Anarchy Tour 1976

In October 1976 the Sex Pistols signed their record deal with EMI and recorded their single 'Anarchy In The UK'. A tour was hurriedly put together by the Sex Pistols management to promote the single; showcase their band and punk rock in general. The December 'Anarchy Tour' was confirmed with the Damned and the Clash as support, with Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers flying in as special guests from New York. It was the first time that fans outside of London could really get close to what was happening. Then, after the infamous two-minute "foul-mouthed" December 1 television appearance opposite Bill Grundy on the Today programme, punk became front page news and within days, 16 out of 19 halls cancelled. The Damned only lasted the first gig.

The story goes that the tour was prevented from becoming the trailblazing nationwide package it could've been. The tabloid storm that followed the 'Grundy' incident meant punk was defined and commodified by the media. Most commercial radio stations refused to play the Sex Pistols, and only John Peel played 'Anarchy In The UK' at the BBC. EMI backing out financially halfway through also put a huge financial strain on all the bands.

By mid-December there were very few venues in the country that would consider having the bands. Every concert that was played seemed a minor miracle.

In the end they played just 7 dates at 5 venues.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Sex
• Pistols
• Clash
• Damned
• Johnny
• Thunders
• Heartbreakers
• Buzzcocks
• Punk
• 1976

[skinnyskaller]

That song is "Boredom" by Buzzcocks, one of the greatest punk anthems.

[andeatittoo]

an amazing period of time,really.

nevermind all the bollocks and fashion,

the music ROCKED!!

[jagfug]

A Johnny Thunders search brought me here. It's so apparent that without the street cred of American punk, there would be no formulated Sex Pistols. They all were Alice Cooper, NY Dolls fans already. Johnny was used by these wankers, as they say.

[aeltzis88]

@skinnyskaller oh fuck its awful i hate songs like that

[mycatsdead]

so right. why be like all the idiots you met at school. do what you want and dont forget contrylife butter. punk rock.

[Stube437]

@NRVERTAKEMEALIVE i noticed that on another video.

[Stube437]

that jumper john's wearing at the end is the one he had on on the Bill Grundy show

[NRVERTAKEMEALIVE]

Shane mcgowan in the union flag jacket!! Must have been before he was a republican???!! ;0)

[peaceman1234567]

Malcolm McClaren R.I.P.

[kidcalabria]

Nice video. Make some more!

[OfficerInfusion]

3:16-4:05

BEST PUNK BAND EVER

[creepystranger007]

Ramones are the greeatest band in any genre, they were real, they were true, the were Rock n Roll, they were Punkrock. They were everything man, love them!