Born May 10th 1957, as John Simon "Sid" Ritchie, in London. He later adopted his stepfather's surname of Beverley. Vicious appeared briefly as the drummer for Siouxsie & The Banshees, and was also a member of the 'Flowers of Romance' before replacing Glen Matlock as bass player in the Sex Pistols. After the break-up of the Pistols he performed with Johnny Thunders, solo and with the group Vicious White Kids, the latter with which he performed his farewell gig in July 1978. On October 12th of that year he was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen . Ten days later, he tried to kill himself and was sent to Bellevue Hospital. February 2nd 1979 whilst still out on bail, Vicious died at a New York loft party from an accumulation of fluid in his lungs, brought on by a heroin overdose. 10th May 1957 - 2nd February 1979 Sid Vicious R.I.P.
On 2 February 1980, in honor of the first anniversary of Sids death, one thousand punks marched from Londons Sloane Square in Chelsea to Hyde Park. His Mother, Anne Beverly, was supposed to have taken part in the proceedings, but she was in the hospital due to a drug overdose.
Suspected of killing his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, in 1978. Trial for the murder began January 2, 1979. Sid died before the trial ended. There was speculation that the killing was done by a drug dealer that frequented their apartment.
For a short time Sid played drums for Siouxie and the Banshees in the 1970s.
Boyfriend of Nancy Spungen.
Former bassist for the pioneering punk band The Sex Pistols.
His stage name was given to him as a joke, because of his inability to defend himself in a fight. John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) once commented, "Sid couldnt punch his way out of a bag of crisps!"
There was no key for his padlock chain necklace.
During the filming of Alex Coxs "Sid and Nancy", Sids mother gave the actor who played Sid (a relative unknown named Gary Oldman) Sids famous padlock necklace.
He was allegedly stunningly musically incompetent, even by punk standards. His bass work was so rudimentary, that its rumored (and all the members of the band corroborate) that original Sex Pistol bassist Glen Matlock was invited to return to record basslines over Vicious originals, even though he had left the band under extremely acrimonious circumstances.
Gained the emnity of the Clashs Mick Jones due to his habit of wearing a Nazi Swastika t-shirt. Jones, who is Jewish, and the rest of the Clash vowed they would never appear on stage with the Sex Pistols.
Was a member of the "Bromley Contingent," a group of young punk fans who followed the Pistols and other punk bands around England.
During the famed summer 1976 "Punk Festival" at Londons 100 Club, Vicious became involved in a brawl with another punk, and tossed a beer mug at him. The mug missed, shattered against a pillar, and put a girls eye out. Vicious was charged, convicted and fined for the incident.
Invented the "pogo" dance. Vicious went to a Sex Pistols gig before he joined the band and wanted to get a better look at them so he would jump up and down in a frenzy, and soon it caught on and more and more people did it.
His ashes were scattered on Nancy Spungens grave by his mother, Ann. Eileen Polk said that Spungens family would not allow Sid to be buried next to her, despite his request, nor would the Jewish cemetery permit scattering the ashes there. They were escorted through the cemetery and Ann later returned to scatter the ashes in secret.
His $50,000 bail from the second degree murder charge was revoked when he was arrested for hitting Patti Smiths brother, Todd, with a beer mug one night at a New York club.
Is portrayed by Gary Oldman in Sid and Nancy
Vicious mum Anne Beverley committed suicide in 1996.
Much like Boris Karloff , died on Groundhog day, exactly ten years to the day after the Hollywood horror actor.
I just cash in on the fact that I’m good looking, and I’ve got a nice figure and girls like me.
