Photo credit: Pete Vernon / EMI

UMPG publish John Lydon's share of the Sex Pistols catalogue for USA & Canada

The Sex Pistols may have only been together for two years in the late '70s, but they changed the face of popular music. Through their raw, nihilistic singles and violent performances, the band revolutionized the idea of what rock ‘n’ roll could be. Countless bands were inspired by the sheer sonic force of their music and their independent, do-it-yourself ethics.  The band gave birth to the massive independent music underground in England and America that couldn’t have existed without the Sex Pistols' initial three-minute blasts of rage.

Guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook were regulars at a boutique owned by their manager, Malcolm McLaren; bassist Glen Matlock worked at the store. Vocalist John Lydon, who would later perform under the name Johnny Rotten, met the rest of the group at the shop and was asked to join the band. Whilst the band played simple rock & roll loudly and abrasively, Johnny Rotten arrogantly sang of anarchy, abortion, violence, fascism, and apathy. 

The publicity caused by their caustic first single ‘Anarchy in the U.K.’  caused the band to be dropped by their record label, EMI. After releasing one album, ‘Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols’, in 1977, the band headed over to the US for a tour in January of 1978; it lasted 14 days and the band split up shortly afterwards. 

In the two decades following the Sex Pistols' implosion, an endless stream of outtakes, demos, repackagings, and live shows were released on a variety of labels, which only helped their cult grow. 

In 1996, to celebrate their impending twentieth anniversary, the Sex Pistols reunited, with original bassist Glen Matlock taking the place of the deceased Sid Vicious, and the band embarked on an international tour. 

2007 was the 30th Anniversary of ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’. The album is just as powerful and fresh now as it was 30 years ago. It’s an album that has inspired countless musicians and individuals worldwide since its original release in October 1977. And an album that will continue to inspire – forever.