Guitarist Barry Jones was a co-promoter at the famous Roxy Club (and later at Max's KC); Steve Dior was a young punk scenester. First, The Idols formed in New York in 1978 with Steve Dior, Barry Jones and Jerry Nolan after he quit the Heartbreakers, releasing a single on US label Ork Records. The Idols (with Arthur Kane) then became Sid Vicious's band for his final Max's Kansas City shows. Jerry had UK work permit issues, so The Idols became the London Cowboys, who attracted more names from the punk scene; including Glen Matlock, Tony James and Terry Chimes. Gigging around the UK and Europe they signed with the French Underdog label in 1982, issuing Animal Pleasure in '82 and Tall in the Saddle in '84. Subsequently Barry joined Johnny Thunders band alongside Glen Matlock & Jerry Nolan (& Arthur Kane in the USA). Steve Dior formed Filthy Lucre with Phil Lewis. In 2025, Dior & Jones announced that a new London Cowboys album was being recorded in London.