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| photo: Historic England |
A London home used by the Sex Pistols has earned protective status by the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, on the advice of Historic England.
A 17th Century townhouse at 6 Denmark Street, leased by Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren from 1975-77, saw the band record demos downstairs while guitarist Steve Jones and bassist Glen Matlock lived in a room upstairs.
"Numbers 6 and 7 Denmark Street are some of the very few surviving late 17th century town houses which still have their original character, fixtures and fittings. For this reason they deserve to be listed at Grade II*,” says Emily Gee, Head of Designation at Historic England. “The outbuilding at number 6 also features one of the few physical traces of the importance of Denmark Street to the music industry, with graffiti by John Lydon still on the walls.
Cultural phenomena can be difficult to capture in the historic environment, yet here we have an imprint of one of the country's most famous bands. These houses chart the history of Soho, and we're delighted that they're being given such important status."
News of the rare designations comes as the UK capital city hosts a year-long series of events and exhibitions as part of the tourism marketing brand “Punk London: 40 years of subversive culture.”
"These 17th century townhouses not only exhibit well-preserved architectural detail but helped nurture Soho's influence on the global music industry during the 1960s and 1970s,” adds Heritage and First World War Minister David Evennett. “As we celebrate 40 years of punk, I'm delighted to be granting further protection to these buildings which acted as a home and studio to the Sex Pistols."
No 6 Denmark Street is currently home to a vintage guitar shop.
Inspired by New York bands the Ramones and the New York Dolls, among others, the Sex Pistols formed in London in 1975 and helped to propel the UK punk scene through a series of four singles and one studio album, 1977’s “Never Mind The Bollocks…Here’s The Sex Pistols”, before disbanding just three months after its release.
See also:
Virgin Money launches Sex Pistols credit cards
Sid Vicious provides soundtrack for new Acura commercial
Sex Pistols: John Lydon to receive BMI Icon Award
Sex Pistols reveal unseen 1977 live performance video
Search The Sex Pistols at hennemusic
