‘Minute of Mayhem,’ Malcolm McLaren's Laid to Rest in England

by Jordon Chiarelli | April 22, 2010 at 10:23 am

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Sid Vicious’ song, “My Way” blared over a PA at Highgate Cemetery this morning as punk pioneer Malcolm McLaren was buried in Northern England.

McLaren died of mesothelioma, a form of cancer, on April 8th at the age of 64 and now rests in the famous cemetery which is shared by the likes of Karl Marx and sculptor Henry Moore.

McLaren is best known for his management of 70’s punk band The Sex Pistols and later, The New York Dolls.

“Mourners - including McLaren's former partner Dame Vivienne Westwood, Adam Ant, Bob Geldof and Sex Pistols' drummer Paul Cook - sang along to McLaren's recording of the Max Bygraves song You Need Hands, which had featured in the film (The Great Rock and Roll Swindle).”

Source: independent.co.uk

In days leading up to his death, McLaren insisted that during his funeral, patrons celebrate with music and happiness, which they did. The 200-song dance party, dubbed “Minute of Meyhem,” saw many people “dancing and shedding a tear.”

Source: independent.co.uk

The Ultimate Rebel

As McLaren was laid to rest, onlookers could see that his coffin read, “Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die,” which was the original title of his clothing store, later renamed, “Sex,” the shop was the beacon of the UK punk movement in the late 70’s.

McLaren will not only be remembered as manager to the likes the aforementioned, but also, Bow Wow Wow and Adam Ant and also having a few charted hits of his own, “Buffalo Girls” and “Double Dutch.”

But to really get a sense of the man, his personal slogan was “cash from chaos,” which sums him up perfectly and documented in the movie, The Great Rock and Roll Swindle.

Malcolm McLaren: 1946 – 2010