London Olympics: Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, David Bowie & More Turned Down Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics might have seemed like a prestigious gig, but a slew of U.K. legends, among them David Bowie, Kate Bush, the Sex Pistols and the Rolling Stones, turned down the chance to perform, the Guardian reports.

While the Who stepped up and held it down for the classic-rock set, they apparently passed on two invitations before deciding to join the Kaiser Chiefs, Liam Gallagher, Queen, George Michael, Elbow and the Spice Girls on the three-hour show.

Another band to say "thanks but no thanks" were the Libertines, and in a Twitter post Sunday (Aug. 12) night, singer Carl Barat offered a brief explanation for the no-show.

"Libertines got asked, couldn't do it ;(," he tweeted, adding, "You'll get over it, trust me x."

That decision might have cost the Libs some serious cash, as a rep for the music retailer HMV told the Guardian that sales of Spice Girls and Elbow music are expected to jump "seven-fold" this week.

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