Johnny Rotten and Me...
I love discordancy. It makes people ill at ease, and wakes up a part of their brain that's normally asleep.
John Lydon
Never Mind The Bollocks (1977) signed by Johnny Rotten
Johnny Rotten (born John Lydon) is an important Irish born, London bred punk musician. Spotted by designer Malcolm McLaren in the mid 1970s wearing a Pink Floyd t shirt (on which he scrawled ‘I Hate'“ in black marker), Johnny was enlisted to be the lead singer of The Sex Pistols. His winning audition was a butchered, off-key rendition of Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen."
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (1977) is one of the great rock and roll records of all time, and helped usher in the punk rock era. Johnny Rotten's harsh, grating nasal whine was propelled by Steve Jones' impossibly loud guitars, Sid Vicious' pedestrian bass thumbing, and Paul Cook's ferocious drumming. If there is such a thing as tuneful nihilism, this is it.
Anarchy In The U.K. (12” single 1977) signed by Johnny Rotten
The first single, "Anarchy In The UK", was released in November 1976 and created quite a stir. Featuring loud, blistering guitars, and Johnny's potent lyrics: "Your future dream is just a sharpie's scheme." It was not the first punk rock single, but it was certainly the most influential. Colin Newman of Wire called it , "The clarion call for a new generation."
The second single, "God Save The Queen", was even more incendiary and inflammatory. The opening salvo, "God save the Queen, the fascist regime that made you a moron..." would not engender an invitation to Buckingham Palace or 10 Downing Street. The song was banned by the BBC and all independent radio stations, so, of course, it hit Number 1. Actually, Number 2 to Rod Stewart's "The First Cut Is The Deepest", but conspiracy theorists abound who opine that "God Save The Queen" sold many more copies, but was relegated to Number 2 because of its slanderous and vitriolic content.
Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs (1994)
Inside cover signed by Johnny
I met Johnny Rotten in April 1994 at a book store signing. He was promoting his autobiography, lovingly titled, "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs". He was generous, if incomprehensible, as he signed some albums. Kurt Cobain had just died so I said, It's a shame about Kurt Cobain. Johnny replied, "He should piss off, he's just a f...... wanker..." Then he muttered some other things in a brogue that was so thick it was indecipherable. I was startled. I felt pretty vacant. I iust nodded and smiled beatifically. There was an element of danger. I thought at any moment, Johnny might start spitting or snotting. He is Rotten, his reputation is well earned. I wish I could remember what else we talked about, but I just wanted to get away from Johnny with my albums intact.
The Sex Pistols were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in March 2006, but in characteristic Pistols fashion, they didn't show up for the ceremony. In a rambling press release, they decried the museum as a "piss stain." At least, the ethos of the Sex Pistols remains consistent...
First Issue (1978) signed by Johnny
I’m not here for your amusement. You’re here for mine.
John Lydon
Public Image (12” single 1978) signed by Johnny
Choice Sex Pistols Cuts (per BKs request)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02D2T3wGCYg
“God Save The Queen” 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBojbjoMttI
“Anarchy In The U.K” 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ah1JM9mf60
“Holidays In The Sun” 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHiGR0iuTUo
“No Feelings” 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBVDSz5Qd6g
Live At Winterland, San Francisco January 14, 1978