Lonely Boy - Steve Jones
This is the warts and all account of a life growing up pretty much feral, in the rougher parts of West London. Joining the most infamous of all punk groups, the Sex Pistols, before watching all that fall apart around you. Becoming addicted to drugs and spending many lost years before breaking free of that. Finally forging a whole new career as a DJ and taking your place as some kind of elder statesmen of rock. Its been quite a journey for Steve Jones the ultimate artful dodger.
There is no doubt that the lead guitarist of the Sex Pistols has led his life to the full, and this book gives an ultimate insider’s account of the Punk scene in the late 70s and the glorious rise and infamous fall of the Sex Pistols. In particular this book stands head and shoulders above the paltry offerings of the other Pistols - bass player Glen Matlock and professional snide and butter salesman John Lydon (Paul Cook’s not done a book yet but he’s given us the wonderful Hollie Cook and so can be forgiven everything).
Jones is very much a product of his upbringing, where there was very little to give him the home life stability to keep him within life’s normal tracks. From a young age he was roaming the streets, thieving and finding troubles to get into and scrapes to get out of. His early teenage overt interest in all things sexual leading to a substantial back history of casual liaisons and ongoing affairs that read like a Who’s Who of female rock history. The turning point for Steve was meeting Malcolm McLaren and Vivian Westwood. They, and particularly Malcolm, were intrigued by this boy who so clearly didn’t give a shit and was happy to go through life embracing every challenge that came his way with a total disregard for social norms, rules or consequences. Jones actually has some warm words for Malcolm and Vivian and appreciates the opportunities they helped him - help himself to - whilst also noting that McLaren did very well out of the deal also. The book is also a useful reminder that although the Rotten singer and Vicious bass player got all the attention, all of the best and most recognisable riffs and hooks that are the real calling card from the Sex Pistols Came from Steve Jones’ guitar. He was also the one responsible for the infamous Bill Grundy Interview. After the Pistols imploded Jones took his drug habit to the US where he still lives. Once finally free from drugs ultimately finding a comfortable perch with his own, much celebrated radio show, Jonesys Jukebox. Alternating this with various Pistols reunion tours with a certain Mr Rotten left happily on the sidelines by the rest of the band. A great read then, full of swagger and relish for a life lived following your own rules.