Who Is Sid Vicious? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Sid Vicious, born on May 10, 1957, in Lewisham, London, was an influential figure in the punk rock scene, primarily as the bassist for the notorious band the Sex Pistols. Despite a short-lived career and life, he remains a cultural icon representing rebellion and the punk ethos. Unfortunately, Vicious passed away on February 2, 1979, at a young age, but his legacy continues to thrive in popular culture.
As of 2025, Sid Vicious would have been 67 years old, capturing the attention of audiences with his music and rebellious spirit even decades after his untimely death.
Occupation | Criminals |
---|---|
Date of Birth | May 10, 1957 |
Age | 21 Years |
Birth Place | Lewisham, London, England |
Horoscope | Taurus |
Country | England |
Date of death | 2 February, 1979 |
Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Sid Vicious's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Sid Vicious stood at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighed around 132 pounds (60 kg) during his lifetime. His lean physique was a characteristic of the punk rock aesthetic of the late 1970s. Notably, he was often seen with a distinctive style marked by leather jackets, ripped jeans, and a raw, edgy attitude that resonated with fans and fellow musicians alike.
In January 1978, the Sex Pistols embarked on a two-week USA tour. There was rising tension within the band. Rotten was barely speaking to anyone. Warner Bros., which organized and staffed the tour, insisted that Vicious clean up his heroin habit, so he was using methadone.
He was in a constant state of semi-withdrawal and furious that the band had blocked Spungen from accompanying them on the tour. McLaren had long been keeping Vicious on rations of $14.00 (US) a week but he still managed to find drugs.
To make matters worse, McLaren, ever eager for more chaos and careful that journalists were on-scene, booked the band, not into the clubs of New York, but into bars in Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. In San Antonio on 8 January, Vicious felt antagonised by an audience member and struck him on the head with his bass.
Before the Sex Pistols took the stage of the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas on 10 January, Vicious carved the words "gimme a fix" into his chest with a razor (later joking that "if you try to kill yourself [with a razor to the chest], it won't work").
He greeted the audience by calling them "cowboy faggots"; in return, he was struck by a full can of beer to the head. The next night, 11 January, he punched a hole in the Green Room wall after the band's show at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa.
It was long rumoured that at their 14 January show at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, Vicious did not bother to plug in his bass at all, although video from the show makes it clear when Jones's guitar cuts out during "Bodies" that Vicious was both playing bass and the right notes.
There is also a pre-show soundcheck audio recording where Rotten says to turn Vicious down because his bass was too loud. At the end of the show, Johnny Rotten uttered the famous quote "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?", marking the end of the Sex Pistols.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
During his short life, Sid Vicious had a high-profile and tumultuous relationship with Nancy Spungen, an American actress and groupie. Their intense, and often chaotic relationship was well-documented and remains a significant part of Vicious's legacy. While there is little known about his family life, it is understood that he had a challenging upbringing, which influenced his rebellious nature.
Given the lack of current relationships to speak of in 2025, Sid Vicious is remembered primarily for his connection with Nancy Spungen and the profound impact this relationship had on his life and career.
Anne had dropped out of school and joined the British Army, where she met Ritchie's father, a guardsman at Buckingham Palace and a semi-professional trombone player on the London jazz scene.
Shortly after Simon's birth, he and his mother moved to Ibiza, where they expected to be joined by his father, who did not appear and provided no financial support—Anne reportedly sold marijuana to get by.
With the help of the British Embassy in Spain, Anne returned to England and, in 1965, married Christopher Beverley, who died six months later of kidney failure. Anne and Ritchie settled in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where they lived from 1965 to 1971, and where Ritchie attended Sandown Court School (later renamed The Skinners' Kent Academy).
In 1971, the pair moved to Stoke Newington in Hackney, East London, where Ritchie attended Clissold Park School (later renamed Stoke Newington School). At this time, Ritchie began using the name 'John Beverley'.
Net Worth and Salary
Although Sid Vicious did not amass considerable wealth during his lifetime due to his early death, his estate and legacy have continued to generate income over the years. Estimates of Sid Vicious's net worth up until 2025 hover around $400,000, largely attributed to the sales of music, memorabilia, and merchandise. His persistent popularity in rock culture has ensured that he remains a profitable figure in the entertainment industry.
While it was widely reported, including by Rotten, that Mick Jagger paid Vicious' bail, that was untrue; Virgin Records continued to pay his legal fees. Anne Beverley, who was in court with Robison, was happy with the outcome, telling reporters "Now the public will know he is a good boy."
Career, Business, and Investments
Sid Vicious's career was primarily highlighted by his role in the Sex Pistols, where he became known for his raw playing style and rebellious persona. Despite being one of the last members to join the group, his impact was significant. Vicious's style and public persona resonated with the youth of the era, but his career was cut short by personal struggles, including substance abuse that ultimately led to his tragic death.
While he did not have time to explore various business ventures or investments during his lifetime, Sid's music has continued to inspire new generations and influence countless artists, ensuring that his legacy lives on beyond his time.
In 1975, Lydon, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock and Paul Cook, with McLaren as their manager, formed the Sex Pistols, the band Vicious would eventually join. Vicious was photographed watching the band attack their audience at the Nashville Rooms in Kensington in 1976. Vicious then began his own musical career.
Social Network
Although Sid Vicious was not part of the age of social media, his legacy thrives on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where fans and followers share content related to his life and music. Posthumous documentaries, biographies, and films about his life keep his story alive, engaging new audiences and fostering discussions about his influence on punk rock.
Bailey also hired forensic psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Teich to evaluate Vicious. After their initial conversation, during which Vicious was preoccupied by the 'working class in Berlin' and remained fixated on the television, Teich told Anne Beverley that Vicious must not be left alone.
Hours later, Beverley called Teich and said that Vicious had slashed his arms with a smashed light bulb. Teich returned to the hotel and called an ambulance. EMS staff arrived with the police; when Vicious saw them, he headed for the window but was blocked by Teich.
He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and then moved to the New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center in White Plains, New York. He was released on 26 November and returned to the Chelsea. At this time, Rotten tried to contact Vicious, but his calls were barred by Beverley and McLaren.
On 28 November, Vicious was interviewed by the Irish journalist Bernard Clarke. He said that Spungen's death was "meant to happen" and that "Nancy always said she'd die before she was 21". He said that he just wanted to have fun. When asked where he would like to be, he replied, "Under the ground".
Education
Information regarding Sid Vicious's formal education is limited. He attended an all-boys school but had a difficult family life that didn’t support consistent education. Instead, Vicious found his education in the streets of London, through the punk rock movement, and by surrounding himself with like-minded individuals who shared his passion for music and rebellion.
By 1973, Anne's life was consumed by her addiction to heroin, to the point where, as Ritchie's friend John Wardle claimed in a 2009 interview, she was unaware that her son was attending Kingsway College of Further Education (later known as Westminster Kingsway College), which was a community and vocational school for students with difficulties.
While at Kingsway, which he was likely attending to complete his O levels, Ritchie told a counsellor that he was contemplating suicide. When Ritchie turned 16 that year, Anne kicked him out of her home. In a 1988 interview, Anne said: "I remember saying to him: 'It's either you or me, and it's not going to be me.
I have got to try to preserve myself and you just fuck off.' He said: 'I've not got anywhere to go,' and I said: 'I don't care.' "