Sid Vicious, (born John Simon Ritchie 10 May 1957 – 2 February 1979), as many say was born to be a controversial though talented bassist. He was the bassist for the popular band known as the Sex Pistols.

It is often said that the Sex Pistols revolutionized punk rock and brought this type of music into its maturity. Sid’s birth was as controversial as the career and path he chose to take in life. He was born to a young mother who left schools for lack of fees and a royal guardsman who later abandoned him and his mother.

However, after his mother’s second marriage john was able to attend the Sandown schools and later the Cleve don secondary. It is believed that John performed well in schools and it was here that he met, John Laydon who gave him the nick name that was to follow him all through his life, Sid Vicious.

The two began their career in music in a notorious fashion, where they would often play the tambourine until people paid them to be quiet. By this time they had met, Ritchie, and Wobble who joined them in their mischievous endeavors.

Sid joined the sex pistols after leaving flowers of romance and banshees. Many of the rock lovers termed him the attitude that made the band all the worthwhile. Without Sid, many critics feel the band would have gone under and maybe this was the reason what the manager of the Sex Pistols requested him to join the band.

With Sid, the band grew in popularity ringing with it the best punk rock had to offer. Although he was not considered the greatest bassist of all time, Sid had
the attitude that made the band. Many felt that other band members lacked the charisma Sid has, and the love for punk rock that was necessary in order to bring the music to life.

After a night of partying and drinking vicious woke to the most terrifying scene, he found his lover Nancy Spungen stabbed to death. Since he could not recall clearly what had happened, Sid was arrested and detained charged with murder. All he could recall was that they had a fight. He was detoxified and released on bail pending further investigations into exactly what transpired
that night.

On the day he was released on bail, many in the media and music world felt that he had completely changed because Sid lacked the charisma he once had. He did not say a word to the many fans who had gathered in his support.

It is believed that Sid overdosed on heroine immediately after his release. He was found with a suicide note found by his mother. The band that brought Sid so much fame was granted entry into the rock and roll hall of fame
posthumously. Many rock fans still find their music to be entertaining and ahead of its time. Sid’s enthusiasm for the music still infects punk rock fans across the globe.

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