U.K.: PUNK ROCK CULT INVOLVED IN LONDON STREET FIGHTING.

Record ID: 165417

  • Title: U.K.: PUNK ROCK CULT INVOLVED IN LONDON STREET FIGHTING.
  • Date: 8th August 1977
  • Summary: London , England (6 August 1977) ( Reuters) SV ZOOM INTO CU Kings Road theatre SV Punks being searched by police SV PAN Teds walking down road SV Punk rock posters SV Interviewer talking with punk girl (6 shots) SV interior of Punks boutique with Vivienne Westwood (Fashion designer , in red jacket) behind counter of punk clothes boutique Let It Rock (aka Sex, Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die, Seditionaries) SV Punks throwing flowers down road and into bus (3 shots) SV Punks being searched by police (2 shots) SV Punks roaming streets and being questioned by police (2 shots) SV Punk being interviewed (3 shots) PUNK GIRL: "Yeah, well it's not that much fun, it's every Saturday the Teds come down here and the Punks come down here, you know the groups gather and there's clashes and things like that but I think it's a bit blown up really." REPORTER: "What about your appearance, I mean it is a little bit strange isn't it?" PUNK GIRL: "Yeah well I don't like to look like everybody else I suppose I'm an extrovert. I like to walk down the road and everybody look at me and things like that. But, I suppose I just want to be different, I don't want to be like everybody else." REPORTER: "What about the allegations of using amphetamines and things like that....drugs and that." PUNK GIRL: "Yeah, well people use them every now and then I suppose if they want to, but they don't use it that much." PUNK YOUTH: "No they just wanted to know if I had any knives on me or anything like that." REPORTER: "Did you? Did you have any knives?" PUNK YOUTH: "No they'd have nicked me wouldn't they if I had a knife on me, I ain't. Or any chains or anything like that." REPORTER: "When did they pick you up? Walking along the street, was it?" PUNK YOUTH: "Yeah, just because you're walking in the middle of the road like." REPORTER: "What do you come here for? A bit of a stir?" PUNK BOY: "No, buy some clothes." REPORTER: "And you don't come here to stir anything up?" PUNK YOUTH: "No just the Teddy boys always start on me, and I seem to steam into them." REPORTER: "What's the cause of the fight?" PUNK YOUTH: "Why, because I don't like them." REPORTER: "You don't like them, but you're both English?" PUNK YOUTH: "Yeah." REPORTER: "Bit stupid isn't it?" PUNK YOUTH: "No, it's good. No they start no me and I have to start on them, don't I?" REPORTER: "so you give it back, eh?" PUNK YOUTH: "Yeah." REPORTER: "Ill probably see you here." PUNK YOUTH: "Yeah, dead or alive. All right see you." REPORTER: "Right mate." BB/0200 Details The new punk rock cult that's developed in England is leading to outbreaks of street fighting among youths in London. One of the main trouble spots is in London's Kings Road where on Saturdays skirmishes have developed between the punk rockers and the rival Teddy boys. Visnews' Ian McMinn went to the area and spoke to several punk rockers. SYNOPSIS: The long running Rocky Horror Show is in the heart of punk rock territory in fashionable Chelsea. Nearby Sloane Square is traditionally teddy boy territory. Recently it has been the battleground for two rival groups. The teddy boys originated in the days of rock and roll in the '50s but punk rock is relatively new. Its hallmarks are coloured hair, and loud, crude music. The punk rockers say they are anti-commercialism yet their de dress can cost one hundred dollars an outfit. They also speak of anarchy and are angry about Britain's unemployment. They say they are reflecting the truth as they see it and feel that if their audiences are as angry as they, something may be done. The punk rockers are frequently searched by police looking for ornaments and weapons that inflict serious wounds on their opponents. At punk concerts nicknamed 'dole queue rock' there have been bashings, drug overdoses and even deaths. Story also includes interior of un-named Punk boutique - Vivienne Westwood's shop and shows Vivienne Westwood. (This is the earliest footage of her in the Reuters archive).
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords:
  • Reuters ID:
  • Story Text:
Register