On Christmas Day, 1977, the Pistols quietly organized a benefit gig for the Fire Brigade Union. This was done as surreptitiously as possible, for if the council discovered the Pistols were playing (especially on the Lord’s birthday), the venue would be closed immediately. Two shows were arranged at Ivanhoe’s club: the first was a matinee for the children, at which cake, food, presents were distributed by the band, as John Lydon later said:
“Huddersfield I remember very fondly. Two concerts, a matinee with children throwing pies at me…”
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Do firefighters go on strike just so famous punks will perform for them?
This unplanned “reunion” was their first performance together in 20 years, and their last before Joe’s death.
