Sid Vicious: Rock 'n' Roll Star [Paperback]

Malcolm Butt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

More than a rock biography, this portrait illuminates the genesis, heyday, and demise of English punk. Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols made his mark on the world in the short time of his life--and it's all here in this startling book. Malcom Butt reveals of the degradation of Sid Vicious's childhood as the only son of a drug addict and explores his career as a punk, drug addict, and murderer. Color photos. 72 b&w photos.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Plexus Publishing (UK); First edition. edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0859652343
• ISBN-13: 978-0859652346
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,624,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific little book!, May 2, 2000

By 

William Errickson Jr. (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sid Vicious: Rock 'n' Roll Star (Paperback)

How much more can be said about Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols, and 70s punk in general? Well, it helps if you've got stories nobody's heard before, and "Sid Vicious: Rock'n'Roll Star" (God, I hope there's some irony intended in that subtitle) has them. I won't reveal them here, but I will say I've been a punk fan for a long time (I'm not telling!) and I learned a lot here--lots of little details really make Sid come alive in a new way. Sure, he was nasty and brutish, and his life was short, but he's still entertaining. There are also fantastic pictures, again, many which I was unfamiliar with. There's a funny one of him in the hospital after the break-up of the Pistols, and lots of good ones before he ever joined the band.

This book covers his whole life--his childhood with his drug-friendly mother, his teen years as an art student (but then, name me one British rock star that DIDN'T go to art school!)--and the hellish descent his life took after January 14, 1978. It's all here--great writing (the bibliography includes "England's Dreaming" and "12 Days on the Road"), hilarious and chilling anecdotes, unparalleled photos, and good research. However, it did leave out a really cool fact--that Sid got his trademark padlock necklace from Chrissie Hynde. But it does reveal that the one Gary Oldman wore in "Sid & Nancy" was, in fact, that very one.

This slim book doesn't look like much at first glance, but appearances deceive. Avoid at all costs, however, the much more hyped "El Sid" by David Dalton--a wretched, exploitative, cheap and poorly written work with no photos and imaginary diary entries from Sid. CRRRAAPPP!

PS: "Sid Vicious: Rock'n'Roll Star" would make an EXCELLENT gift for that bratty 14-year-old nephew of yours who thinks Rancid and Green Day and Blink 182 are "punk rock"--show him the guy who walked it like he talked it, and paid the highest price for it.

"Regrets... I've had a few... But then again, too few to mention......"

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On the sensational, controversial Sex Pistols leader, March 17, 2006

By 

D. Donovan, Editor/Sr. Reviewer "California B... (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sid Vicious: Rock 'n' Roll Star (Paperback)

Malcolm Butt's SID VICIOUS: ROCK N ROLL STAR is an important read for any who are familiar with Sid Vicious and know about his sensational, controversial background. Unlike other reports and surveys, Malcolm Butt's account comes from an insider's standpoint and reveals Vicious' childhood, his introduction to the Pistols, and his declines in a world of mental illness and heroin. A strong background knowledge of the punk scene in general, not just the Sex Pistols and Sid Vicious in particular, lends a well-rounded touch to the biography of Sid's 21 years of life. Add candid black and white photos of the group and its leader and insights into Sid's mental state and you have an authoritative coverage which is required reading for any who would understand the roots and sentiments of punk rock.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Photographs, May 20, 2007

By 

' Groovin' guy "music historian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sid Vicious: Rock 'n' Roll Star (Paperback)

For photographs of Sid, this book is great. All pictures are in black and white.

The writing is good as well, peering back to young John Beverly, and his care by drug addicted mother.