12 Days on the Road, The Sex Pistols and America

The Sex Pistols were one of the fore-fathers of punk rock in the U.K. This book chronicles the chaos and anarchy that ensued on their failed 1978 tour of America. From Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious getting their first taste of America's police, to Paul Cook and Steve Jones' beautifully obscene appearence on a local radio show, this book tells it all. It even has a "Where are they now" part in the back. This book is the closest anyone will ever get to hearing of the Sex Pistols tour. I wasn't born yet, (not until 1982), and I felt as if I was right there with them, because the book engrosses you. It's a definite page turner, one that you just can't put down, because you're always wondering about something. "Is Sid going to die of withdrawl?" "Will Paul kill himself?" "Is Johnny going to blow up in everyone's face?" "Is Sid ever going to bathe?" It's all here. I recommend it highly.

The reason why I'm really impressed with this book is the fact that it documents the band's ill-fated (and final) 12 day US tour in 1978 and is seen from the perspective of the band's tour manager Noel E. Monk. As it occurs outside of the UK it is devoid of any of the mass hype that followed the band around on a daily basis and portrays the individual band members in their true light in front of a curious audience who, although were aware of the band, weren't aware of their songs. 

Monk has a great recall of the day to day goings on during the tour and each of the 12 days has it's own chapter. The relationship that Monk has to establish with Sid (to ensure that Sid doesn't disappear) is fascinating and shows a very small side to Sid that not many people got to experience. On top of this Monk has to handle the Record Company Execs (Warners), the lack of Malcolm McLaren's management skills, the US & UK media, the fans & groupies and, most incredibly, Tom Forcade and his camera crew trying to get into every show (unsuccessfully). 

The 238 pages of this book describes in detail the deterioration of the band that results in Sid and Johnny making their own separate ways to New York while McLaren, Cook and Jones journeyed onto Rio to meet up with Ronnie Biggs. This tour signified the end of the Sex Pistols live performances, as well as Rotten's involvement, with the show at Winterland in San Francisco being the final offering. 

The book has some great moments and key players including Monk himself, Howie Klein (who setup the now legendary radio interviews on KSJO), the Dallas show and the fans that were won over, Tom Forcade and Glen Allison who's job it was to get Sid bathed or showered when the smell was more than unbearable! 

Read this book if you are a fan of the Sex Pistols or, like me, just want an overall understanding of the punk rock and new wave scene in the last 70's and early 80's.