10. Vicious Beat a Journalist With a Bike Chain
Sid Vicious’ viciousness was not only reserved for himself. While he engaged in frequent self-mutilation, Vicious was also capable of significant violence towards animals and people. This tendency made a notable appearance during a show on the Sex Pistols’ infamous North American tour. At a stop in Nashville, Vicious brutally assaulted a reporter with a bicycle chain.
The Sex Pistols, as was typical with punk musicians, had a fractious relationship with the press and music critics. This behavior was unusually severe with Nick Kent, a reporter for the New Musical Express who was also a former Sex Pistol. He had briefly played guitar with the band and rehearsed with Johnny Rotten and claimed he was the superior singer. Kent often badmouthed Rotten in the press due to this disagreement.
At the 100 Club in Nashville, Kent reportedly tapped Vicious on the shoulder and told him to move over so Kent could get a better view. Vicious is said to have responded with a comment on how he didn’t like Kent’s trousers and grabbed a bicycle chain out of his pocket, which he hit Kent over the head with three times. Blood was reportedly splattered all over the wall behind Kent who, in true punk fashion, stated it didn’t hurt and refused to seek medical attention.