Historically, the event has become seen as marking a watershed moment for punk rock, as it began to move from the underground and emerge into the mainstream music scene.
In early September 1976, concert promoter Ron Watts approached Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, the leaders of the new British punk rock scene, and proposed that they headline the event.
[2] The enthusiasm for this event was partly due to the very positive and extensive promotion by Melody Maker journalist Caroline Coon.
[1][failed verification] However, amongst the verified attendees were: Paul Weller of the Jam, Shane MacGowan (later of the Nipple Erectors and the Pogues), Shanne Bradley (of the Nipple Erectors and the Men They Couldn't Hang), Colin Newman of Wire,[5] Viv Albertine of the Slits, Chrissie Hynde (later of the Pretenders), Jah Wobble (later of PiL), Vivienne Westwood (McLaren's then partner and co-manager of the Chelsea boutique Sex), Kevin Haskins and his brother David J (later of Bauhaus), Gaye Advert and T. V. Smith (later of The Adverts), as well as members of the Bromley Contingent, the punk fashion avant-garde, Andrew Czezowski (ex-manager of the Damned) and Susan Carrington, who went on to start the Roxy with Barry Jones.
The event was marred by violence when a beer glass, thrown by then Banshees drummer and later Sex Pistols bass player Sid Vicious during the Damned's performance shattered against a pillar, blinding a young girl in one eye.