Despite an initial career that flamed out in less than three years, the Sex Pistols remain one of the most influential acts in punk rock history. (Getting banned by the BBC tends to have that effect.) Originally consisting of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock (later replaced by Syd Vicious), the Sex Pistols released just one studio album. Their fame disintegrated almost as soon as it began, splitting in 1978. Recently, guitarist Steve Jones admitted that he and ex-vocalist Johnny Rotten haven't been on speaking terms for nearly two decades.
In November 2007, the original Sex Pistols lineup reunited for seven performances across the United Kingdom. That reunion extended into 2008 with a series of European festival performances, titled the 'Combine Harvester Tour.'
On Sept. 5, 2008, the Pistols played their final show with Johnny Rotten (née Lydon) at the Azkena Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. And Steve Jones recently revealed that he hasn't spoken to Rotten since then.
"I was done after that, no more," Lydon said during a Nov. 10 appearance on the Rockonteurs podcast. "Too much. Too old, too much, not enough done."
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In 2021, Rotten lost a lawsuit to stop the Sex Pistols' music from being used in the Disney+ drama Pistol.
In June 2024, Cook, Jones, and Matlock announced two reunion shows at the Bush Hall in Shepherds Bush in London. The acts were billed as "Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols." Carter, of Gallows and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes fame, took over for Rotten as lead vocalist. This lineup has continued to tour in 2024.
"He doesn't try to be John," Jones said of Carter. "It's just fun. You know what I mean? And it comes across as fun. Plus, we're playing it how it should be played. And you got this lunatic jumping around all over the place. And he brings a big element to the fun part of it."