I Just Want To Have Fun: The Sex Pistols

"I just want to have fun," said Sid Vicious, a 20 year old, then ex-bassist who wanted nothing more than just that. But who predicted the 'fun' the Sex Pistols have would impact the music scene for decades to come.

Sex Pistols

When you hear of the '70's, you think The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. You hear the constant drowning of love songs. You don't necessarily think of such a genre as Punk.  Originated in the '70's, amongst Funk, Pop and Soul, you had bands such as Minor Threat and Black Flag; the straight-edge punks who were left wing politico's, despite the fan's parent's beliefs.  Then, over in England, a band started their own: the Sex Pistols.


Having only one official album, Nevermind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, the young group didn't understand how influential they'd be. Composed of vocalist Johnny Rotten (John Lydon), guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassists Glen Matlock and Sid Vicious (John Ritchie). Matlock left in February of 1977, and was abruptly replaced by Vicious.  The four-piece that encouraged anarchy, british punk and leather would've been described as miscreants of youth, but there was something more to the band than people knew, or what they thought they knew. 


They bands success hit higher and harder than what they expected.  Their only album peaked at number one in the UK Album Charts in '77, went Gold that year, then 11 years later, Platinum.  Lydon's charisma not only as a person, but as a musician was the catalyst for their explosion on the scene. Although he may not look the type, Lydon was a strong minded person with politics and current affairs.  His intelligence repeatedly outwitted the media, as his left-wing beliefs continuously won any debate. These left-wing beliefs were put into words, then into music. Say the word 'anarchy', you'll find someone say back to you 'Anarchy in the UK.'  Literally going against the rules influenced a dependant youth.  Their music praised freedom, anti-corporate nonsense, and general chaos.  Jones once said in an interview 'We're not into music. We're into chaos.'

Nancy & Sid

This love of chaos became even more chaotic, and went on to become controversy.  In 1977, Lydon introduced Vicious to Sex Pistol fan, Nancy Spungen.  They two had a relationship for 23 months, and this love didn't have it's happy ending.  Upon meeting, Spungen was already a heavy drug addict, taking heroin on a regular basis.  She was also accused of introducing Vicious to heroin, which defeated him and his musical career.  Lydon later wrote, "We did everything to get rid of Nancy.... She was killing him. I was absolutely convinced this girl was on a slow suicide mission.... Only she didn't want to go alone. She wanted to take Sid with her.... She was so utterly fucked up and evil."On the October 12, 1978, 20 year old Spungen was found dead in her hotel room shared with Vicious with stab wounds to the chest.  He was charged with her murder, but pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.  He never gave a straight story, always conflicting reasons.  Vicious said "I never stabbed her. I loved her, but she treated me like shit"

Months later, when released on bail, drug free after detox, Sid committed suicide on an over-dose of heroin that his mother bought him.  Found in his jacket pocket was his suicide note which Sid wrote:

"We had a death pact, and I have to keep my half of the bargain. Please bury me next to my baby in my leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. Goodbye."

Sid was never buried next to Nancy, but his mother has claimed to has scattered some of his ashes over her grave. 


The Pistols began and ended on the same note: chaos. Almost 40 years on, the Sex Pistols are very much alive, loved and respected.  Lydon continued on with his band PiL (Public image Limited), where he helped finance a reunion by featuring in a Country Life Butter advert.  In 2006, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Sex Pistols, but the band refused to attend the ceremony, calling it a "piss stain" and stating that it went against everything the band stood for.

Forever the controversy, full of chaos, it's hard to forget what this band created, destroyed and influenced in their two year career that extended to a life time legacy.  Then again, who's trying to forget?