Destroy: A Photographic Archive of the Sex Pistols, 1977 [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Dennis Morris (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

Dennis Morris ended up taking the first official shots of the Sex Pistols, at the personal request of Johnny rotten. They were both 18. The results of these, and subsequent sessions, are lavishly produced in their black-and-white glory in Destroy, picturing the most charismatic band of all time at their wild-eyed, royalty-baiting, chaos-inducing best.-Bizarre

"Destroy is a photographic account of the 12 months leading up to the group's burn-out, freeze-framing each shell-shocked band member. The minutiae is irresistible: timely Gang of Four graffiti on a toilet wall, Vivienne Westwood already old enough to know better; a young Richard Branson looking like a displaced member of The Eagles. It's appeal should reach beyond the nostalgists to those eager to discover more about a watershed year in popular music."-Q

Editorial Reviews

Review

Destroy is a photographic account of the 12 months leading up to the group's burn-out, freeze-framing each shell-shocked band member. The minutiae is irresistible: timely Gang of Four graffiti on a toilet wall, Vivienne Westwood already old enough to know better; a young Richard Branson looking like a displaced member of The Eagles. It's appeal should reach beyond the nostalgists to those eager to discover more about a watershed year in popular music. -- Q

Dennis Morris ended up taking the first official shots of the Sex Pistols, at the personal request of Johnny rotten. They were both 18. The results of these, and subsequent sessions, are lavishly produced in their black-and-white glory in Destroy, picturing the most charismatic band of all time at their wild-eyed, royalty-baiting, chaos-inducing best. -- Bizarre

About the Author

Dennis Morris was the Sex Pistols official photographer. Inspired by the tradition of war photography, his 'documentary' approach enabled him to fully capture the pain, joy and anarchic spirit of the Sex Pistols and punk in general. His earlier subjects have included Bob Marley, and he is still actively working. He lives in London, England. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: The Tears Corporation/Creation; illustrated edition edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1871592747
• ISBN-13: 978-1871592740
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,912,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars marvelous book, June 21, 2000

By 

Erin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Destroy: A Photographic Archive of the Sex Pistols, 1977 (Paperback)

Stunningly beautiful black-and-white photos fill this book from cover to cover. Some are familliar, most were new to me. Most of the focus is on Rotten, although Sid and the rest of the band members each have their chance to shine. The book documents their travels and travails through the year 1977, ending just before the American tour when things went completely out the window. Poor Sid, you can actually see him going down hill. There is no text, only some very brief descriptions of each photograph at the very end of the book. I wonder about the amount of trouble each band member went to over the slovenly aspect of their appearance, because they all come off looking like very attractive young men. Many people seem to think of Rotten as ugly and gross (including Rotten himself, apparently). May I refer these people to page 28/29 of the book. I defy you to find one single thing ugly about this man. (sigh) Completely worth the money, this book lived up to all my expectations. Buy it now.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best picture book you could spend your money on!, August 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Destroy: A Photographic Archive of the Sex Pistols, 1977 (Paperback)

i though this book was amazing and was so happy i bought it! the pictures are great and tell so much about the individual members of the band, the band history, and the sad ending of everything. i especially liked the candid photos of rotten (page 89 is, well, what can i say? i love him) and the rest of the group (page 91 and 93 are halarious and kinda show the group dynamic), and the amazing photos of the original fans. this book is great!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All I Want Is A Photograph, September 23, 2006

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Destroy: A Photographic Archive of the Sex Pistols, 1977 (Paperback)

There was so much written at the time about the Sex Pistols during their meteoric rise and blazing fall that it's refreshing to see the band being captured only in photographs.

Dennis Morris did a great job in detailing the band throughout 1977 - before the Pistols stumbled into the United States and imploded after a horrendous gig at the Winterland - in the reissue of his photo collection, Destroy.

John Lydon had asked Morris, 18, to photograph the group. The unprecedented access captures the band in promotional posturing, on stage and in legendary scenes, like "The Boat Trip," a short-lived gig on the Thames that police broke up and seemingly arrested everyone but the Pistols.

The closing pages can not hide that the band was in turmoil, with the members obviously straining to tolerate each other. One of the final photos shows Lydon talking with Jah Wobble, who months later was the bass player in Lydon's post-Pistols band, Public Image Ltd., while the other Pistols appear pretty vacant.

Punk meant so much more than what was captured on vinyl. Destroy is a collection that brings better focus to what the movement meant to so many.