RIP

Malcolm Mclaren

April 2010

Sad to hear of the death of Malcolm Mclaren yesterday of cancer at the age of 64. I didn’t really know much about him apart from managing a couple of bands that I like, the New York Dolls (who I am going to see on the 19^th) and the fabulous Sex Pistols. Without this band, the 4 great singles and album they released, perhaps the British and maybe worldwide musical landscape would never have changed. You might still be listening to ELO or have Emmerson, Lake and Palmer release their 47^th concept album. Anyone of an age can still remember the Sunday papers chasing Johnny Rotten, Paul Cook, Steve Jones and Glen Matlock around the country with headlines like Puke Rock, where supposedly Rotten was sick on stage in the middle of a gig (it probably never happened). Who can forget the release of “God save the Queen” in the Jubilee year? It seems quite tame now, but then, it was revolutionary, where people did not criticise or make fun of the monarchy. Or the Bill Grundy interview with tales of disgusted viewers, smashing their TV’s. This was all orchestrated by Mclaren, who knew how to get the most publicity out of the smallest action.

He also, with his then girlfriend Viviene Westwood had a shop in the Kings Rd called Sex. They sold all the punk gear in there. I walk past it once but would not go in to have a look, as these sort of places always seemed to be sinister and dangerous places to be and not the sort of shop for us normal kids.

Mclaren and Rotten fell out and as far as I was concerned this was the end of the Pistols who just cashed in after this with some awful singles such as “My way” and the awful other side of that one, Ronnie Biggs singing “No one is innocent.” They also tried to do a lot of Eddie Cochran songs with Sid Vicious, the bassist who took over from Matlock as the lead singer. I can remember that Malcolm Mclaren had some more tracks which charted later in the 80’s, who can forget the song “Buffalo Gals” and “Double Dutch” with the girls with the skipping ropes. He also diverted into opera with the electronic “Madam Butterfly.”

A wonderful thing that he is also responsible for is his son with Vivienne Westwood, Joseph Corre who is responsible for the lingerie shop, Agent Provoceteaur. Who hasn’t had a peek through the windows of that shop whilst in Pont Street, Belgravia.

So good luck in your next career and thanks for the memories in this one.

Duncan April 2010