Photocopied DS, signed in black ballpoint, “Glen Matlock,” “John Lydon,” “Stephen Jones,” “Paul Cook,” and “John Beverley,” two pages, 8.5 x 14, March 22, 1977. Agreement between the Sex Pistols and Glen Matlock in which Matlock leaves the group. In part: “I am now writing to you to confirm that I have resigned from the group as of February 11th 1977 and wish to be released from all further obligations…In consideration of such release which you all hereby agree to give me and in consideration of the sum of Two thousand nine hundred and sixty-six pounds ninety-eight pence now paid to me…I hereby release the manager and all other members of the group from any and all claims…and I accept the said sums in full and final settlement…In consideration of my participation in a recording session on the third day of March 1977 you hereby agree to pay me the sum of Twenty-five pounds…Notwithstanding the above I shall continue to be entitled to one-quarter of the net royalties received by the group as composers of musical compositions which I have co-written. I agree to treat the terms of this release confidential and not to divulge any aspect thereof to any person firm or company.” Signed at the conclusion by Matlock, and signed at the bottom in agreement by John Lydon, Stephen Jones, Paul Cook, and Sid Vicious, signing “John Beverly.” In fine condition, with some scattered light wrinkles and creases.
Having been with the Sex Pistols since their 1975 inception, in February 1977, word leaked out that bassist Glen Matlock was leaving the Sex Pistols. On February 28, the group’s manager Malcolm McLaren sent a telegram to Britain’s leading rock music paper New Musical Expressconfirming the split. He claimed that Matlock had been “thrown out...because he went on too long about Paul McCartney.... The Beatles was too much.” In an interview a few months afterwards, guitarist Steve Jones echoed the charge that Matlock had been sacked because he “liked The Beatles.”
In regards to the March 3, 1977, recording session Matlock referred to in the agreement, there is continuing disagreement and conjecture as to what actually transpired on that day. Given Vicious’s incompetence, Matlock had, indeed, been invited to record as a session musician on what would become the Sex Pistols debut album, Never Mind The Bollocks. In his autobiography, Matlock says he agreed to “help out,” but then suggests that he cut all ties after McLaren issued the 28 February NME telegram announcing Matlock had been fired for liking the Beatles. In fact, Matlock did play as a hired hand on 3 March, for what Jon Savage describes as an “audition session.” In his autobiography, Lydon claims that Matlock’s work-for-hire for his ex-band was extensive, much more so than any other source reports, seemingly to amplify a putdown: “I think I’d rather die than do something like that.” Music historian David Howard states unambiguously that Matlock did not perform on any of the Never Mind The Bollocks recording sessions. It was Steve Jones who ultimately played most of the bass parts during the recordings. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.
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