Alan G. Parker
When the late great Sean Body, founder of Helter Skelter, commissioned this book he wanted the style to be that of 'two mates having a chat over a pint'. Parker, with O'Shea, has captured that brief brilliantly in a book that features many unique anecdotes about the Sex Pistols from inception to (numerous) comeback gigs. Parker's close relationship to Malcolm McLaren, Glenn Matlock and Anne Ritchie gives him a privileged inside view of the band and both authors have grown up the Sex Pistols providing the soundtrack to their lives. The book has to cover the obvious ground, such as the infamous Grundy interview or the death of Sid Vicious in New York, but it is the new anecdotes that will appeal to fans -- anecdotes supplied by people who were there, such as the roadie Roadent who quit working for the Clash for the Pistols and therefore is well placed to comment on the feud between the two bands. The many re-formations are also covered. Soundcheck Books is proud to have licensed this never before published work from Helter Skelter. First mooted in 2005, Parker's stock has since risen by his film work -- particularly as the director of Who Killed Nancy. He has fully updated the work, including a touching tribute to McLaren who died in 2010. There hasn't really been much of note written about the band since Jon Savage's England's Dreaming, making Young Flesh Required timely and relevant. The book has an 8 page plate section of colour and b/w images as well as 35 b/w images of memorabilia in with the text - many have never been seen in a book before.
Music
Young Flesh Required: Growing Up with the Sex Pistols