A polarizing figure in art, music, and fashion, Malcolm McLaren forever changed how we see and hear pop culture. Reinventing public relations and marketing, he was the first promoter to put style and reputation before talent and ability. After learning how perception and image can influence culture from a clothing store he owned with visionary designer Vivienne Westwood, McLaren went on to create such bands as the Sex Pistols, Adam and the Ants, Bow Wow Wow, and others. By manipulating press and media, McLaren was able to make a band mythic before you had even heard their music.

One of the best and most famous examples is when McLaren booked the Sex Pistols on their first American tour. By having the band appear in venues in the American south (including Texas), the band was guaranteed to perform in front of hostile audiences which would then fuel their public relations fire. The band was infamous before anyone had barely heard a note of music.

Later projects reflected McLarens love of style and culture, from the Westwood designed stage personas of Adam Ant, to the beautiful but scandalously underage Annabella Lwin of Bow Wow Wow. He was a true visionary that helped popularize trends that are still with us now – from vogueing, interest in world music, sampling & scratching, linking fine art to music, all press is good press, utilizing the power of scandal, to multi-media/cross platform promotional ideas.

Bow Wow Wow wearing (or not wearing) Westwood/McLaren new romantic clothing on an early album cover based on the Manet painting “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe”.

Filed under: History, Music, Texas by Stephen : 1 Comment »