Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols were, despite their short existence, one of the most influential English punk bands. While The Clash were perhaps more articulate and politically motivated, and Buz

The Sex Pistols were, despite their short existence, one of the most influential English punk bands. While The Clash were perhaps more articulate and politically motivated, and Buzzcocks had more astute pop sensibilities, The Pistols achieved more recognition through their iconic punk rock passion and flamboyancy, and no other band of the era made such a lasting impression on British popular culture. In November 2005, it was announced that they would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Originally called The Strand (in reference to a song by Roxy Music), the band was formed during 1972 by Paul Cook (drums), Steve Jones (vocals) and Wally Nightingale (guitar). During 1973 the band members began to frequent a 1950s-style clothes shop called 'Let It Rock' in the Kings Road, Chelsea area of London. Here they met the shop's manager, Malcolm McLaren. Jones, being aware that McLaren had some connections within the music business, asked if he would be interested in becoming the group's manager, although at the time McLaren declined. Del Noone, who they met at the shop, was recruited to play bass. By 1974, the group called themselves The Swankers and played their very first gig at a birthday party of a friend of Cook's at Tom Salter's Café in London. They also began rehearsing in a studio called the 'Crunchy Frog', near London's docklands. Noone left the band shortly afterwards because he was becoming unreliable and not turning up at rehearsals.