In the late ’70s, the world of rock and roll was forever changed with the arrival of an English band known as the Sex Pistols who would be responsible for ushering in the whole punk rock movement, a musical genre that not only changed the sound of rock music but also infused a new sense of fashion and attitude among the youth of the world. In fact, no other band has so changed the face of music in such a short and dramatic fashion as the Sex Pistols. With their debut and only record, the iconic “Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols,” the Pistols rocketed to the top but fell back to the ground just as quickly as the behavior of the band members became as well known as the music.
When you think of the Pistols, most people will conjure up an image of vocalist Johnny Rotten or the infamous life of Sid Vicious, whose addiction and eventual overdose has been chronicled in books and film. But at the heart of the band was guitarist and founding member, Steve Jones. Without Steve’s passion for music and an overwhelming desire to escape his upbringing, the world would never have know classic like “Anarchy in the U.K.” or “God Save The Queen.” In his new book, “Lonely Boy-Tales From a Sex Pistol,” Steve tells his tale.
The book serves as both a history of the Sex Pistols and a personal journey through the life of Steve Jones. As he explores his youth and gives us some background on his childhood, Steve reveals the personal trauma of being sexually abused and the effects that followed him throughout his life. Music served as an escape as the early years of the Pistols are chronicled in glorious detail as Steve delves into the formation of the band telling tales of Malcom McLaren and the scene on Kings Road. There are lighter moments as well, as Jones tells of his obsession with nicking things, even down to the Pistols early equipment. The Pistols rise to fame and subsequent fall leads to a downward spiral for Jones who is open and honest throughout about his drug addiciton and the difficulties of maintaining sobriety.
In this candid account of his life, Steve Jones shows how one boy from West London started an entire movement that would forever change the face of his generation, making “Lonely Boy” a must read for all fans of rock and roll. Delve into the deep, dark world of punk rock and pick up your copy today.
