History Music / JohnLydon

John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956 in London, England), better known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer of punk rock band the Music/SexPistols from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s; and the lead singer of the post-punk band Music/PublicImageLtd, which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again since 2009. Together with Music/SidVicious, he is the most famous punk musician in the world.

Lydon came from a poor working class background in North London. At age seven he was struck with spinal meningitis and spent many months in coma in the hospital. As a result he had lost most of his memory and had to learn to talk again. School became very difficult for him and at age 15 he was expelled. Meningitis also gave him his trademark ThousandYardStare. His [[BritishTeeth bad teeth]] gave him the nickname "Johnny Rotten", which he would adopt when he became a member of Music/SexPistols in 1976.

As legend would tell it he was made lead singer of a new rock group by manager Malcolm [=McLaren=] after he saw Lydon walking around in a Music/PinkFloyd T-shirt with the words "I Hate" written above them. (Ironically, Lydon didn't actually hate Pink Floyd; he was just wearing the shirt to be a {{troll}}). Lydon couldn't sing at all, but he had the right [[DeadpanSnarker sarcastic attitude]] to life and a lot of anger and frustration about the CrapsackWorld he was brought into. Under his new name "Johnny Rotten" Lydon became PunkRock's first hero. His BrutalHonesty about the class system, UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily and the state of {{Rock}} and {{Pop}} were embraced by countless teenagers and vilified by just about everybody else. By 1977 the Music/SexPistols were the most talked about and polarizing rock band of the year, despised and feared by many people. Their album ''Music/NeverMindTheBollocksHeresTheSexPistols'' (1977) was a bestseller and "God Save The Queen", "Anarchy In The U.K.", "Pretty Vacant" huge hits.

Still, Lydon felt that he and his fellow members were being exploited by [=McLaren=] and that PunkRock was also being commercialized. In January 1978 he ended the Pistols' tour in the USA with his legendary quote: "Ever got the feeling you're being cheated?" and left the band. While [=McLaren=] tried [[FranchiseZombie to keep the Pistols going for another year]], with AddledAddict Music/SidVicious as the new lead singer Lydon left his Rotten persona and started a new band: Music/PublicImageLtd.

Public Image Ltd was a collaboration between Music/JahWobble and Keith Levene and more true to Lydon's actual interests in AvantGardeMusic. They abandoned PunkRock's musical style, but kept the anarchistic and anti-commercial attitude. For what remained of the 1970s and most of the 1980s Public Image Ltd would be Lydon's most famous endeavour. Still he never left the shadow of the Sex Pistols, being frequently asked for interviews by reporters in search of some audacious quotes. He reformed the Sex Pistols in 1996 for a reunion tour and admitted it was [[MoneyDearBoy just for the money]]. Lydon is still frequently seen on TV, either as a presenter, an interviewee or a political and musical commentator. In 1984 he also starred in the CultClassic "Copkiller" (1984), where he played alongside Creator/HarveyKeitel. And in the late 2010s, he had a recurring voice role in the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' series ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheTeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' (seriously).

In his homeland he remains as polarizing as he ever was, though the British have grown accustomed to his snarky, uncompromising, yet intelligent remarks about a variety of topics. Some hardcore punks see him as a SellOut, especially after appearing in so many TV shows and doing a commercial for butter, but he is considered somewhat of a MagnificentBastard. The best proof of his national treasure status is the fact that in 2002 he was nominated for the title of ''[[Series/OneHundredGreatestBritons 100 Greatest Britons]]'' and was voted to the 87th place.

'''Discography'''

'''Music/SexPistols'''

'''Music/PublicImageLtd'''

'''Solo Album'''

* EveryoneHasStandards: While Lyndon is known to criticize the UK government, he flat out called everyone who was happy about {{UsefulNotes/Margaret Thatcher}}'s death (keep in mind some people were ''dancing on the streets'' and the song 'Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead!' went up the charts when Thatcher died) insensitive and obnoxious. And just for the record, he himself criticized the Thatcher government.

* ProtestSong: His songs are meant to shake people awake out of their conformity and frequently target all echelons of our society.

* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He HATED the movie ''Film/SidAndNancy'' and is quick to point out all its inaccuracies and its romanticism of a tragedy. However, he did like Creator/GaryOldman's performance as Sid and praised him as an actor.

* TheGadfly: Lydon has always been a non-conformist. Before becoming a member of the Sex Pistols he was a geeky child who like AvantGardeMusic bands like Music/{{Can}}, Music/VanDerGraafGenerator and Music/CaptainBeefheart. He wore a Music/PinkFloyd shirt with the words "I Hate" written above the band name, yet he didn't actually hate them. His eclectic musical tastes which threatened to make him persona non grata in the Punk scene became more pronounced when he formed [=PiL=].

* {{Anarchy}}: Johnny said:

Public Image Ltd was a collaboration between Music/JahWobble and Keith Levene and more true to Lydon's actual interests in AvantGardeMusic. They abandoned PunkRock's musical style, but kept the anarchistic and anti-commercial attitude. For what remained of the 1970s and most of the 1980s Public Image Ltd would be Lydon's most famous endeavour. Still he never left the shadow of the Sex Pistols, being frequently asked for interviews by reporters in search of some audacious quotes. He reformed the Sex Pistols in 1996 for a reunion tour and admitted it was [[MoneyDearBoy just for the money]]. Lydon is still frequently seen on TV, either as a presenter, an interviewee or a political and musical commentator. In 1984 he also starred in the CultClassic "Copkiller" (1984), where he played alongside Creator/HarveyKeitel.

* CoolOldGuy: He is in his sixties, he's still alive and he's still John Lydon.

* AwesomeMcCoolName: Lydon would have never become so infamous if he hadn't called himself "Rotten".

* MeanBrit: He can be extremely assertive and confrontational at times, even when the host tries to be nice to him. He has also venomously criticized politicians and musicians he personally vilifies.

* TrueCompanions: He and Sid Vicious were close friends and he downright hates Vicious' mother for being a narcissistic parent who got him addicted heroin, exemplified by Sid's mother giving him heroin for his 16th or 17th birthday.

* CelebrityIsOverrated: Lydon has never felt any reason to show awe or respect to celebrities, just because he is ''supposed to''. Many reporters try to poke him into making outrageous comments about people, but he doesn't always give them what they want. For instance, despite having criticized the UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher government for years Lydon didn't feel the need to celebrate her death in 2013 and even called out other people for doing this. He respects certain musicians for their actual talent or authenticity, rather than hating them just because they are mainstream pop stars.

* EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: Okay, badman is ''really'' stretching it, but despite his badboy image and abrasive demeanour, he clearly loved his parents and especially his mum. Everytime he mentioned them during interviews, the badboy persona evaporated and he became very emotional.
* EveryoneHasStandards: While Lyndon is known to criticize the UK government, he flat out called everyone who was happy about {{UsefulNotes/Margaret Thatcher}}'s death (keep in mind people were ''dancing on the streets'' and the song 'Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead!' went up the charts when Thatcher died). Keep in mind, he himself criticized the Thatcher government.

* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He HATED the movie ''Sid and Nancy'' and is quick to point out all its inaccuracies and its romanticism of a tragedy. However, he did like Creator/GaryOldman's performance as Sid and praised him as an actor.

* TrrrillingRrrs: Famously did this during "Anarchy in the U.K." and "God Save the Queen."

** Notably, a case where this appeared HarsherInHindsight was a televised interview where Lydon mentioned he'd like to "kill Creator/JimmySavile" because of "seediness that we all know about, but are not allowed to talk about. I know some rumours." He then added that what he said wouldn't be "allowed out", and sure enough, it was cut from the broadcast. The uncut version didn't emerge till 2013, after [[CompleteMonster Savile's]] death, when it was public knowledge that the rumours Lydon had heard were probably {{Understatement}}s.

** Notably, a case where this appeared Harsher In Hindsight was an interview where Lydon mentioned he'd like to "kill Creator/JimmySavile" because of "seediness that we all know about, but are not allowed to talk about. I know some rumours." He then added that what he said wouldn't be "allowed out", and sure enough, it was cut. The uncut version didn't emerge till 2013, after Savile's death, when it was public knowledge that the rumours Lydon had heard were probably {{Understatement}}s.

John Joseph Lydon (born January 31, 1956), better known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer of punk rock band the Music/SexPistols from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s; and the lead singer of the post-punk band Music/PublicImageLtd, which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again since 2009. Together with Music/SidVicious, he is the most famous punk musician in the world.

* EveryoneHasStandards: While Lyndon is known to criticize the UK government, he flat out called everyone who was happy about {{UsefulNotes/Margaret Thatcher}}'s death (keep in mind people were ''dancing on the streets'' and the song 'Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead!' went up the charts when Thatcher died). Keep in mind, he himself criticized the Thatcher government.

* LifeSavingMisfortune: He was scheduled to fly on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103 Pan Am Flight 103]], but he and his wife missed the flight after she failed to pack in time.

** Notably, a case where this appeared HarsherInHindsight was an interview where Lydon mentioned he'd like to "kill Creator/JimmySavile" because of "seediness that we all know about, but are not allowed to talk about. I know some rumours." He then added that what he said wouldn't be "allowed out", and sure enough, it was cut. The uncut version didn't emerge till 2013, after Savile's death, when it was public knowledge that the rumours Lydon had heard were probably [[CompleteMonster understatements]].

* JerkAss: Just watch any interview with Johnny Rotten/Lydon. His passive-aggressive interview style often makes it unclear whether he is angry at the interviewer or not. Usually he makes good points, but is often frustrated with the inane or poorly informed questions asked of him.

* KnightInSourArmor: He's stated that does have hope for humanity. Not a lot, but still. More specifically, a lot of the vitriol he has for politicians and royalty is from disgust at their apathy towards the working class.

-->-- "'''Anarchy in the U.K'''"

->''I am an anti-Christ''

->''Cause I want to be anarchy''
-->-- '''Anarchy In The U.K'''

* KnightInSourArmor: A lot of his vitriol towards politicians and royalty is from disgust at their apathy towards the working class.

* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He HATED the movie ''Sid and Nancy'' and is quick to point out all its inaccuracies. However, he did like Creator/GaryOldman's performance as Sid and praised him as an actor.

* CoolOldGuy: He is near 60 and still as cool as he ever was.