Biography of Sid Vicious

One of the most influential figures in the realms of punk rock, Simon John Ritchie, popularly known by his nick name Sid Vicious was born on May 10, 1957. Known for his outrageous stage antics, mayhem and hard hitting-bass notes, Sid influenced a sea of rockers who devoted themselves to the genre of Punk. His showmanship and diabolic intensity on stage captured the hearts of many a musician. His blistering performances with his bands provided a safe haven for a multitude of teens to vent off angst in the mosh pit. He was nick named "Sid Vicious" by John Lydon the eclectic vocalist and lyricist of Sex Pistols.

Childhood

Born in London to John and Anne Ritchie, Sid had a traumatic childhood. His father worked as a guard at Buckingham Palace and his mother was a strong believer of the hippie culture. Soon after Sid's birth, his father deserted his family. Sid along with his mother shifted base to the island of Ibiza. After his mother married Christopher Beverley in 1965, the family relocated to Kent, London. Six months after his stepfather passed away, he and his mother started living in a rented flat in Tunbridge Wells. He attended Sandown Court School and later attended Clevedon Secondary Modern in Somerset.

Early Years

Sid was influenced by the the strains of music at an early age. He played a few musical instruments and his musical journey began when he joined the band 'The Flowers of Romance' in 1976. He donned the role of a vocalist and also played a bit of saxophone. He played drums with the band Siouxsie & the Banshees in their first gig at the 100 Club Punk Festival, London. This gig is remembered even today for the sheer intensity and commotion that drove the crowd into a musical frenzy.

Popularity

Although Sid was never a bassist, he was hellbent on learning the bass and made repeated attempts to learn the instrument. He even asked Lemmy, the vocalist and bassist of Motorhead to give him a few bass lessons. Sid would stay up all night listening to punk band The Ramones and figure out various bass patterns. Although his bass playing abilities were not admired by many in the music fraternity, he was adored by his fans for his persistence and dedication. The band Sex Pistols was without doubt Sid's stairway to success.

The Nancy Spungen Episode

Sid started dating groupie Nancy Spungen who was known for her heroin addiction. The two got into a relationship and their drug-induced trips reached new heights. On October 12, 1978, Vicious woke up to find Nancy Spungen dead in the bathroom of their room in the Chelsea Hotel in New York. She apparently bled to death due to a stab wound to her abdomen. Sid was arrested and charged with murder on November 22, 1978. In his defense, Vicious claimed that although he had stabbed her, he never intended to kill her. Later on he even went on to say that he wasn't even clear about the whole episode. His mother had to arrange for a bail of fifty thousand dollars to get him out. Ten days after the death of Spungen, Vicious slit his wrist and attempted suicide. He was hospitalized at Bellevue Hospital for three days.

Death

To celebrate the bail that was granted to him, a small gathering was held at his new girlfriend Michele Robinson's place. There Sid began his heroin trip and later the two fell asleep. The next morning on February 2, 1979 he was found dead with some heroin residue and a syringe lying next to him. An autopsy confirmed that Sid Vicious died of a lethal heroin overdose.

Although Sid's life was filled with turmoil, his acquaintances often described him as a calm and shy person. His performances with the Sex Pistols were memorable and are fondly remembered even today.