Today, the name “Sid Vicious” is practically synonymous with punk, nihilism and self-destruction. But before Sid, there was a young boy named Simon John Ritchie whose peripatetic childhood was marked by neglect, instability and drugs. 

As bassist of the Sex Pistols, Sid’s rise to fame was driven not by musical talent but by his anarchic persona and darkly violent streak - “a living circus” as his fellow band member once described him. He was celebrated for his worst and pushed into the spotlight with little to no duty of care, eventually dying of an overdose at only 21 years old.

In this episode, Matt takes us on the complex and shockingly short journey of Sid Vicious - or rather, Simon John Ritchie. Drawing on his experience as a mental health professional, Matt offers a more compassionate perspective on the infamous punk icon, revealing a sad but all too familiar tale of exploitation and spectacle at the expense of vulnerable individuals.

Today’s ‘One For The Road’ is the Youtuber Mary Spender. First and foremost a brilliant musician, she also publishes fascinating video essays on her experience of the music industry. Do check out her channel - https://www.youtube.com/maryspender 

Content Warnings: drug addiction, overdose, childhood neglect, childhood abandonment, animal cruelty, self-harm, death by stabbing

If you or someone you know has been affected by the themes in this episode, there are some useful organisations on Attune’s website that can be of help: www.we-are-attune.com/podcast 

Attune, as a dedicated provider of mental health and well-being services, is committed to delivering holistic support and resources. With its team of skilled professionals, Attune excels in recognising and responding to the intricate needs of people and teams in talent-based industries.

You can learn more about Attune through our website: https://www.we-are-attune.com/

Follow Attune on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_are_attune/#

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@weareattune 

and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-attune/ 

Empathy For The Devil is produced by Message Heard

Listen to more Message Heard shows through our website: https://messageheard.com/

Follow Message Heard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/messageheard/mycompany/

and Twitter: https://x.com/messageheard?lang=en-GB 

This is a Message Heard Production

Producer and Editor - Emma Werner

Senior Producer - Harry Stott

Executive Producer - Sandra Ferrari

Videographer - Ethan Judd

Sound and Mix Engineer - Lizzie Andrews

Production Coordinator - Kirsty McLean

Filmed at ID Studios

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Empathy For The Devil Season 2 is brought to you in partnership with London Records. 

Check out their podcast ‘Hit That Perfect Beat - The London Records Story’, a deep dive into the legendary label behind some of the most iconic hits of the last 50 years, featuring illuminating interviews with artists such as Bananarama, Allsaints and many more.