History of Sid Vicious in Timeline

Simon John Ritchie, known as Sid Vicious, was the bassist for the punk band Sex Pistols. Despite a short life ending at 21 in 1979, he became a lasting symbol of punk's dark and rebellious side. His legacy continues to influence punk subculture.

1936: Birth of Anne Beverley

Anne Beverley, Sid Vicious's mother, was born in 1936.

May 1957: Birth of Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious, whose real name was Simon John Ritchie, was born in Lewisham, England in May 1957.

1965: Anne Beverley's Marriage and Relocation

After returning to England, Anne married Christopher Beverley in 1965 and they moved to Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

1971: Relocation to Hackney

In 1971, Anne and Sid Vicious moved to Stoke Newington in Hackney, East London.

1973: Sid Vicious Meets John Lydon and Forms 'The Four Johns'

In 1973, Sid Vicious met John Lydon at Kingsway College. They became friends with John Grey and John Wardle, forming a group known as 'The Four Johns'. The group quit school and began squatting in various locations.

1973: Sid Vicious Contemplates Suicide and is Asked to Leave Home

In 1973, while attending Westminster Kingsway College, Sid Vicious confided in a counselor about contemplating suicide. He was asked to leave his mother's home at the age of 16 that same year.

1975: Formation of the Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols were formed in 1975, with John Lydon, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock, Paul Cook, and manager Malcolm McLaren.

June 1976: Sid Vicious Attacks Nick Kent at a Concert

In June 1976 at a Sex Pistols concert, Sid Vicious attacked music journalist Nick Kent with a motorcycle chain, reportedly while high on speed.

September 1976: Sid Vicious Performs with Siouxsie and the Banshees, Gets Arrested

Sid Vicious played drums with Siouxsie and the Banshees at their first gig in September 1976. The following day, he was arrested and imprisoned for assaulting an audience member with a glass at a Damned concert.

1976: Sid Vicious Co-Founds The Flowers of Romance and Learns to Play Bass

Sid Vicious co-founded the band The Flowers of Romance in 1976, taking on the roles of vocalist and saxophone player. He also taught himself to play bass guitar during this time, inspired by the Ramones' debut album.

1976: Sid Vicious Attends Sex Pistols Concert

Sid Vicious was photographed at a Sex Pistols concert in Kensington in 1976, where the band was known for their confrontational performances and for attacking their audience.

February 1977: Sid Vicious Replaces Glen Matlock in the Sex Pistols

Glen Matlock left the Sex Pistols in February 1977 and Sid Vicious replaced him as the band's bassist. Matlock cited "bullshit" as his reason for leaving, while other band members later suggested tensions within the group and a calculated move by manager Malcolm McLaren.

March 1977: Sex Pistols Sign with A&M Records, Cause Chaos, and Get Dropped

The Sex Pistols signed a record deal with A&M Records in March 1977 and celebrated by trashing the company's offices. They were quickly dropped by the label after a series of confrontations and a bar fight involving BBC personnel at a London club.

April 1977: Sid Vicious' Debut with the Sex Pistols

In April 1977, Sid Vicious played his first gig with the Sex Pistols at The Screen on the Green, a performance captured in the film "Punk Rock Movie." Despite lacking bass experience, Vicious joined the band. His struggles with playing led guitarist Steve Jones to handle bass duties for most of their debut album, "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols."

October 1977: Release of "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols"

On October 28, 1977, the Sex Pistols released their only studio album, "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols." The album, known for its notoriety and the controversial song "God Save the Queen," topped the UK Album Charts and achieved gold status.

December 1977: The Sex Pistols' Final UK Performances

The Sex Pistols' last UK performances before their reunion in 1996 took place in December 1977, including shows at The Royal Links Pavilion in Cromer and Ivanhoe's in Huddersfield. Notably, they performed a matinee for children of firefighters during a national strike.

1977: Sid Vicious Meets Nancy Spungen

In 1977, Sid Vicious met Nancy Spungen, an American groupie living in London. They began a volatile and destructive relationship fueled by drug addiction.

January 1978: The Sex Pistols' Tumultuous US Tour and Breakup

In January 1978, the Sex Pistols embarked on a turbulent US tour marked by internal conflicts and erratic behavior from Sid Vicious, who was battling heroin withdrawal. The tour concluded with their final performance in San Francisco, where Johnny Rotten's famous line, "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" signaled the band's end.

August 1978: Vicious White Kids: A One-Off Performance

In August 1978, Sid Vicious, along with Glen Matlock (former Sex Pistols bassist), Steve New, and Rat Scabies, formed the short-lived band Vicious White Kids. They performed a single gig at the Electric Ballroom in Camden Town, with Vicious taking on the role of lead singer.

October 1978: Death of Nancy Spungen

In October 1978, Sid Vicious's girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, was found dead in their hotel room with a stab wound. Vicious was arrested and charged with her murder.

December 1978: Assault Charge and Imprisonment

In December 1978, Vicious was arrested and charged with assault after an altercation at a nightclub. He was sent to Rikers Island due to violating his bail conditions.

1978: Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen in New York

Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen moved to New York City in 1978, residing at the Hotel Chelsea. Spungen took on a managerial role for Vicious, securing him gigs at clubs like Max's Kansas City.

February 1979: Release from Prison

On February 1, 1979, Vicious was released from Rikers Island after completing a detoxification program.

February 1979: Death of Sid Vicious

On February 2, 1979, Sid Vicious died from a drug overdose at the age of 21.

1979: Release of 'Sid Vicious Was Innocent' by Helpless Huw

In 1979, the band Helpless Huw released the four-track recording 'Sid Vicious Was Innocent', highlighting Vicious's impact on punk music even after his death.

1980: Posthumous Album Release

In 1980, the first posthumous album, "Sid Vicious," was released, featuring a controversial image of Vicious's body being removed from his apartment.

1982: Release of 'Sid Vicious Was Innocent' by the Exploited

In 1982, the Exploited included the song 'Sid Vicious Was Innocent' on their album 'Troops of Tomorrow', continuing the narrative of Vicious's influence on punk culture.

1986: Ramones Tribute 'Love Kills'

In 1986, the Ramones released 'Love Kills' on their album 'Animal Boy', paying tribute to both Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.

1986: Release of 'Sid and Nancy' Film

In 1986, the critically acclaimed film 'Sid and Nancy', directed by Alex Cox, was released. The film portrays Sid Vicious's life from joining the Sex Pistols to his death, with Gary Oldman starring as Vicious and Chloe Webb as Nancy Spungen.

1988: Anne Beverley Discusses Asking Sid Vicious to Leave Home

In a 1988 interview, Anne Beverley spoke about asking her son, Sid Vicious, to leave home in 1973.

1993: Ade Edmondson's Portrayal of Vicious in 'Demonella'

In 1993, Ade Edmondson played Sid Vicious in 'The Comic Strip Presents: Demonella'. Directed by Paul Bartel, the film features Vicious residing in Hell with other historical figures like Oscar Wilde and Adolf Hitler.

1994: NOFX's 'Punk Guy' References Vicious

In 1994, NOFX released 'Punk Guy' on their album 'Punk in Drublic', with the line 'Exudes a vicious disposition' referencing Sid Vicious.

1996: Death of Anne Beverley

Anne Beverley, Sid Vicious's mother, passed away in 1996.

1996: Sale of Vicious's Bass Guitar

In 1996, Vicious's mother, Anne Beverley, sold his white Fender Precision Bass to Steve Jones, former guitarist of the Sex Pistols.

1996: The Sex Pistols' Reunion - The Filthy Lucre Tour

In 1996, the original members of the Sex Pistols reunited for the Filthy Lucre Tour.

1997: Foo Fighters' 'Everlong' Video

In 1997, the Foo Fighters released a music video for their song 'Everlong', which depicts Sid Vicious defending Nancy Spungen against party demons. Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins played Vicious and Spungen, respectively.

2000: Release of 'The Filth and the Fury' Documentary

The documentary "The Filth and the Fury," which chronicles the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, was released in 2000.

2001: Death of Rockets Redglare

Rockets Redglare, a punk rocker and actor, died in 2001. He had been accused of killing Nancy Spungen but denied these claims.

2002: Release of "Live at Max's Kansas City, NY 1978"

In 2002, recordings of Sid Vicious' performances at Max's Kansas City in 1978 were released as "Live at Max's Kansas City, NY 1978."

2006: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

The Sex Pistols were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. However, the surviving members declined to attend the ceremony.

2007: Alternative Theories About Spungen's Death

In 2007, Phil Strongman's book "Pretty Vacant" proposed that actor Rockets Redglare killed Spungen, citing Redglare's knowledge of Spungen's finances and presence at the hotel.

2008: The Simpsons Spoofs Vicious and Spungen

In 2008, 'Love, Springfieldian Style', the Valentine's Day episode of The Simpsons, spoofed the relationship between Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.

January 2009: "In Search of Sid" Documentary

"In Search of Sid," a documentary about Vicious by his friend Jah Wobble, aired on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.

September 2009: Debut of 'Kurt and Sid' Play

In September 2009, the Roy Smiles play 'Kurt and Sid' debuted at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End. The play features the ghost of Sid Vicious visiting Kurt Cobain to try and convince him not to commit suicide, with Danny Dyer playing Vicious.

2009: John Lydon's Reflections on Vicious

In 2009, Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon expressed regret for bringing Vicious into the band, noting his isolation and struggles.

2009: John Wardle Discusses Sid Vicious's Teenage Years

John Wardle, a friend of Sid Vicious, gave an interview in 2009 where he discussed Vicious's teenage years and his mother's struggles with heroin addiction.

2011: Auction of Vicious's Suit

A suit belonging to Vicious was sold for £11,000 at a Christie's auction in 2011.

2011: Re-release of "Live at Max's Kansas City, NY 1978"

The album "Live at Max's Kansas City, NY 1978," capturing Sid Vicious' New York performances, was re-released in 2011.

2013: "Never Mind the Baubles: Xmas '77 with the Sex Pistols" Documentary Released

The documentary "Never Mind the Baubles: Xmas '77 with the Sex Pistols" was released in 2013, featuring insights into the band's final UK performances.

2015: Medusa's 'Sid and Nancy' Music Video

In 2015, Medusa released a music video to their song 'Sid and Nancy', portraying Vicious and Spungen as children, reflecting on their infamous relationship.

2015: Chrissie Hynde Releases Autobiography

In her 2015 autobiography, "Reckless: My Life as a Pretender," Chrissie Hynde shared an anecdote about asking Sid Vicious to participate in a sham marriage so she could obtain a work permit.

2017: Multiple Releases Referencing Sid Vicious

In 2017, several artists released works referencing Sid Vicious. Foster the People released 'Loyal Like Sid & Nancy' as the second single from their album 'Sacred Hearts Club'. Industrial Metal band Powerman 5000 also released a single called 'Sid Vicious in a Dress'. Additionally, Phoebe Bridgers recorded 'Chelsea', a track inspired by Vicious and Spungen's relationship.

January 2021: Announcement of 'Pistol' Series

In January 2021, FX announced a series about the Sex Pistols titled 'Pistol', with Louis Partridge set to portray Sid Vicious. Based on Steve Jones's memoir 'Lonely Boy' and directed by Danny Boyle, the series faced criticism from John Lydon, who tried and failed to block the use of the Sex Pistols' music.

2021: Rerelease of Vicious's Music

In 2021, several of Vicious's recordings, including his singles and the album "Love Kills," were rereleased by Cleopatra Records.

2022: Continued Popularity of Vicious Memorabilia

As of 2022, Sid Vicious-themed merchandise remains popular and widely available.

2022: Machine Gun Kelly's 'Sid & Nancy'

In his 2022 album 'Mainstream Sellout', artist Machine Gun Kelly released a track titled 'Sid & Nancy', depicting a couple deeply in love but sharing dark ideas, ending with the sound of two consecutive gunshots.