Steve Diggle

Diggle was born in Manchester, and grew up in Bradford and Rusholme, where he was a mod. After attending Oldham College, he got a job, but was dismissed for organising a strike.

He attended the Sex Pistols gig at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall, in June 1976. Their manager Malcolm McLaren introduced him to guitarist Pete Shelley and vocalist Howard Devoto, who were looking for a bassist for their band, the Buzzcocks. John Maher joined as drummer and six weeks later the Buzzcocks played their first concert. Steve played bass at several concerts and on the Spiral Scratch EP. Howard Devoto left the Buzzcocks shortly after the EP was released, which prompted the band to reshuffle – Pete Shelley becoming lead vocalist as well as guitarist and Diggle switching from bass to guitar.