SEX PISTOLS: THE END IS NEAR 25.12.77
KEVIN CUMMINS
BOOK REVIEW
Publisher: ACC Art Books
This
historically important tome is a stunner from the off, the resplendent
glittery hardback exterior merely teasing at the delights within.
By
way of setting the scene, Kevin recounts his own Christmas Day ‘77 and
the fall-out in abandoning
his family to head for Huddersfield to see
the Sex Pistols’ evening show at Ivanhoes. It’s important as it places
the photographs in the true context of a time when the Sex Pistols
really were public enemy number one, and Christmas Day was the one day
on the calendar that, as a child or teenager, you spent with family, no arguments. To
break one taboo in order to attend another was a monumental
undertaking. Short term pain led to long term gain as he found
himself capturing on camera the last UK Sex Pistols gig for 19 years.
So
what do the pictures reveal? The primary impression is
the sense of atmosphere and occasion; both the togetherness within
the crowd itself and between the Pistols and their audience. The
connection,
and dare I say joy, emanating from everyone in the room is almost
tangible.
The Pistols are so close to the crowd they are as good as part of it.
John relishes his role as a newly crowned icon; twisting, snarling,
smiling, singing - all with his unique intensity, all immortalised by
Kevin’s camera.
From
his cheeky ‘Never Mind the Rich Kids’ T-shirt to his terrifying stare,
John is both playful and focused. He’s not alone on stage of course. Sid
gets on with the job, and apart from throwing a few shapes, there’s little hint of the animated crazed persona he
was shortly to showcase in the USA. However, Steve is the other star here,
full of energy and proving himself to be a photogenic showman in his own
right. “I think this is probably the best Christmas I’ve ever had,”
reflected Steve. The pictures leave little doubt. Paul fares less well
as he is rarely in shot due to Kevin’s position on stage, but what a
position! Stood right next to Steve, he captures the Pistols
off-guard, time and again, just doing their stuff.
How
do you select favourites? Maybe it’s John pointing over the crowd while
they point back at him, or Steve playing with a beret covering his
eyes? Perhaps it's when John flashes a look for the camera while giving the
back of his head a hearty scratch? It’s an impossible choice. Some
shots you will be familiar with - although I doubt you will have seen
them presented in such quality - but many will excite you for the first
time.
The
band had played a short set in the afternoon for the children of
striking fire fighters and were clearly buoyed by the experience. How
could they possibly split within a few short weeks? It seems
inconceivable on the evidence presented. That’s what makes the
photographs so mesmerising, the Pistols are captured at their peak,
free of internal mayhem and looking in good nick, physically and
mentally. In many ways, Kevin’s images point to an alternative time
line, one where they didn’t partake in an ill conceived US tour and
fall apart. This is a snapshot of what most of us got to miss, the
Pistols on an upward trajectory, flying high with no crash in sight.
'The End Is Near' is an
indispensable collection of images from a unique rock ‘n’ roll moment,
beautifully presented.
“Can
you think of a better way to spend Christmas?” asked John Rotten. Kevin
Cummins couldn’t and for that we should be grateful.
Review
by Phil
Singleton
©Phil
Singleton / www.sex-pistols.net 2020
All rights reserved. Not
to be
reproduced without permission
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