The Sex Pistols were a revolutionary English punk rock band of the mid-1970's. Led by 'Johnny Rotten' (John Lydon) they sought to convey a political message that the music industry and western society in general was exploiting and conning the young people. Using outrageous clothing, including Nazi emblems, and more outrageous song lyrics and obscene slang language they sought to pervade the atmosphere of apathy and reach the minds of the young. Ironically, they were not listened to, and instead became adored by many youngsters as pop idols. The irony was not lost on the Sex Pistols, who were so obviously devastated by the sheep-like mentality and stupidity of the very people they were trying to reach that during their final tour in the USA they failed to arrive at venues and on one memorable event appeared on stage, played one song and then announced 'ever had the feeling you've been conned' before walking off stage, thereby illustrating the message they were trying to get across by graphically conning their audience. John Lydon, insensed by the moronic following he developed formed a new band after the death of side-kick and bass guitarist 'Sid Vicious' ironically titled 'Public Image Ltd' and immediately released a song which commenced with the lyrics 'You never listened to a word that I said. You only see me for the clothes that I wear.' The message still failed to get across, and John Lydon was to be seen storming out of many television interviews when the interviewer sought to discuss the importance of the band's and John's image and clothes. More positively, perhaps, the Sex Pistols may have encouraged other politically motivated bands and movements which arose from the ashes of the late 1970's to resist the exploitative and sycophantic music industry, with varying degrees of success. Research Sex Pistols
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Research Sex Pistols