
8. My Way
From The Rise and Fall of ... by BBC Radio 6 Music
October 27, 2025 · 21 min · Season 4 · Episode 9
About this episode
The episode explores the tragic aftermath of the Sex Pistols' final show, detailing the personal struggles of its members and their cultural impact.
In the wake of their final show, the Sex Pistols split, torn apart by addiction, betrayal, and manipulation. John Lydon returned to London, disgusted. Steve Jones and Paul Cook escaped to Rio to record with fugitive Ronnie Biggs. And Sid Vicious, already spiraling, began his final descent in New York. This is the tragic coda to punk’s most dangerous band. From the Chelsea Hotel to Rikers Island, from a heroin-induced coma to an infamous murder charge. The Rise and Fall of Sex Pistols ends here, in blood and handcuffs, and headlines. In this final episode, Gina Birch and Steve Lamacq reflect on the cultural earthquake the Pistols triggered, the lives they changed, and the price they paid. Featuring archive interviews from: Nancy Spungen, Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Malcolm McLaren and Sid Vicious alongside a new interview with Jah Wobble, childhood friend of Vicious and Lydon. Presented by Gina Birch and Steve Lamacq Written by Philip Smith, with additional writing by Steve Lamacq Produced by Angela Davies and Philip Smith Editor for BBC Audio Helen Hobday Assistant Producer for BBC Nariece Sanderson Commissioner for BBC Music Will Wilkin A BBC Audio Production The…
People in this episode
Hosts: Gina Birch, Steve Lamacq
Guest: Jah Wobble
Topics covered
- Sex Pistols
- punk music
- addiction
- betrayal
- cultural impact
- final show
- tragedy
Keywords
- Sex Pistols
- John Lydon
- Sid Vicious
- punk
- addiction
- betrayal
- cultural earthquake
- final descent
- archive interviews
Mentioned in this episode
Places: London, Rio, New York, Chelsea Hotel, Rikers Island
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- 5. World in Motion · March 16, 2026 · 19 min
- 4. Loose Fit · March 16, 2026 · 25 min
- 3. Twenty Four Hour Party People · March 16, 2026 · 20 min
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