Special Sub-Topic: The Life of Sid Vicious Click Here To Play: The Life of Sid Vicious

Where did Sid Vicious move to with his mother after being born?

Ibiza. Sid was born in England but moved to Ibiza shortly afterward with his mother. After they ran into debt they returned.

What is Sid Vicious's birth name?

John Simon Richie. Believe it or not, Sid's real name is John Simon Richie. John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) and Sid were good friends and were known as "The Johns".

What does the "R" on Sid Vicious's famous padlock stand for?

Rabbit. If you look at a replica of Sid's padlock there is a rabbit mark between the lock.

How did Sid get his nick name "Sid Vicious"?

Johnny Rotten's hamster bit him. Johnny Rotten had a pet hamster called Sid which bit Sid when he was being sweet to it. As to the vicious part, it's self explanitory. He was a vicious guy.

Before being drafted into the Sex Pistols, Sid claimed to be starting a band on his own. What were they to be called?

The Flowers of Romance. If you watch the Sex Pistols documentary "The Fllth and the Fury", Sid states in an interview in Hyde Park that he was getting a group together called The Flowers of Romance.

According to John Lydon, how did Sid save the band by getting them through passport control on their way to their American Tour?

His underwear was filthy. This is discussed on the documentary "The Filth and the Fury", John Lydon states, "As soon as they saw Sid's underwear, that was it. We were safe..."

Who did Sid replace as a bassist in the Sex Pistols?

Glen Matlock. It was Glen who was replaced by Sid. The two later played a one off gig in 1979 as "The Vicious White Kids" at the Electric Ballroom in Camden.

What journalist from the NME did Sid famously have a fight with?

Nick Kent. It was Nick Kent who Sid had a fight with, Nick stated in a documentary that Sid hit him with a chain. In the movie "Sid & Nancy" this fight is shown as a clash between Sid and "Dick Dent." Pretty obvious parody, really.

Where did Sid Vicious get his biker boots from?

He stole them from a roadie. If you read "The Art of Dying Young', there is an interview with a former Sex Pistols roadie who states that Sid stole them from him while touring America.

What dance did Sid and the "100 Club" club owner claim he invented?

The Pogo. Sid claims to have invented "The Pogo". He stated in interviews that he created it to knock over members of "The Bromley Contingent" at gigs at the "100 Club".