The Sex Pistols set the whole Punk thing rolling in Britain. It happened overnight. One minute there was a boring decaying Rock Scene and the next it was alive and kicking.
Malcolm Mclaren set the ball in motion putting the band together and stealing everything from the New York Punk Scene – from Richard Hell’s style, the New York Dolls music and attitude to the Ramones ethos. It had to be loud and aggressive. The marketing was genius – drive a wedge between the old dying youth culture and create a new one.
Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) was no puppet though. He brought some great song-writing skills.
Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated? Good night!
He plays the part doesn’t he? I always get the feeling with John that there is a scared character behind that façade. He doesn’t want anyone to see that. But there is a lot of intelligence and talent lurking in there. It comes out in the music.
I’m not here for your amusement. You’re here for mine.
That was the Punk attitude. Not totally genuine though.
Sometimes the most positive thing you can be in a boring society is absolutely negative.
It certainly shook things up and gave it a reality check.
It’s a repressive society where you can’t be horrible, I’m not horrible, they made me horrible, I’m just honest.
He kicked out at everything. Most of it needed a kicking though.
There’s nothing glorious in dying. Anyone can do it.
Too true!! Death is never good. They should tell that to all the indoctrinated suicide bombers.
I think national pride leads to nothing but wars and hates.
I agree – it’s time we left nations behind in our tribal past and became more global.
Listen, you know this: If there’s not a rebellious youth culture, there’s no culture at all. It’s absolutely essential. It is the future. This is what we’re supposed to do as a species, is advance ideas.
I’m still rebelling!
Britain’s an island; it’s always had a constant ebb and flow of immigration – it makes it a better place.
It is getting the balance right. Too much and the strains show. They become hard to integrate. Too few and the energy and ideas stop flowing. Britain is vital because of its great hybrid culture.
People don’t like other poor people, and rather than blame the people that make you all poor, you blame each other.
That’s how the Tories and establishment do it. They turn the poor against the poor. Meanwhile the rich and powerful cream off all they can.
My words are my bullets.
And Johnny Rotten has written some great words!
If you would like to purchase my books on Rock Music here’s a few:
In the UK:
In the USA –
Lydon’s bio ANGER IS AN ENERGY is a great book full of brilliant quotes…
I’ve just bought it a few weeks back. I’ll be reading it soon! I’ve heard it is brilliant. Cheers JL.
People don’t like other poor people, and rather than blame the people that make you all poor, you blame each other.
That’s how the Tories and establishment do it. They turn the poor against the poor. Meanwhile the rich and powerful cream off all they can.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a Labourite employing Euro-nationals and paying minimum wage on zero hour contracts, is there?
Lydon would laugh at you.
He’s laugh at you too though wouldn’t he?
I am sure that there are Labourites doing just that but I bet there’s a hell of a lot more Tories at it. That is precise why the Tory Party was invented – to represent the interests of the exploiters.
No, he’d agree with me.
He’d piss himself.
You really need to read the book…
I’m looking forward to reading the book. It’s next on my list. I have great affection for Johnny.
Lydon grew up in the slums of London, of Irish heritage and had plenty to be angry about. A great songwriter and a really sharp guy!
Yes – and a complex guy behind a façade.