'So whilst they were musically better, I think the Sex Pistols brought something new to the stage and I get why so many artists were surprised when they saw them playing.'
Well, they pinched the 'new' with the help of Malcolm
from the Dolls.
Though the Dolls were inspired by the Kinks and Charles Ludlums Ridiculous theater. So if one looks, they'll find what has come before. Though unlike most punk, the Dolls really created something that could be at that time called
new, yes it was 'glam' but a glam that went deeper with it's street smart wits and in your face and on a mission gang mentality that the Sweets and Glitters just didn't have. ( just my opinion)
punk? who pushed the punk button ? Reed, Dolls, Stooges, Suicide, T.G
?.....
TG was/is influential, but people felt safer with punk rock because it could be put into a box, recognizable as it's really just rock 'n' roll, and it could be packaged and sold easier, at that time.
Gen of TG read that all you need to be 'punk' is to learn three chords, and he said something along the lines of... well how about NO chords ! what's more punk than that?! Also, I think Gen always thought of TG as something closer to modern classical.
but you
Oh my I'm sure already knew this.
.