It was the surprise signing of the Sex Pistols that put Virgin on the road to megalomania. The Pistols brought it so much $$$ + publicity that in the late 70s and very early-80s Virgin was the musical version of post-"Reservoir Dogs" Miramax: it become a force in the industry by signing Magazine, Simple Minds and tons of other (then) New-Wave bands. But then came the 80s as we know and fear them, and Virgin turned into just another giant purveyor of pop.