Sex Pistols

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The Sex Pistols (formed 1975) The Sex Pistols are an English punk band, formed in London. The band originally consisted of Johnny Rotten on vocals (b. John Lydon), Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums and Glen Matlock on bass. Matlock was later replaced by Sid Vicious (b. John Simon Ritchie).

Formation: Steve Jones and Paul Cook were originally members of the band The Strand. They hung out at Don Lett's Acme Attractions and Let It Rock, a clothes shop owned by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood. Other punk stars known to hang out there were Soo Catwoman, Mick Jones of The Clash, Jah Wobble, Marco Pirroni and Captain Sensible.

McLaren took over the management of the band and recruited Matlock and Rotten in 1975. Rotten was chosen after miming along to Alice Cooper's 'I'm Eighteen' on the shop jukebox. Even at this early stage, the band had a group of followers known as the Bromley Contingent, which included Steve Severin, Siouxsie Sioux and Billy Idol in their number.

Glen Matlock arranged the band's first gig as The Sex Pistols, at St. Martins College. The band was unable to finish their set before the plug was pulled on them.

Rise to Notoriety: In 1976, the band started playing at bigger venues, including the 100 Club and the Nashville club in London. The band's first major gig outside of London was at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall. Arranged by Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley (later of the Buzzcocks), many attendants of the gig went on to form their own punk bands.

In 1976, the Sex Pistols signed to EMI. Their debut single 'Anarchy in the UK' was released that November. The next month, they were invited as last minute guests of Bill Grundy's Today show. Along with members of the Bromley Contingent, they caused a national uproar by swearing on the live, early evening broadcast. EMI released the band from their contract in January 1977.

Glen Matlock left the band in February 1977 and was replaced by Sid Vicious, who had previously played drums in Siouxsie & The Banshees. Vicious was selected on account of his image and was barely able to play his bass guitar. His amp was often turned off during live gigs and most recordings were done by Matlock or Jones.

In March 1977, the band signed to A&M Records, only to have the contract withdrawn six days later. Their final deal was signed with Virgin Records in May 1977.

The band's second single 'God Save the Queen' was banned by the BBC, but failed to stop the single reaching number two in the UK singles chart, the same week of Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee.

The band's debut album, Never Mind The Bollocks: Here's the Sex Pistols was released in October 1977.

The Demise: In 1978, a tour of the USA proved to be too much for the band. Plagued by in-fighting, receiving negative responses from their audiences and with Sid Vicious' heroin addiction spiraling out of control, the tour descended into chaos.

The band's final gig was at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom. They performed one song: a cover of Iggy & the Stooges' 'No Fun' before Rotten asked the audience "ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" and walked offstage.

After the Break-up: Johnny Rotten reverted to his original name, John Lydon and formed Public Image Ltd with Keith Levene and Jah Wobble.

Sid Vicious' girlfriend Nancy Spungen was found dead on 12th October 1978, in the Chelsea Hotel. The cause of death was stab wounds to her stomach. Vicious was charged with her murder, as well as assaulting Patti Smith's brother, Todd Smith, with a beer glass. When released on bail, on 2nd February 1979, Sid died of a heroin overdose, aged 21. He never stood trial for the murder.

Reunions: The band have staged a number of comeback gigs. Firstly, in 1996, the original four members played the six-month, worldwide Filthy Lucre Tour. In 2003, they toured North America, for their Piss Off tour. They then played five gigs in the UK in 2007 and announced a series of festival appearances (the Combine Harvester Tour) in 2008.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

From Love & Mercy To Sid & Nancy: 7 Best Musical Biopics Of All Time


Brian Wilson Paul Dano Ice Cube Sam Riley JOY DIVISION Sex Pistols Johnny Cash Chadwick Boseman Bob Dylan

Here at Contactmusic, we can't get enough of a good musical biopic whether it's 'The Runaways', 'The Doors' or 'Nowhere Boy' - the list is endless. There are only a handful, however, that make for a truly evocative and memorable experience of some of the most influential artists in the world.

Here are our seven favourite musical biopics of all time:

Paul Dano in 'Love & Mercy'Paul Dano in 'Love & Mercy'

Continue reading: From Love & Mercy To Sid & Nancy: 7 Best Musical Biopics Of All Time

One-Album Trailblazers: 10 Legendary Artists That Didn't Get Past Their First Record


Lauryn Hill Sex Pistols

You'd be amazed at how many artists there are out there who have had such a lasting impact on musical culture despite not having contributed much actual music at all. Bands like Joy Division, the Stone Roses and N.W.A. only ever released two albums apiece and we're still talking about them today.

But what about those artists that never got beyond their debut studio album?

Lauryn Hill - 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'Lauryn Hill - 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'

Continue reading: One-Album Trailblazers: 10 Legendary Artists That Didn't Get Past Their First Record

Why You Shouldn't Be Surprised That Johnny Rotten Is Defending Donald Trump


John Lydon Donald Trump Sex Pistols

John Lydon (better known as Johnny Rotten) has caused some degree of shock among fans after speaking out in defence of President Donald Trump during an interview on 'Good Morning Britain'. But, really, no-one should be surprised about what he has to say.

John Lydon at the ITV StudiosJohn Lydon seen outside the ITV Studios

While promoting his limited edition artistic endeavour entitled 'Mr Rotten's Songbook', the former Sex Pistols star opened up about his feelings on America's leader, himself being a US citizen despite having been born and raised in London. 

Continue reading: Why You Shouldn't Be Surprised That Johnny Rotten Is Defending Donald Trump

Sex Pistols Memorabilia Up In Flames For 'Burn Punk London' Movement


Sex Pistols

Joe Corré - the son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood - has burned an estimated £5 million worth of punk memorabilia during a protest in London, to show his antipathy towards the 40th anniversary celebratory events going on in the city in tribute to the Sex Pistols' debut single. 

Sex PistolsSex Pistols memorabilia burned by Joe Corre

The protest took place on Saturday (November 26th 2016) on a barge at Cadogan Pier and included setting fire to effigies of former Prime Minister David Cameron, former Major of London Boris Johnson, current Prime Minister Theresa May and Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt, labelling them 'a new band: EXTINCTION!'. His mother, highly respected fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, showed her support for her son at the event.

Continue reading: Sex Pistols Memorabilia Up In Flames For 'Burn Punk London' Movement

Graffiti-Filled Former Sex Pistols Home Given Grade 2 Listed Status


Sex Pistols John Lydon Malcolm McLaren

A London building, which was once home to the Sex Pistols in the mid-1970s, has been awarded Grade 2* Listed Status by heritage body Historic England. Number 6 and 7 Denmark Street in Tin Pan Alley have both been given the second highest form of listing and will be persevered, despite the redevelopment currently happening in the area.

john LydonThe Sex Pistols’ former home is now a listed building.

The building, a former silversmith’s workshop attached to a townhouse, was graffitied by Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon after he moved in during the mid-1970s. Lydon’s graffiti includes a drawing of the band’s manager Malcolm McLaren, holding a wad of cash and captioned “Muggerage”.

Continue reading: Graffiti-Filled Former Sex Pistols Home Given Grade 2 Listed Status

John Lydon Claims He Was Banned From The BBC Because He Spoke Out About Jimmy Savile


John Lydon Sex Pistols Piers Morgan

John Lydon has said that his ban from BBC radio for speaking out against Jimmy Savile at the start of his career still rankles with him nearly forty years later.

Lydon, the former lead singer of punk icons the Sex Pistols and now the post-punk veterans Public Image Ltd., gave an interview back in 1978 in which he said the disgraced former presenter Savile was “into all sorts of seediness. We all know about it but we’re not allowed to talk about it. I know some rumours.”

Speaking to Piers Morgan for his 'Life Stories' show, the 59 year old said: “I’m very, very bitter that the likes of Savile and the rest of them were allowed to continue. I did my bit, I said what I had to. But they didn’t air that.”

Continue reading: John Lydon Claims He Was Banned From The BBC Because He Spoke Out About Jimmy Savile

Ever Get The Feeling You've Been Cheated? The Soul Of Punk Dies As Sex Pistols Credit Cards Are Unveiled


Sex Pistols Richard Branson John Lydon

Virgin Money has unveiled a new range of credit cards featuring punk-themed designs based around the artwork of Sex Pistols albums and singles. That noise you just felt was punk’s final death rattle, by the way.

The bank has rolled out three designs for the new cards, two of which are variations on the artwork for the Pistols’ seminal 1977 album Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (the only proper studio LP they ever recorded), and a third which uses the cover of 1976 single ‘Anarchy In The UK’.

John LydonWhat we imagined John Lydon's face looked like when he heard this news

Continue reading: Ever Get The Feeling You've Been Cheated? The Soul Of Punk Dies As Sex Pistols Credit Cards Are Unveiled

New Model Army And Glen Matlock Added For Camden Rocks 2015 Ahead Of 'Special Headliner' Announcement


New Model Army Glen Matlock Sex Pistols Jaws Funeral For A Friend Dinosaur Pile-Up Turbowolf And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead

New Model Army and ex Sex Pistols' bassist Glen Matlock are among the newly announced additions to London's coolest rock event, Camden Rocks 2015, which will take place in May across some of Camden's hottest and most recognisable venues.

Jaws promo
Jaws also join the Camden Rocks 2015 line-up

80s post-punk legends New Model Army join the already electric line-up alongside Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols, Birmingham's Jaws, post-hardcore four-piece Glamour of the Kill and Australia born bluesy duo The Graveltones according to the latest announcement for the festival, which is set to arrive on May 30th 2015, with a very special headliner who is yet to be unveiled.

Continue reading: New Model Army And Glen Matlock Added For Camden Rocks 2015 Ahead Of 'Special Headliner' Announcement

Bottled Off: 10 Bands Who Suffered Worse Fate Than Macaulay Culkin's Pizza Underground


Macaulay Culkin Leeds & Reading Festival 50 Cent Steel Pulse Green Day My Chemical Romance Panic At The Disco Foo Fighters Sex Pistols Lethal Bizzle Cher Lloyd

Macaulay Culkin and his pizza-themed Velvet Underground cover band, the imaginatively named The Pizza Underground, suffered the chagrin of a disgruntled crown in Nottingham during the city’s annual Dot To Dot festival. Culkin, who was by this point half-way through a European tour, beat a hasty retreat from the stage after being drenched with beer.

Culkin Wears Paint Covered Jeans
Macaulay isn't the first star to feel the audience's ire.

It proved, that in this age of disconnect, where audience members can turn to the comforts of smart phones during lacklustre gigs, music fans are still eager to openly voice their displeasure. Only a few days later, Culkin announced the cancellation of the remaining tour dates. He has not openly cited the event as the primary motivation for such a cancellation, but it seems all too obvious that the hostile reception he received had severely impacted the decision. Macaulay is far from being the first to suffer the wrath of an embittered crowd and few are safe from the ramifications of a poor or ill-judged performance. Here are ten examples of performers receiving a severe dressing down from irate audiences:

Continue reading: Bottled Off: 10 Bands Who Suffered Worse Fate Than Macaulay Culkin's Pizza Underground

Virgin Records Anniversary - '40 Years Of Disruptions' - A Series Of Events Celebrating The Labels Rich History Involving Artists Past And Present

Posted on20 May 2013

Virgin Records Anniversary - '40 Years Of Disruptions' -  A Series Of Events Celebrating The Labels Rich History Involving Artists Past And Present

Adam Ant and Sex Pistols - Adam Ant aka Stuart Goddard leaving the Holy Trinity Church in Marylebone McLaren, The former Sex Pistols manager died of mesothelioma on April 8th, 2010 London, England - after a funeral service for the late Malcolm McLaren Thursday 22nd April 2010

Adam Ant and Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols

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