Malcolm McLaren passes, aged 64

Malcolm Mclaren, former manager of the Sex Pistols and one of the more prominent figures of the punk era, has died, aged 64. McLaren had been battling an aggressive form of cancer and passed away in an undisclosed era in Switzerland yesterday.

Best known for his management, or ‘mismanagement’, of the Sex Pistols, who’s verbose, devil may care attitude, revolutionized the British, and global, music scene in the late 1970′s. McLaren has been attributed much of the bands success as his knack for self-promotion was undeniable was quoted in saying “what occurred to me was that it didn’t matter if they were bad” (about the Sex Pistols), and who took that attitude and made the Sex Pistols one of the most well-known, highly publicized and iconic bands of the punk era.

“what occurred to me was that it didn’t matter if they were bad” – McLaren

McLaren’s rebellious side stayed strong even in the post-pistols era, and despite making advertising campaigns for British Airways and films alongside the likes of Steven Spielberg, he nurtured this anarchic tendency by running for mayor of London and promising to establish a legal brothel outside parliament, if elected.

His ventures also took him further afield in the music industry and his 1980′s hip-hop hit ‘Buffalo Gals’ has been cited as one of the most inspiring music videos in the hip hop community as it is one of the first music videos to fully feature the art break-dancing.

Funeral arrangements are being made, and McLaren is said to have requested to be buried in north London’s highgate cemetery.

McLaren was an inspiration, revolutionary and ingenious manipulator of mainstream media and will be sorely missed.

Malcolm McLaren

22 January 1946 – 8 April 2010