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Feb. 2, 1979

“Once you start on that heroin trail of self-pity,” said John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of his troubled former bandmate Sid Vicious, “it’s gone.” Vicious, born John Simon Ritchie, died of a drug overdose in a Greenwich Village apartment. His mother found him dead in bed. He was an unskilled bass player for the Sex Pistols, shortlived British punk-rock icons and a record-label invention. Vicious’s spotlight moment was his singing of the Sinatra-famous song and statement, My Way. On the day before his death, Vicious had been released on $50,000 bail pending trial for the murder of his former girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, months earlier. He celebrated his freedom with a needle and a spoon. The record showed he took the blows; his way was not a good way.

Sid Vicious & Johnny Rotten perform at Randy's Rodeo Nightclub, San Antonio, on the Sex Pistols final tour in 1978. (Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty)

Nancy Spungen, Vicious and Lemmy from Motorhead, undated. (Kerstin Rodgers/Redferns/Getty)

Sex Pistols perform on Jan. 7, 1978 in Memphis during the second stop of their American tour. (AP Photo)

Vicious performing live onstage at the Taleisyn Ballroom in Memphis on the final tour. (Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty)

Vicious having a drink on the set of the Pretty Vacant video shoot in 1977. (Virginia Turbett/Redferns/Getty)

Vicious poses for his mugshot after being arrested by New York City police for allegedly murdering his girlfriend Nancy Spungen on Dec. 8, 1978 in New York City. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

New York police escort Vicious shortly before he was charged with murder in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Nancy Laura Spungen, at New York's Chelsea Hotel. (AP Photo)

Police carry Vicious' body from a Greenwich Village apartment Feb. 2, 1979. Authorities said Vicious apparently died of a heroine overdose. He had been released on $50,000 bail pending trial in the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)