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Anarchy in the U.K.: A sonic and visual gateway to the birth of punk

Photographer Jonh Ingham talks about documenting the early days of punk and provides a musical tour of the late '70s scene in the UK.
Jonh Ingham's book of photography of punk's early days featuring figures like John Lydon (above) is entitled Spirit of '76: London Punk Eyewitness. (Jonh Ingham)

The U.K.'s punk rock scene was a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm in the '70s. Punk's fashion, its aggressive, fast-paced sound, anti-establishment rhetoric and do-it-yourself attitude has influenced artists from all fields ever since.

Jonh Ingham was a music journalist back in the '70s and got swept up in the movement, becoming the unofficial photographer of punk. Ingham's new book of his photography, Spirit of '76: London Punk Eyewitness (out now), takes us on a musical trip through the origins of London's highly influential punk rock scene. 

— Produced by Ben Edwards


Sex Pistols, "God Save the Queen"

Sex Pistols, "Anarchy in the U.K."

The Clash, "White Riot"

Junior Murvin, "Police and Thieves"

The Clash, "Police and Thieves"