Bill Grundy’s interview with the Sex Pistols on 1 December 1976, broadcast by Thames Television on the Today program.
Transcript of the interview-
Grundy: [To camera] They are punk rockers. The new craze, they tell me. Their heroes? Not the nice, clean Rolling Stones…you see they are as drunk as I am … they are clean by comparison. They’re a group called the Sex Pistols, and I am surrounded by all of them…
Jones: [Reading the autocue]…in action!
Grundy: Just let us see the Sex Pistols in action. Come on chicks…
[Film of the Sex Pistols performing Anarchy In The U.K.then back to Grundy]
Grundy: I am told that that group [hits his knee with sheaf of papers] have received £40,000 from a record company. Doesn’t that seem, er, to be slightly opposed to their anti-materialistic view of life?
Matlock: No, the more the merrier.
Grundy: Really?
Matlock: Oh yeah.
Grundy: Well tell me more then.
Grundy: I don’t know, have you?
Matlock: Yeah, it’s all gone.
Grundy: Really?
Jones: Down the boozer.
Grundy: Really? Good Lord! Now I want to know one thing …
Matlock: What?
Grundy: Are you serious or are you just making me…trying to make me laugh?
Matlock: No, it’s all gone. Gone.
Grundy: Really?
Matlock: Yeah.
Grundy: No, but I mean about what you’re doing.
Matlock: Oh yeah.
Grundy: You are serious?
Matlock: Mmm.
Grundy: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Brahms have all died…
Rotten: They’re all heroes of ours, ain’t they?
Grundy: Really…what? What were you saying, sir?
Rotten: They’re wonderful people.
Grundy: Are they?
Rotten: Oh yes! They really turn us on.
Jones: But they’re dead!
Grundy: Well suppose they turn other people on?
Rotten: [Under his breath] That’s just their tough shit.
Grundy: It’s what?
Rotten: Nothing. A rude word. Next question.
Grundy: No, no, what was the rude word?
Rotten: Shit.
Grundy: Was it really? Good heavens, you frighten me to death.
Rotten: Oh alright, so you’re playing games. I’m really impressed.
Grundy: [Turning to those standing behind the band] What about you girls behind?
Matlock: He’s like yer dad, innee, this geezer?
Grundy: Are you, er…
Matlock: Or your grandad.
Grundy: [To Sioux] Are you worried, or are you just enjoying yourself?
Sioux: Enjoying myself.
Grundy: Are you?
Sioux: Yeah.
Grundy: Ah, that’s what I thought you were doing.
Sioux: I always wanted to meet you.
Grundy: Did you really?
Sioux: Yeah.
Grundy: We’ll meet afterwards, shall we? [Sioux does a camp pout]
Jones: You dirty sod. You dirty old man!
Grundy: Well keep going, chief, keep going. Go on, you’ve got another five seconds. Say something outrageous.
Jones: You dirty bastard!
Grundy: Go on, again.
[Laughter from the group]
Grundy: What a clever boy!
Grundy: Well, that’s it for tonight. The other rocker, Eamonn, and I’m saying nothing else about him, will be back tomorrow. I’ll be seeing you soon, I hope. I’m not seeing you [the band] again. From me, though, goodnight.
[The signature tune plays and the credits roll. Rotten looks at his watch, Jones starts dancing to the music.]
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