On June 4, 1976, at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester, Sex Pistols played in front of roughly 40 people. Among the audience were future members of Joy Division, The Smiths, The Fall, and Buzzcocks. That concert for 40 people ended up changing British music history. Everyone who was there went home and started a band.

The philosophy of punk was simple: anyone can play. Three chords are enough. The message matters more than technical skill. Bands like Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Dead Kennedys proved that music could be direct, angry, and honest without compromise.

“God Save the Queen” was banned by the BBC but still reached number 2 on the charts. “Anarchy in the U.K.” shocked British television. Punk was banned, boycotted, and ridiculed by the music industry — exactly what it needed to grow.

Punk didn’t have polish, but it had attitude. That attitude influenced fashion, art, graphic design, film, and most importantly, the idea that any form of expression is legitimate. If you have something to say, say it. If no one lets you play, play anyway. If the system ignores you, build your own system.