When Malcolm McLaren formed the Sex Pistols in 1976 he wittingly or unwittingly tapped into the teenage, adolescent psyche and set in motion a movement that seismically changed the face and direction of popular music. He became the Archduke of Adolescent Anarchy and Angst. Malcolm McLaren died last year, and now one of his Punk Disciples and Champion of a “Germ Free Adolesence” has departed this mortal coil – Poly Styrene, front woman of X Ray Spex died on Tuesday of breast and spinal cancer. But make no mistake she was an integral part of the Punk movement spawned by Malcolm McLaren and the Sex Pistols.

The reality is that Malcolm McLaren knew exactly what he was doing when he manufactured this anarchical ensemble, designed to sweep aside everything before them. For my generation, the arrival of the Sex Pistols was the equivalent of the asteroid that decimated the dinosaurs 60 million years ago – with one hit in June 1977 ( “God Save The Queen” ) the dinosaurs that had ruled the 1970s musical earth were decimated. Out went the lumbering, stagnant, extravagant, self indulgent, navel gazing Prog Rock bands of the ilk of Emerson Lake and Palmer and Yes, to be replaced by much more nimble, adaptable, kitchen sink bands like The Stranglers, The Jam, Buzzcocks, Clash and Sham 69. Alongside the bigger stars of Punk, were the satellite planets and moons like X Ray Spex and The Adverts, who although they only flirted with commercial chart success, were nevertheless significant factors and components in the Punk movement.

Literally in one summer there was a seismic shift in the direction of music, pioneered by Malcolm McLaren. At the height of The Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in June 1977, the Sex Pistols tore up the charts, and tore up the deferential script, with the anarchical “God Save The Queen”. Folklore has it that the establishment stopped it reaching Number One in the charts, peaking at No2 behind Rod Stewart. Now whether MI5 were deployed to go out and buy up every available copy of Mr Stewart’s single is a moot point. What is not up for debate is that the Pistols energised a lethargic music scene, and engaged with a disaffected youth in the 1970s inner city terrain. Malcolm McLaren facilitated a vehicle and a voice for all the disenfranchised and unemployed in Britain’s industrial wastelands. And in turn the authorities and the establishment were completely intimidated by the bile, raw angst and aggression that emanated from the twisted mouth of Johnny Rotten nee Lydon.

Thirty four years on, it’s difficult to convey the massive impact that this snarling, orange haired, rabid, demonic front man and his fellow band members had on British Society, but it was a truly definitive moment. If the Sex Pistol’s first release “Anarchy in the UK” had set the tone, then “God Save The Queen” paved the way for a generation of punk and new wave bands and their fans, to stick two fingers up at the establishment. And by doing so, impose their own rebellious identity upon society with not only radical and raw music, but with clothes and hairstyles to complement it.

But credit where credit is due – Malcolm McLaren deserves his place amongst the musical elite; not because of the Sex Pistols’ musical ability, but because the originality of his ideas and thinking prefaced and ignited social and cultural change, and unlocked the door for a host of Punk and New Wave bands. And Poly Styrene and X Ray Spex were a fundamental component within the Punk movement that turned the turgid, stagnant music world upside down in 1977 and 1978!!

And just maybe Poly Styrene, like the foam product she took her name from, will have an enduring, indestructible life span that lasts for many decades after the end of her so called useful and physical life!!

So why not preserve Punk for posterity?…………Get your favourite Punk vinyl records or compact discs ( singles or albums ), framed and mounted, by clicking on….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively you can buy a Punk “Song Souvenir” for a family member, or friend……this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration ie a 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday, or possibly Mother’s or Father’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!