Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks record and released a four-track EP, Spiral Scratch on their own New Hormones label, making them perhaps the first punk group to establish an independent record label
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Pete Shelley Biography and Timeline
Follow Pete Shelley through 20 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Pete Shelley, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
20Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1975–2005Years on this page
1975
Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks are formed by guitarist/singer Pete Shelley (real name Peter McNeish) and singer Howard Devoto (real name Howard Trafford), both students at Bolton Institute of Technology (now the University of Bolton).
Buzzcocks
The name "Buzzcocks" partially comes from the Manchester slang term cock meaning youngster.
Buzzcocks
and its use in the 1970s ITV drama serial Rock Follies which included the catch phrases "thats the buzz, cocks" and "give me a buzz, cock!".
New Hormones
Buzzcocks record and released a four-track EP, Spiral Scratch on their own New Hormones label, making them perhaps the first punk group to establish an independent record label
1976
New Hormones
Once the Buzzcocks had recruited bass guitarist Steve Diggle and drummer John Maher, they made their debut opening for the Sex Pistols' second Manchester concert
1977
Buzzcocks Lead Singer
Becomes Buzzcocks' principal singer after Howard Devoto leaves, while continuing as a central songwriter.
Role range: 1975-2018
Spiral Scratch EP
Buzzcocks independently release the Spiral Scratch EP, an influential example of punk's do-it-yourself approach.
Role range: 1975-2018
1978
Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks release "What Do I Get"
What Do I Get Chart Entry
What Do I Get becomes Buzzcocks' first Official Singles Chart hit and reaches the UK Top Forty.
Role range: 1975-2018
Another Music in a Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks' debut album Another Music in a Different Kitchen enters the UK chart and peaks at number fifteen.
Role range: 1975-2018
I Don't Mind Chart Entry
I Don't Mind enters the Official Singles Chart as Buzzcocks continue their rapid run of releases.
Role range: 1975-2018
Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks release "Ever Fallen in Love?"
Ever Fallen in Love
Ever Fallen in Love enters the Official Singles Chart and becomes Buzzcocks' best-known 1970s hit.
Role range: 1975-2018
Love Bites Album
Buzzcocks' second album Love Bites enters the UK albums chart and peaks at number thirteen.
Role range: 1975-2018
Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks release "Another Music in a Different Kitchen"
1979
A Different Kind of Tension
Buzzcocks' third album A Different Kind of Tension enters the UK albums chart.
Role range: 1975-2018
Buzzcocks
The Buzzcocks release "A Different Kind of Tension"
2002
Buzzcocks
Shelley and Devoto teamed up for the first time since 1976, producing the album Buzzkunst, a play on the German word for "Art"
2005
Buzzcocks
Shelley re-records "Ever Fallen In Love" with an all-star group, including Roger Daltrey, David Gilmour, Peter Hook, Elton John, Robert Plant and several contemporary bands, as a tribute to John Peel
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.