Sex Pistols, the

British punk-rock group (1975–78) that became notorious under the guidance of their manager Malcolm McLaren (1946– ). Their first singles, ‘Anarchy in the UK’ (1976) and ‘God Save the Queen’ (1977), unrestrained attacks on contemporary Britain, made the Pistols into figures the media loved to hate. They released one album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols (1977).

The original line-up was Johnny Rotten (real name John Lydon, 1956– ), vocals; Steve Jones (1955– ), guitar; Glen Matlock (1956– ), bass; and Paul Cook (1956– ), drums. Their best-known member, Sid Vicious (real name John Ritchie, 1957–1979), joined in 1977. Lydon went on to form Public Image Ltd.