The Sex Pistols in the early years.

The Sex Pistols in the early years. (Photo: frankiboi/CC BY 3.0)

In 1976, the Sex Pistols put out their first single, ‘Anarchy in the UK.’ ”Anarchy for the UK,” sang-spat Johnny Rotten. “It’s coming sometime and maybe.” Forty years later, his prediction has finally come true: Joe Corré, lingerie magnate and heir to the punk fashion throne, has picked a fight with the British Library and other cultural institutions over how to celebrate the song’s anniversary.

Corré is the son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and designer Vivienne Westwood, both instrumental in bringing punk music and fashion to the mainstream. He has made his own reputation as a bad boy businessman and tabloid standby. In a press release acquired by Crack Magazine, Corré announced his plan to burn his enormous collection of punk memorabilia, which has an estimated worth of $7 million, in Camden on November 26th, in response to what he sees as the state-sanctioned defanging of punk.

“The Queen giving 2016, the Year of Punk, her official blessing is the most frightening thing I’ve ever heard,” Corré wrote in a press release acquired by Crack Magazine. Corré is referring to a series of events called Punk London, which, according to its website, aims to bring “some of the coolest cultural organizations and businesses in London… together to celebrate punk in all its ragged glory.” There will be a historical retrospective at the British Library, and “bespoke tattoo designs” at the Museum of London. You know, all very punk things in very punk spots.

In the statement, Corré invited fellow rockers to get with the spirit of the times and burn their stuff along with him. “A general malaise has now set in amongst the British public,” he wrote. “People are feeling numb… We need to explode all the shit once more.” Oi (oi oi).

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