Thursday 8 April 2010

Malcolm McLaren


All over t'internet tonight is news of the untimely death of Malcolm McLaren, "Punk mogul" ( according to the NME ), musician, fashion guru, TV presenter, artist and, to be honest, a bit of a prat. Shamelessly self-promoting and self-important, McLaren was never the less an anarchist ( or "situationist" ) at heart who had a rare talent for stirring things up and courting controversy. As a manager/svengali he brought us the following:

The Sex Pistols: "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

Adam Ant in pre-Dandy Highwayman days.

Bow Wow Wow - Controversial Album Sleeve! Shock! Horror!

McLaren also unsuccessfully managed the New York Dolls, helped spread the hip hop gospel with Afrika Bambaataa and "Duck Rock", sold pervy clothes to middle-aged businessmen ( see photo above ), smuggled opera into the charts, and even composed music for British Airways adverts. Suffice it to say ( that's a great phrase! ) McLaren was a true character, one of the few in a business now taken over by accountants and Simon bloody Cowell.

RIP Malcolm McLaren 22 Jan. 1946 - 8 April 2010

2 comments:

Capes on Film said...

Just stopping by for a quick read.Don't know a lot about McLaren beyond the Pistols, so I learned something here. I remember reading his name for the first time in an issue of Creem magazine in '77. I also recall him having some funny lines in "The Filth and the Fury". Anyway, enjoyed the post. Stay well.

Simon B said...

Hi Matthew, thanks for stopping by. McLaren was certainly an interesting, if often annoying, character. Like I said, there aren't many like him left.

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