened a clothing store called Let It Rock with his then-partner, designer Vivienne Westwood.

He became involved in the British music scene in the 1970s after setting up his own record label. He met the New York Dolls and negotiated a deal to supply the glam rock group with stage outfits.

He later became their manager and cemented his place in rock history when he took charge of The Strand, the group which would later hire Johnny Rotten as its frontman and become the Sex Pistols.

MCLaren also made a name for himself as a performer in his own right, and released four solo albums between 1983 and 1998.

MCLaren is survived by his son with Westwood, Joseph Cure, who co-founded lingerie shop Agent Provocateur.

Ironically, his death comes the morning after Lydon, who became MCLaren's arch-foe after the break-up of the Pistols, launched his U.S. comeback with Public Image Limited on late-night TV show Jimmy Kimmel Live!