Quick Facts
| Canonical Name | Sid Vicious |
| Born | May 10, 1957 |
| Birthplace | Lewisham, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Occupations | musician, bass guitarist |
| Instruments | bass guitar |
| Gender | male |
| Genres | punk rock |
| Associated Acts | Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sex Pistols, Vicious White Kids, The Flowers of Romance |
| Active Years | Active since 1976 |
Identity and Aliases
Biography
Sid Vicious was the stage name of John Ritchie, an English musician and bass guitarist associated with the punk rock movement. He became most closely linked with the Sex Pistols, where his name became inseparable from the band's turbulent rise.
Born in Lewisham, London, he was active from 1976 to 1979 and worked primarily on bass guitar. Alongside the Sex Pistols, he was also a member of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Vicious White Kids, and The Flowers of Romance.
His name appears across a range of catalogued recordings and releases associated with his short but influential career. Sid Vicious died in 1979, aged 21.
Career Timeline
Musical Roles
Sid Vicious was a bass guitarist and musician working in punk rock. His role is most closely identified with bass guitar performance in the Sex Pistols and related punk-era groups.
Bands and Projects
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to Sid Vicious. These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Sid Vicious include:
Musical Style and Instruments
His work is identified with punk rock and the raw, fast-moving energy of the late 1970s scene.
Genres
Instruments
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Semantic Graph Data (Knowledge Graph)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Sid Vicious?
A: Sid Vicious was an English bass guitarist and musician associated with punk rock. He is best known for his work with the Sex Pistols.
Q: What band is Sid Vicious best known for?
A: He is best known for the Sex Pistols. He also played with Siouxsie and the Banshees, Vicious White Kids, and The Flowers of Romance.
Q: What instrument did Sid Vicious play?
A: Sid Vicious played bass guitar. That instrument defined his role in the bands he is linked with.
Q: What genre is Sid Vicious associated with?
A: He is associated with punk rock. His career was part of the late 1970s punk scene.
Q: Where was Sid Vicious born?
A: He was born in Lewisham, in the London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London, England. His birthplace is in the United Kingdom.
Q: When was Sid Vicious born?
A: He was born on May 10, 1957. He died on February 2, 1979.
Q: What was Sid Vicious's birth name?
A: His name was John Ritchie, and he was also known by aliases including John Simon Ritchie and Simon Beverley. The records also list variations such as John Simon Ritchie-Beverly.
Q: What are some recordings associated with Sid Vicious?
A: Associated recordings include "(Don't You Gimme) No Lip," "Anarchy in the UK," and "Belsen." Several variants of "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" are also listed.