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Apathy for the Devil: A Seventies Memoir of Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll, and Murder

Ian McEwan

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In Apathy for the Devil, Nick Kent tells the story of his life in the 1970s, a time of great social and political change. Kent was a young music journalist at the time, and he was at the center of the London punk scene. He witnessed the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Ramones, and he rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in music, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and David Bowie.

Apathy for the Devil: A Seventies Memoir

by Nick Kent

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	936 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	419 pages

Kent's memoir is a fascinating and often shocking account of a tumultuous decade. He writes about the drug-fueled excesses of the punk scene, the violence and chaos of the Notting Hill riots, and the murder of Sid Vicious. He also reflects on the political and social tensions of the time, and he offers his own insights into the era's music and culture.

Apathy for the Devil is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of punk rock or the 1970s in general. Kent's writing is sharp and incisive, and he has a unique perspective on one of the most important and influential decades in recent history.

The London Punk Scene

The London punk scene emerged in the mid-1970s as a reaction to the perceived excesses of the mainstream rock scene. Punk bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Ramones played loud, fast, and aggressive music that was often critical of the status quo. The punk scene was also characterized by its DIY ethos and its rejection of traditional values.

Nick Kent was one of the first journalists to write about the punk scene. He was a staff writer for the NME, and he was one of the few people who took the punk bands seriously. Kent's writing helped to legitimize the punk scene, and he played a key role in its development.

The London punk scene was a time of great excitement and creativity. It was a time when anything seemed possible, and when the old rules no longer applied. Kent's memoir captures the energy and excitement of the time, and it offers a unique glimpse into one of the most important cultural movements of the 20th century.

The Rise and Fall of the Sex Pistols

The Sex Pistols were one of the most influential punk bands of all time. They were formed in London in 1975, and their lineup included Johnny Rotten on vocals, Steve Jones on guitar, Glen Matlock on bass, and Paul Cook on drums. The Sex Pistols were known for their aggressive music and their confrontational lyrics, which often dealt with topics such as anarchy, violence, and nihilism.

The Sex Pistols' career was brief but tumultuous. They released only one album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, before they broke up in 1978. However, their music and their image had a profound impact on the punk scene and on popular culture in general.

Nick Kent was a close friend of the Sex Pistols, and he was one of the few journalists who was able to get behind the band's public facade. In Apathy for the Devil, Kent provides a detailed account of the Sex Pistols' rise and fall, and he offers his own insights into the band's music and its impact on the punk scene.

The Murder of Sid Vicious

Sid Vicious was the bassist for the Sex Pistols, and he was one of the most iconic figures in the punk scene. Vicious was known for his heroin addiction and his violent behavior, and he was often involved in fights and other altercations. In 1978, Vicious was arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.

The murder of Nancy Spungen was a tragedy that shocked the punk scene. Vicious was convicted of the murder, but he died of a heroin overdose before he could be sentenced. The murder of Nancy Spungen remains one of the most unsolved mysteries in punk rock history.

Nick Kent was a friend of both Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen, and he was one of the few people who was present at the scene of the murder. In Apathy for the Devil, Kent provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the murder, and he offers his own insights into the tragedy.

Apathy for the Devil: A Must-Read for Fans of Punk Rock

Apathy for the Devil is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of punk rock. Nick Kent's writing is sharp and incisive, and he has a unique perspective on one of the most important and influential decades in recent history. Apathy for the Devil is a fascinating and often shocking account of a tumultuous decade, and it offers a unique glimpse into one of the most important cultural movements of the 20th century.

Apathy for the Devil: A Seventies Memoir

by Nick Kent

4.5 out of 5