The enduring filth and fury

In 1977, we witnessed the ultimate culture clash. As millions came together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, with flared trousers and bunting the order of the day at street parties across the country, the punk movement in the UK reached its zenith. All this played out against a backdrop of rampant inflation.

When the Sex Pistols released to coincide with the Jubilee, the establishment went into full moral panic mode. The song, which featured some of the most provocative pop lyrics ever penned, was banned by the BBC and commercial radio stations. Pop charts were rigged lest Her Maj was listening to Radio 1 and choked on her cornflakes. Big retailers including WHSmith and Boots refused to stock the single, newspapers were full of outrage and venues refused to allow the band to play.