First TV Documentary on The Sex Pistols and Punk, 1976

Janet Street-Porter has always been able to spot a trend before it captures the national interest. For example, the week Chicago were at number one in the UK’s Top 40 singles chart with “If You Leave Me Now”, Janet was out making the first TV documentary on The Sex Pistols and Punk.

Broadcast on 22 November 1976 as part of The London Weekend Show, Janet’s film “Punk” featured interviews The Sex Pistols (still with Glen Matlock), a band called Clash (before they added a ‘The’) and Siouxsie Sioux. The Pistols also perform “Pretty Vacant”, “Submission”, “Anarchy in the UK” and “No Fun”.

There is some drop-out, and the video tape is a bit mashed at the start, but otherwise, this is an important pop culture TV documentary.

Previously on DM

Post-Pistols, pre PiL: John Lydon interview, 1978

How ‘Network 7’ televised a Revolution