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5. Anarchy on the Thames

The Rise and Fall of ... Sex Pistols
Episode 5 of 8

How the Pistols hijacked Britain鈥檚 biggest party, declared war on the establishment, and created the most controversial single in UK history.

1977, and as Britain prepared to celebrate the Queen鈥檚 Silver Jubilee, the Sex Pistols were plotting something else entirely. Fresh from being dropped by two major labels, they signed with Virgin Records and unleashed God Save the Queen鈥� a blistering punk anthem that tore into the monarchy and shattered British tradition.

It was banned by the 麻豆社, blacklisted from shops, and allegedly kept from reaching Number 1. And then, on Jubilee Day, the Pistols took to the Thames in a now-legendary riverboat stunt that ended with police raids and arrests.

Episode 5 is the story of how the Pistols hijacked Britain鈥檚 biggest party, declared war on the establishment, and created the most controversial single in UK history.

Featuring archive interviews from: Richard Branson, Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Malcolm McLaren and Sid Vicious alongside new interviews with the legendary Sex Pistols official photographer Dennis Morris and groundbreaking bass player Jah Wobble.

Presented by Gina Birch and Steve Lamacq

A 麻豆社 Audio Production

Available now

19 minutes

Last on

Mon 3 Nov 2025 01:28
麻豆社 Radio 6 Music

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4. CancelledSex Pistols

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6. The Album, The Outrage and the Court CaseSex Pistols

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Music Played

  • The Clash

    1977

    • Sound System.
    • Sony Music UK.
    • 2.

  • Mike Oldfield

    Tubular Bells, Part One

  • Rod Stewart

    The First Cut Is The Deepest

    • The Best Of Rod Stewart.
    • Warner Bros.

  • Anti-Nowhere League

    Streets of London

    • The Best Of Anti-Nowhere League.
    • Anagram.
    • 1.

  • The Clash

    White Riot

    • ESSENTIAL CLASH.
    • Columbia.

Broadcast

  • Mon 3 Nov 2025 01:28
    麻豆社 Radio 6 Music

Podcast