Eltham man wrote <>

Hmmm. So, a musician's ability is dependent on other aspects of their life and conduct? If Mozart had murdered someone at the end of his career, it would have invalidated his music? Yet so many other artists who die of drugs, drink, or, er... suicide... become exalted as tragic heroes. On the other hand, poor old Roy Orbison died in his mother's arms and has never been heard of since.

Sid was party to a suicide pact, and killed himself a short while after. His suicide note reveals him as a a confused and immature kid, not an evil murderer. Whatever his shortcomings as a musician, he was a tragic figure whose life ended in a bloody awful mess. He was intelligent but uneducated, clever but unwise. He rose briefly above his "natural station in life", but was ultimately destroyed.

Unlike so many art-school punks, goths and the like, he lived the life and died the death. Johnny Rotten (Lydon) was the one interviewed on Kaleidoscope (Radio IV) 25 years later, and spoke pompously about The Sex Pistols "capturing the zeitgeist".

And could he play the bass? His technical proficiency was right up there with my ability to play the bagpipes (I have never tried), but we have to assume that he produced exactly the effect he wanted to produce with the limited techique at his disposal. Schultz drew Charlie Brown with about 4 pen strokes, but conveyed considerable subtleties to those who can "read" cartoon drawings. Was he a worse artist than Constable?

Listen to the "Too Fast To Live" album and hear this versions of "Something Else" and "C'mon Everybody" which are as exciting rock and roll as any other versions I've heard - including Eddie Cochran's (although Cochran was a far better musician, singer, and songwriter).

Sid Vicious was a performer with a certain talent, but lacked the application and direction to make the most of it. On the other hand, here we are a quarter of a century after his death, debating him - and the other day, a 22 year old at my office turned up wearing a Sid Vicious tee shirt. He became an icon; will any of us?