1976 and all that

On June 4 1976, the Sex Pistols played at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. This was probably the most important gig ever to take place in Manchester, since it inspired a generation of young mancunians to embrace the punk ethos and “do it for themselves.”

This gig led to the creation of Factory Records and bands like Joy Division, The Smiths and The Buzzcocks. It led to a new wave scene that competed with the cream of New York’s bands and put Manchester on the map as a cool city with cool people in it.

Bands like New Order and The Fall were also hugely influential. The Killers and Franz Ferdinand would probably not exist but for this gig. So who were the Sex Pistols? The band formed in London, in 1975. It consisted of Johnny Lydon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in 1977. The band were responsible for one album, titled Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols. It was recorded in 1977 and is thought to be one of the best records ever made.

The site of this famous event can still be found on Peter Street in Manchester. The Free Trade Hall is now the Radisson Edwardian Hotel Manchester.