Public Image Ltd’s iconic Boxing Day gig in 1978
By 1978, punk was on its way out. The anarchic rebellion that had burst onto the scene in 1976 had quickly turned into a complacent and fickle fashion sense. The biggest signifier of the end of the punk glory days came at the beginning of 1978 when Johnny Rotten announced the breakup of the Sex Pistols, paving the way for John Lydon to be reborn with Public Image Ltd.
Although often criticised for their manufactured beginnings and distinct lack of musical ability, Sex Pistols were undeniably important in establishing and popularising punk music. Their number-one debut album was vital in establishing the genre. Their gigs, such as their legendary appearance at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester, inspired countless young punks to follow in their footsteps.
In January 1978, however, it was all over. Johnny Rotten announced the breakup of the group during a US tour. The declining health of band members, a breakdown of the relationship between Lydon and manager Malcolm McLaren, as well as problems resulting from Sid Vicious’ growing dependence on heroin meant that the band could not continue any longer. Rising from the ashes of the Pistols came Lydon’s latest venture, Public Image Ltd.
Public Image are widely credited with beginning the post-punk scene, which went on to foster groups like Joy Division, Wire and The Pop Group, to name a few. After a trip to Jamaica with photographer Dennis Morris, as well as an odd attempt by Richard Branson to install Lydon as the frontman for Devo, Public Image Ltd debuted in October 1978 with the release of their eponymous single, ‘Public Image’.
The single was a huge success for Lydon’s new anti-rock outfit, featuring a more mature sound and a departure from the sneering vocals of the Pistols. Releasing their debut album, First Issue, in December 1978, PiL were here to stay. Despite their early successes, though, the band were slow to start gigging. Their first live appearance had happened in Belgium in December, but the group’s London debut was set to take place on Christmas Day.
PiL were due to play two shows on Christmas and Boxing Day at the Rainbow Theatre, the iconic Finsbury Park venue that had previously hosted the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, among many others.
A fan account of the gig, published on the fan site Fodderstompf, recalls how violent the show was, “Out strode Rotten/Lydon lagered up, fights started almost on cue”, he writes, “One side of the stage were Arsenal Skins, the other side West Ham, and in the middle the punks. Football chants were heard, the skins kicked fuck out of the punks, then each other. There were waves of people just steaming into each other. Rotten got involved verbally, then people started gobbing and canning the stage.”
Although footage of the show is incredibly scarce, aside from a very short clip shot by Don Letts, bootleg recordings of the show can be found easily online. From hearing the sounds of early PiL, it is clear that punk was dead, and the post-punk and anti-rock scene were ready to take the musical world by storm.
