Malcolm McLaren

Public relations expert Mark Borkowski chooses the manager of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren.

Matthew Parris presents the life of the great rock and roll swindler, Malcolm McLaren, who died in April 2010, aged 64.

'I've been called many things,' McLaren wrote as advance publicity for his one man show, 'a charlatan, a con man, or the culprit responsible for turning popular culture into nothing more than a cheap marketing gimmick. This is my chance to prove these accusations are true.'

The man behind the Sex Pistols and Duck Rock is nominated by public relations expert Mark Borkowski, author of The Fame Formula, and a man who knew him well. What intrigues Borkowski is not just the success, but the myths that have evolved around this highly manipulative man. Matthew Parris is more sceptical, as is Chris Salewicz. As a journalist for NME between 1974-1981, Salewicz watched McLaren rewrite the rules of management.

He also introduced the Sex Pistols to the man from EMI who then signed them up.

An intriguing programme about fame, the media, and why the truth should not be confused with an easily believable myth.

Producer: Miles Warde

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2010.