Iconic punk band the Sex Pistols reportedly had a raucous afterparty following their contract signing with A&M.
The band, led by Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) and featuring Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock, and later Sid Vicious, were with the label for just a week and signed their contract in front of Buckingham Palace.
This legendary photo was taken on this day in 1977, with label heads and a police officer posing alongside the Sex Pistols.
After being dropped by EMI after three months, the band switched to A&M, marking the occasion with a high-profile photo-op and an unforgettable afterparty.
Fans have since labelled the signing as “one of the funniest things” the band ever did.
One fan shared their memories of the contract signing on Reddit, writing: “One of the funniest things they ever did. They forced A&M to pay for them to go out to insanely fancy restaurant in order to celebrate.
“Then they completely trashed the AandM offices after the signing outside of Buckingham Palace. Then one of Rotten’s friends got into a fight with one of the friends of AandM’s directors. AandM fired them in less then a week.”
Another fan added: “Six days later, Herb Alpert destroyed the contract. Along with 20k or something of God Save the Queen EPs.” A third Reddit user highlighted the notorious after party following the Sex Pistols’ record signing, which left label executives less than thrilled with the punk band’s antics.
They shared: “After a short-lived contract with EMI, the contract with A&M was signed March 9, 1977, and this photo commemorating the event was signed March 10th.
“Visible in the photo (front) are John Lydon AKA ‘Johnny Rotten’ (with “V” signs), and drummer Paul Cook, signing. Behind are guitarist Steve Jones, and newest member John Ritchie, AKA ‘Sid Vicious,’ who would not play a date with the group until the following month.
“According to reports, at the ‘after-party,’ Vicious trashed a restroom and Rotten insulted staff. Label President Herb Alpert and co-President Jerry Moss were less than impressed with the behavior, and the group’s contract was canceled six days later. One quote (attributed to Alpert) was that the six days ‘was too long’.”
Despite their tumultuous past, the Sex Pistols continue to tour, albeit without original frontman John Lydon, who is performing with his band Public Image Ltd. The group released ‘End of World’ in 2023 and entered its lead single ‘Hawaii’ into the Eurovision contest.
Remaining members Matlock, Jones, and Cook are now touring with new frontman Frank Carter, formerly of the Rattlesnakes, who confirmed his previous band had disbanded for him to join the Sex Pistols.