Check Out How Your Favorite Musicians Stumbled Into Choosing Their Now-Iconic Names

The Sex Pistols Were Named After Their Sponsor

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Like many other bands, The Sex Pistols name evolved slowly over several years. The original core of the band was formed in 1972 and named The Strand. In between shows, the group spent a lot of time at an “anti-fashion” S&M clothing store owned by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood called Sex.

In 1974, McLaren became the band’s manager. McLaren renamed the group after the shop’s name and added Pistols to the end because he said he just liked the sound of it. The name stuck and the band embodied the alt-rock punk vibes that it lends itself to.

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