Wally Nightingale, born Warwick Nightingale, was an English musician.

He was the guitarist and founder of the band which would eventually become the Sex Pistols. He left in 1975 after Malcolm McLaren agreed to manage the band, but "... only if we got rid of Wally," (according to guitarist Steve Jones). Nightingale died in 1996, apparently from complications of substance abuse.

Nightingale and the Sex Pistols

Few other details of his life are known; in fact, some doubt that Nightingale ever existed. However, in the documentary The Filth and The Fury, drummer Paul Cook says "I think it was Wally, the famous Wally Nightingale, who had said 'Well, let's start a band' ," accompanied by pictures presumably showing the early band (which was Nightingale on guitar, Steve Jones on bass and vocals, and himself (Cook) on drums).

No name for the band is given in the film, but other sources indicate that it was called The Strand (after a song by Roxy Music). They apparently rehearsed quite a lot, and may have played a few gigs in the area. In toto, The Strand consisted of Steve Jones on vocals, Wally Nightingale on guitar, Jimmy Mackin on organ, Steve Hayes on bass and Paul Cook on drums.

However, McLaren thought Nightingale was "too nice", and by 1975 he and Jones were in disagreement over the direction the band should take. Having been after McLaren to manage them for some time because of his connections in the music business, Cook and Jones eventually decided to take his advice. Jones switched to guitar, a new bass player was found, and the band continued on as The Swankers, without founder Nightingale.

Fictional portrayals

A character based upon Nightingale, billed as "Wally Hairstyle", appeared in the 1986 Sid Vicious biopic Sid & Nancy, portrayed by Graham Fletcher-Cook.

References

• Interview with Wally Nightengale
• Wally Nightingale with Strand