Para hablar de Johnny Rotten comenzaré saliendo momentáneamente de todo lo relacionado a la música electrónica que tanto me encanta. Debido a que debo entrar primero por donde John Lydon, su verdadero nombre, incia su carrera, el Punk Rock.

The ’70s were synonymous with musical genres like Tangerine Dream’s Krautrock and Jean-Michel Jarre’s New Age. There was also Kraftwerk‘s experimental Electro, and Disco that echoed through legendary New York clubs like Studio 54. These styles had varying degrees of acceptance during their peak years.

However, to discuss Johnny Rotten, one must delve into the gritty and intense subculture of Punk Rock. Among the many bands that colored the British punk scene, one stood out in particular. It was with the iconic Sex Pistols that Johnny Rotten began to leave his indelible mark on music.

Solo diré que es posible que hayas oído de los Sex Pistols, aunque la verdad -y sin acritud- lo dudo.”

Syd & Johnny

In this post, I’m not trying to focus solely on Punk as a musical genre or cultural influence. I’ll just say you may have heard of the Sex Pistols, although honestly, I doubt it. I don’t mean this in terms of musical ignorance, but perhaps if you heard them, you didn’t like them, or maybe you did?

I won’t even refer to Sid Vicious, who became perhaps their most famous and controversial member. Sid Vicious was merely a passing figure who has been excessively “glorified” for his unique life. Tragically, his story ended somewhat like the legend suggests—just a fleeting moment in the band’s history.

Leading them was the infamous Johnny Rotten, a nickname he earned due to his poor dental health.”

Sex Pistols

Actually, the loose-end in the group was John Lydon, evident in the fury he displayed at concerts. Punk was rebellious, and Johnny Rotten was determined to be heard; the louder the message, the better. During his early years, he was sharp and biting enough to capture a segment of British youth.

The Sex Pistols built the foundations of British Punk with screams and riffs, even though that wasn’t their intention. Leading them was the infamous Johnny Rotten, a nickname he earned due to his poor dental health. Because of that unique feature, Pistols’ guitarist Steve Jones would jokingly tell him, “You’re rotten, Johnny!”

In 1978, he created his own band, Public Image Limited, also known as Public Image Ltd or simply PIL.”

Public Image Ltd.

When the Sex Pistols disbanded Johnny Rotten, using his real name, started to get involved in the Dance scene. In 1978, he created his own band, Public Image Limited, also known as Public Image Ltd or simply PIL. Initially, it began as a Post-Punk group but eventually became closely tied to the New Wave of the ’80s.

Through the evolution of their music, they gradually transformed into a sound that closely resembled a Synthpop band. But Lydon wasn’t the only musician transitioning from Punk to more commercial rhythms with PIL. He founded the band alongside Keith Levene, who was known for being the guitarist of another legendary Punk band, The Clash.

These tracks, lacking fury and screams, paved the way for what I personally consider Johnny’s best song.”

Cooling Off the Rage

They would soon start producing great tracks like “Public Image” and “Death Disco,” but then came their biggest hit. “This Is Not A Love Song,” probably PIL’s most commercial track, began to lean towards electronic music. In the video for this song, you see a more relaxed image of Johnny Rotten, always with his trademark irreverence.

As the ’80s came to a close, songs like “Rise,” “Home,” “Seattle,” and “Angry” showcased PIL’s evolution. These tracks, lacking fury and screams, paved the way for what I personally consider Johnny’s best song. “Disappointed” was a true gem of a song for its time, showcasing John Lydon and PIL’s musical maturity.

He was recruited by the British duo Leftfield to create one of the catchiest tracks of the ’90s, Open Up.”

Burn Hollywood, burn

Johnny Rotten’s post-Sex Pistols presence was significant in the music scene during the ’80s and ’90s. He explored various styles, including Post-Punk, Synthpop, New Wave, Avant-Garde, Indie Rock, and Alternative Rock. By the end of the century, John Lydon fully embraced electronic music.

He was recruited by the British duo Leftfield to create one of the catchiest tracks of the ’90s, “Open Up”. This danceable song blended with Johnny Rotten’s rebellious essence from his Pistols days—what a hit! Without a doubt, it became the most popular electronic track associated with John Lydon, a true classic in the Progressive House genre.

his release included remixes from some big-name producers like Moby, Leftfield, Danny Saber, and The Chemical Brothers.”

Johnny Electronic

Johnny Rotten’s was already exploring Electro back in the ’80s. He teamed up with Afrika Bambaataa to create “World Destruction,” one of the first blends of Rap and Rock. This track came out two years before “Walk This Way” made waves on the charts. Then in 2006, he joined an Italian Electro House project called Psycho Radio, giving new life to the song “Religion”.

His solo album, Psycho’s Path, was a wild mix of genres, ranging from House to Industrial sounds. This release included remixes from some big-name producers like Moby, Leftfield, Danny Saber, and The Chemical Brothers. It’s pretty fascinating how quickly he jumped into the electronic scene, and just as suddenly, he stepped back out. 

They played several live shows, reminiscing about classic tracks until 2008, when they put the band on hiatus again.”

The Return of the Sex Pistols

By the early ’00s, Johnny Rotten disbanded PIL and began to rekindle what he briefly did in 1996. Reuniting with the Sex Pistols seemed impossible due to the abrupt end of their relationship. However, as the 30th anniversary of their first album approached, old tensions began to ease. Never Mind the Bollocks… Here’s The Sex Pistols marked the start of Johnny and his pals’ incredible journey.

They played several live shows, reminiscing about classic tracks until 2008, when they put the band on hiatus again. This separation felt much calmer than their chaotic first split, where Johnny famously lost his cool during a concert. Despite their differences, it was clear that the legacy of the Sex Pistols continued to resonate, even without Johnny’s vocal presence in future performances.

Unlike the Sex Pistols, this time they didn’t reunite the original lineup; instead, they brought in new elements to the band.”

A Second Chance

By 2009, Public Image Ltd was back in action, proving they still had plenty of energy left. They recorded an album in 2012 and another in September 2015. Unlike the Sex Pistols, this time they didn’t reunite the original lineup; instead, they brought in new elements to the band. Essentially, PiL has become John Lydon’s project, featuring various guest musicians who come and go.

Since then, not much new information has surfaced about the band, which isn’t necessarily bad news. It’s likely they’ll continue performing live shows, treating fans to both classic hits and new tracks. If that reality holds for a while, that’s fantastic because seeing PiL live is truly a wonderful experience!

Few artists have made the transition that Lydon did, moving from Punk to Avant-Garde and various electronic subgenres.”

An Influential Artist

Johnny Rotten’s journey through musical genres has influenced many over the years. Bands like The Clash (which later became Big Audio Dynamite), and Siouxsie and the Banshees (known later as The Creatures), were inspired by him. Joy Division (who would eventually transform into New Order), and Morrissey (from The Smiths) are also part of this legacy. Additionally, Kurt Cobain (from Nirvana) and the iconic Mötorhead, who always stayed true to their sound, were influenced by his work.

Few artists have made the transition that Lydon did, moving from Punk to Avant-Garde and various electronic subgenres. In most cases, such musical evolutions are often undervalued and easily forgotten. However, Johnny Rotten has skillfully navigated these turbulent waters while remaining controversial throughout the years. His ability to adapt while maintaining his unique voice is a testament to his lasting impact on music and culture.

Lydon still has a hardcore fan base that follows him live, where PiL showcases their power even today.”

Eternal Johnny

Public Image Ltd’s sound has always been irreverent, just like everything John Lydon has done artistically. While he’s highly regarded among fans, he may have lost some followers when he leaned more towards Dance music. This shift might have been even more pronounced when he and the Sex Pistols sold their entire catalog to Universal Music.

Nonetheless he has also gained new fans by consistently being open to experimenting with different musical styles beyond Punk. Lydon still has a hardcore fan base that follows him live, where PiL showcases their power even today. Whenever he performs with the Sex Pistols or PIL, it reassures fans that Johnny Rotten is far from over.

He considers Gandhi his hero and takes pride in the British Army despite his tumultuous past.”

Misunderstood Genius

Being a punk icon doesn’t mean John Lydon has lived a reckless life; quite the opposite. He has maintained a stable marriage with Nora Forster, a relationship that has lasted nearly 40 years. Despite his punk persona, he found the chaotic lifestyle of Sid Vicious completely unappealing during his youth.

Lydon is known as Johnny Rotten, the eternal critic of the class system, advocating for anarchy while being a natural pacifist. He considers Gandhi his hero and takes pride in the British Army despite his tumultuous past. Johnny Rotten is beloved by an entire generation that sees themselves reflected in his journey.

Meet you at the next entry.