Adam and the Ants at Eric’s Club in Liverpool, 1977
Before the flamboyant gyrating, Native American-obsessed pirate we all know and love as Adam Ant there was another fellow (born Stuart Leslie Goddard), who looked more like the proto-goths of the 70s such as Siouxsie Sioux (who Adam and The Ants often supported live back in the day) or Dave Vanian of The Damned.
Adam Ant and Siouxsie Sioux hanging out backstage, 1977
After joining his first band in 1975, Bazooka Joe, Goddard bore witness to what was likely the very first performance ever given by the Sex Pistols, who were the opening act for a Bazooka Joe gig. Goddard quickly quit the group and went on to form another band that never really got off the ground called, B-Sides. Following a battle with anorexia and a suicide that landed him in a psychiatric hospital, Goddard was released, changed his name to Adam Ant and eventually formed Adam and the Ants around 1977.
Adam Ant (with Jordan) at the Vortex, (London, 1977)
In addition to some pretty amazing photos of Ant, his band and collaborator/punk fashion icon Jordan (aka Pamela Rooke who worked at the King’s Row boutique, SEX run by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood), I dug up this very punk recollection from UK music and culture historian, Tom Vague on the first time he laid eyes on Adam Ant in 1977:
The first time I saw Adam Ant he had just had ‘Fuck’ carved into his back by Jordan with a razor blade and World’s End was stained with his blood
Who knew everyone’s favorite post-punk jaunty pirate was so dangerous? Well, I’m sure some of you did, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the following photos that pre-date Ant’s 80s fashion and antics.
Adam and the Ants (with Jordan) at The Marquee, 1977
Adam Ant, 1977/1978
Adam Ant, 1978
Adam Ant at The 100 Club, 1978
Adam Ant, 1978
Adam Ant at the Vortex, 1977
Adam and the Ants show poster for The Nashville, September 1977
Super8 footage of Adam and The Ants from 1977 performing at The Marquee, The Nashville and the ICA Restaurant. The soundtrack is “Lou” (with Jordan on vocals) and “Puerto Rican,” both taken from a Peel Session.
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Legendary letterhead: P.T. Barnum, Adam Ant, Terry Gilliam, Richard Simmons, Marilyn Monroe & more