OCTOBER 2007

1977: THE YEAR
PUNK EXPLODED
51

THE SPIRIT OF ’ 77
Thirty years ago, the kids were not alright.
Bless ’em. BY CHARLES AARON PLUS: A month-
by-month punk time line. BY IRA ROBBINS

60

JOHNNY ROTTEN
Three decades after the Sex Pistols
blew up with Never Mind the Bollocks,
their irrepressible frontman tells us
what’s on his mind. BY JACK RABID

67

THE 30 ESSENTIAL PUNK
ALBUMS OF 1977
From Blondie to Wire, here are the ones you
must hear. PLUS: The 20 greatest singles.

72

PUNK REUNION: LONDON Members of the Damned, the Vibrators, Eater, X-Ray Spex, and others meet up for a lively discussion. BY DORIAN LYNSKEY

78

MICK JONES
The former Clash guitarist on the rise
and fall of the Only Band That Matters.

80
PUNK REUNION:
NEW YORK
Members of Blondie, Ramones, Suicide,
Television, and the Dictators remember
the CBGB scene. BY WILL HERMES

88
PUNK REUNION:
WEST COAST
Members of X, the Germs, the
Avengers, and others step up to
the (reporter’s) mic. BY JACK RABID

PHOTOCREDIT BEN WAT TS

ON THE COVER

Johnny Rotten shot by
Dennis Morris/Camera Press/Retna

In a Nottingham, England hotel room during the Sex Pistols’ ¹⁹⁷⁷ tour.

“WHEN WE FIRST CAME TO AMERICA, THEY

WERE PULLING GUNS ON US IN THE SOUTH.”

JOHNNY ROTTEN, PAGE 60