Byname of: John Simon Ritchie (Show more) Born: May 10, 1957, London, England (Show more) Died: February 2, 1979, Manhattan, New York, U.S. (aged 21) (Show more) Sid Vicious (born May 10, 1957, London, England—died February 2, 1979, Manhattan, New York, U.S.) was an English bass player and singer who achieved fame as a member of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols in the late 1970s. Vicious’s short life and career were marked by violence, nihilism, rebellion, and apathy, which made him the ultimate icon of the confrontational style of music that he helped to pioneer. The only child of Anne Randall (née McDonald, later Beverley) and John Ritchie, who was a guard at Buckingham Palace in London, John Simon Ritchie grew up in poverty. His ...(100 of 1504 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!