History Music / JohnLydon

->''"If the Royal Family was going to assassinate someone, they would have gotten rid of me a long time ago."''

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. 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.

* ATouchOfClassEthnicityAndReligion: Subverted. He is a vocal critic of (British) class system, government, and religion in general. Refuses to behave according to etiquette enforced by these institutions.

Lydon came from a poor working class background in North London. At age seven he was struck with spinal meningitis and spent many moths 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.

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

* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He HATED the movie ''Film/SidAndNancy 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.

* HiddenDepths: Johnny Rotten showed his softer side when describing the sad saga of Sid and Nancy and Sid Vicious's downward spiral and death.

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

'''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.

* TheOneThingIDontHateAboutYou: He HATED the movie Sid and Nancy and as quick to point out all it's inaccuracies. However, he did like Gary Oldman's performance as Sid and praised him as an actor.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: 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.

* ''Metal Box''' (1979)

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. 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. 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.

* ''The Flowers Of Romance'' (1981)

* ''This Is Pil'' (2012)

* TheAntichrist: "Anarchy In The U.K."
--> ''I'm an anti-christ''

* 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 has respects certain musicians for their actual talent or authenticity, rather than hating them just because they are mainstream pop stars.

--> ''[[IncomingHam Rrrrrrrrright... NOW, mwahahahahahahaaaaa!]] on "Anarchy In The U.K."''
* EvenEvilHasStandards: 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.
* 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.

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

* EvenEvilHasStandards: While Lyndon is known to criticize the UK government, he flat out called everyone who was happy about {{UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher}}'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.

* RefugeInAudacity: Lydon has made a career out of doing and saying exactly what he wants and not giving a toss what people think of him.
* StageName: Johnny Rotten.
* TakeThat: Rotten is known for his verbal insults and attacks at people, celebrities and institutions.
* ThousandYardStare: His famous stare is a result of meningitis. He has to do this to focus on what he is looking at.
* ATouchOfClassEthnicityAndReligion: Subverted. He is a vocal critic of (British) class system, government and religion in general and refuses to behave according to etiquette enforced by these institutions.
* TrrrillingRrrs: Famously did this during "Anarchy In The UK" and "God Save The Queen".

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. 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, the BritishRoyalFamily and the state of {{Rock}} and {{Pop}} were embraced by countless teenagers. 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.

'''John Lydon''' (1956), better known as "Johnny Rotten", was part of two hugely influential bands, one being The Music/SexPistols, the other Music/PublicImageLtd. Together with Music/SidVicious he is the most famous punk musician in the world.

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/OneHundredBritons 100 Greatest Britons]]'' and was voted to the 87th place.

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.

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 [[OnlyInItForTheMoney 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.

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. 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, the BritishRoyalFamily and the state of {{Rock}} and {{Pop}} were embraced by countless teenagers. 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.

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 ''100 Greatest Britons'' and was voted to the 87th place.

* 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 has also expressed liking certain musicians whom he respects for their actual talent, rather than hating them because just they are mainstream pop stars.

* CountryMatters[=/=]LastSecondWordSwap: Rotten puts very deliberate and gleeful emphasis on the last syllable of "Pretty Vacant."

Lydon came from a poor working class background in North London. At age seven he was struck with spinal meningitis and spent many moths in coma in the hospital. As a result he had lost most of his memory and had to learn to talk again. As a result school was very difficult for him and at age 15 he was expelled. Meningitis also gave him his trademark ThousandYardStare. His 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 Lydon was made lead singer of a new rock group by manager Malcolm [=McLaren=] after he saw him walking around in a Music/PinkFloyd T-shirt with the words "I Hate" written above them. He couldn't sing at all, but he had the right DeadPanSnarker cynical 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, the BritishRoyalFamily and the state of {{Rock}} and {{Pop}} by that point were embraced by countless teenagers who also longed for a social revolution. By 1977 the Music/SexPistols became the most talked about and polarizing rock band of the year, despised and feared by many people. Their album ''Music/NeverMindTheBollocksHeresTheSexPistols'' (1977) became 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 evolving in the same kind of commercialized and uniform music like all other pop music. 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 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.

In his homeland he remains as polarizing as he ever was, though the British have grown accustomed to his snarky, yet intelligent remarks about a variety of topics. The best proof that he is considered a national treasure is the fact that he was nominated for the title of ''100 Greatest Britons'' in 2002 and ended on #87.

* MagnificentBastard: He can be very snarky and waspish towards politicians, rock and pop stars, business people or anybody he doesn't like. At the same time he is hilariously funny.