Considered by many to be the archetypal punk band, the Sex Pistols changed pop music forever, with a series of controversial singles, including "Anarchy in the UK" and "God Save the Queen," which culminated in their sole LP release, the landmark Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols.

The band broke up in San Francisco in 1978, at the end of a their sole U.S. tour. Singer Johnny Rotten reverted to his given name of John Lydon and went on to a acclaimed career with the group Public Image Ltd., guitarist Steve Cook maintained a successful career as a session musician parterning with drummer Paul Cook and recently has emerged as the most popular DJ on the cutting-edge Los Angeles radio station Indie 103.1, and bass player Sid Vicious launched an abortive solo career, and shortly afterwards committed suicided after being charged for the murder of girlfriend Nancy Spungen.

In the '90s the Sex Pistols reunited with original bass player Glend Matlock for a successful world tour, and in 2006, they were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.