Sid Vicious - Life History Part 4

Sid Vicious - History Part 4

1977 was the Silver Jubilee and John had produced the lyrics to ensure the name Sex Pistols would not soon forgotten. Originally known as No Future, the song God Save the Queen led to attacks on John and Paul along with their record producer Chris Thomas. An attempt to release the record on A&M was shelved with virtually all the copies destroyed.

Richard Branson realised it was vital to get this record out as soon as they could. God Save the Queen was released June 27th, supported by a promo video shot at London's Marquee it was however almost universally banned throughout the UK. Sid had recently be released from hospital being treated for Hepatitis C and was developing an increasing appetite for Heroin aided by his new found erstwhile love Nancy. The single sold enough copies to ensure a number 1 chart position. However, there was no way the chart people would allow this in Jubilee week, so officially Rod Stewart was number 1.

Banned up and down the country they hit on the idea of hiring a boat down the Thames, performing their songs as they passed the Houses of Parliament and sailed under the bridges of London. Playing a shortened set, the whole boat trip was prematurely ended when the boat they were playing on was boarded by the police and the party was brought to an abrupt end. Various arrests took place but the Sex Pistols managed to make a discrete get away.

Meanwhile Sid and Nancy descended into a 24/7 life of drugs and sex. The band had not played live for a considerable period. A hasty tour of Scandinavia was put together and on their return in order to beat council bans they began performing under various pseudonyms including SPOTS. Sex Pistols on Tour Secretly was how the tour has become known.

By the end of November it was believed that Nancy was only achieving one thing, that was the gradual destruction of Sid and it was decided to attempt to put her on a plane and ship her back to America. The plan predictably failed and as a result Sid and Nancy pulled together even more; it was them against the world and nothing was going to split them up.

On Christmas Day the Sex Pistols played their last gig in England it was in Huddersfield. This was a benefit gig for miners and their families, the early show was for the children at which Johnny became involved in a cream pie fight, Sid and Nancy spending time with the kids. A happy time which gave no suggestion of what was to follow during their first and final tour of the United States. At this gig Sid was left to do vocal duties on two songs, Chinese Rocks and Born to Lose, Sid was finally the front man of the group he loved.