Glen Matlock is best known as the bassist and songwriter of the iconic punk band, The Sex Pistols. He was born September 24, 1956 in Paddington, London, England.
Matlock grew up in London, where he was exposed to an array of musical influences from an early age. As a child, he was heavily influenced by American blues and rock music, and was a fan of the Rolling Stones and The Who. He was also a big fan of The Beatles, and his love of music led him to take up the bass guitar when he was fourteen.
Matlock’s early musical career saw him playing in various bands around London, including The Boys and The Vibrators. In 1975, he met John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) and the two quickly became friends. Lydon invited Matlock to join his new band, The Sex Pistols, and Matlock accepted, becoming the band’s first bassist.
Matlock wrote many of the songs for The Sex Pistols’ first album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, which was released in 1977 and is considered to be one of the most influential punk albums of all time. After leaving the band in early 1977, Matlock went on to form the bands Rich Kids and The Philistines, as well as releasing solo material.
Throughout the 1980s, Matlock worked with various bands and artists, including Ian Dury and The Blockheads, and Iggy Pop. In the 1990s, he reunited with the original members of The Sex Pistols for a series of reunion shows, and in 2007, he performed as part of the ‘Filthy Lucre Tour’.
In recent years, Matlock has continued to perform and record, releasing a number of solo albums and performing with a variety of bands. He has also become involved in the world of fashion, designing a clothing line for the British label, Fred Perry. Matlock is currently the bassist for the band, Slinky Vagabond.
Matlock’s influence on punk music has been significant, and his iconic bass playing has been a major influence on generations of punk bands. His music has stood the test of time, and he continues to be an influential figure in the punk scene.
