3. The Filth and the Fury

In just three months, the Sex Pistols went from unknowns to the
most feared band in Britain. After headlining the infamous 100
Club Punk Festival, they landed a major-label deal with EMI and
released their debut single, Anarchy in the UK.


Radio wouldn’t touch it, and record shops banned it. No matter,
as within weeks the Pistols were on everyone’s lips… for an
entirely different reason.


Episode 3 of The Rise and Fall of Sex Pistols focuses on one of
the most notorious moments in British television history. A
half-cut band. A smirking presenter. A live broadcast that
shattered the illusion of polite British youth.


Within 24 hours, the headlines screamed “The Filth and the Fury!”
and the nation erupted. Gigs were cancelled. Politicians raged.
Record label shareholders revolted. EMI, who had only just signed
the band, were already trying to distance themselves.


This was the moment Britain met punk at teatime… and it never
recovered.


Episode 3 features archive interviews from: Johnny Rotten, Steve
Jones, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Cook and Malcolm McLaren


Presented by Gina Birch and Steve Lamacq


A BBC Audio Production