Where the Sex Pistols’ Logo Was Born

In this flat at 93 Bell Street, in Marylebone, Helen Wellington-Lloyd created the “blackmail” style lettering logo for the Sex Pistols, in 1976, when she designed the band’s early promotional material with Nils Stevenson and Malcom McLaren, who moved in with her for a while.

The 100 Club

In September 1976, the 100 Club (which had operated since 1942 as Feldman Swing Club) played host to the first international punk festival, which helped push the new punk movement into the mainstream. The Sex Pistols, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Clash, Buzzcocks, The Jam, The Stranglers, and The Damned all played at this event.

Joe Strummer’s Squat

For a few years, Strummer helped make a strip of West London an unlikely punk hotspot. His like-minded neighbours included The Slits, who hung out a few doors down at number 43, two of the Sex Pistols and Malcolm McLaren, who lived round the corner on Bell Street, and The Damned who practised nearby.

Sid and Nancy’s Flat

Malcom McLaren rented this unfurnished flat for Sid Vicious (and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen) in Maida Vale, on the 24th of August 1977.

When he was told that it was only a 7-year lease, Malcolm allegedly replied “That’s fine, he’ll be dead by then…”

Speakeasy

Opened on 15 December 1966, the Speakeasy Club hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Pink Floyd (who first appeared on 19 September 1967), Love, King Crimson, Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention (October 1967), Yes, Jimi Hendrix (1966), The Beatles, David Bowie, Deep Purple (10 July 1969), and Bob Marley (May 1973, Catch a Fire Tour). Thin Lizzy made their England debut here.

Lyceum Theatre

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Lyceum Theatre hosted the likes of The Grateful Dead, The Clash, Bob Marley and The Wailers (their Live! album was recorded here on 18–19 July 1975), Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Police, The Who, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Deep Purple, Sex Pistols, Joy Division, The Smiths, U2, and Culture Club.

Wessex Sound Studios

Many renowned popular music artists recorded at the former Wessex Sound Studios, including Sex Pistols (Never Mind the Bollocks), King Crimson, The Clash (London Calling), Theatre of Hate, XTC, Queen (We Will Rock You), Talk Talk, The Rolling Stones, Pete Townshend, and The Damned. Here’s where Johnny Rotten threw up into the piano…

The Scots Hoose

In the 1960’s and 1970’s The Scots Hoose (as The Spice of Life was called then) was a popular venue for folk musicians, and saw many great acts of the time, such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Cat Stevens perform there. In the punk craze of the late 70s even The Sex Pistols played at the venue.

Benwell Mansions

Until the age of 11, John Lydon lived here on Benwell Road where once stood Benwell Mansions that Lydon has described as “a damp, smelly Victorian monstrosity of a building.”

Sid and Nancy’s Graffiti

Pics of dear relatives you’d place on your fireplace in the living room? Certainly “Vicious” uncle Sid’s and “Nauseating” aunt Nancy’s! Dotmaster painted their portraits in Penge, South London.