The Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols are often considered the "original" punk-rock band. Although this may not be strictly true—and the band released only one proper album—they have left a lasting mark on western music and culture.

The original Sex Pistols were singer Johnny Rotten—knwon for his feral vocal style and nihilistic lyrics—lead guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock and drummer Paul Cook. Matlock left the band in 1977, although it was rumored that he was kicked out for professing to like The Beatles (which seems plausible in view of the more melodic direction of subsequent band, The Rich Kids). Matlock was replaced by the infamous—and soon to be dead—Sid Vicious, the subject of the 1986 film Sid and Nancy.

The band's early live performances stoked a grassroots punk movement—many of the audience members went on to form famous bands of their own, including The Clash and The Buzzcocks. Under the tutelage of flamboyant manager Malcolm McLaren, the band was signed to the international major label EMI, released Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols in 1977, toured the US, and promptly split up on January 17, 1978. The original lineup reunited in 1996 and 2007 for live shows.