When I was in high school, I used to listen to punk rock 24/7.  I was obsessed with The Sex Pistols in particular and I will argue forever that they were the pioneers of punk rock.  A lot of people claim that The Ramones were the original punk rock band because they began in 1974 and the Pistols began in 1975.  However, even though I am a pretty bug Ramones fan, I never have really considered their style to be punk rock.  They are much more similar to classic rock bands such as The Who, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and even The Beach Boys at times.  The Sex Pistols always had that raw, unique punk rock sound.  Just something to think about.