There was and is no in between with the Sex Pistols. People either find their style exciting and innovative or crass and destructive. The former group made them one of the most popular and sought after bands of the 1970s. The latter got them frequently banned and the target of much negative publicity. The band first started taking shape in 1972 with chums Steve Jones and Paul Cook. Two years later, they added Glen Matlock, followed by John Lydon, AKA John Rotten, in 1975, They started playing live shows by the fall of 1975 and instantly started causing a stir, both with fans and critics. It didn't help their reputation with the mainstream culture that many of their shows erupted into actual physical fights.

The band started gaining a massive following, however, with fans who finally found a group that spoke their language. They signed with EMI in the fall of 1976 and released the single "Anarchy in the UK" soon after. It wasn't their music or live shows that brought them the most attention late in 1976, as they were plastered all over the news for releasing a torrent of obscenities on the Today show on television. By the time 1977 rolled around, EMI dropped the Sex Pistols. Conflict in the band between Matlock and Rotten led to Matlock's departure and the addition of Sid Vicious.

The band got a new record deal through A&M, but A&M dropped them as well not long after. The Sex Pistols then landed at Virgin Records. They put themselves at odds with the British Monarchy by releasing "God Save the Queen," which obviously didn't sit well with many Brits. The group was touring around the UK and extended the tour to the U.S. during that tour in 1978, Rotten walked out of the band after a show in San Francisco. The band tried to continue on, but it was doomed to failure after Vicious died. Since then, they have reunited multiple times for tours and to release live albums.