John Lydon is saddened by the Sex Pistols performing “karaoke” versions of their classic songs.
The 69-year-old artist – who is also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten – was involved in a bitter legal dispute with former bandmates Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock over the use of the punk group’s music in the 2022 Disney+ TV drama ‘Pistol’ and is unimpressed with the ‘God Save the Queen’ band’s current iteration that features Frank Carter on lead vocals.
John told Blitzed magazine: “It’s a shame to see my early songs in the Pistols now being karaoked, let’s put it that way, by a couple or three of the remaining original members.
“I wish they could write some songs of their own, and I’d have something to judge them by.
“They’ve put a lot of the imitation Pistol bands out of work. You know, the tributes, that’s the list they’re top of now. There’s a special place for them doing it the way they’re doing, which will be Bingo halls. ‘Two fat ladies, Click, click, click, and now it’s some of the Sex Pistols doing a rendition of whatever’, then it’s back to the bingo for 10 minutes.”
The outspoken musician added: “I really didn’t want to be able to view them like that. There is still a huge fondness for them, and I can’t ever make that go away. You don’t want to.
“I felt very proud at the time of what we were doing. If you don’t like me and you don’t want me that’s fine, but leave my words out shall we?”
Lydon embarked on his spoken word ‘I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right’ UK tour last year and explained that he was left irritated by those in the audience who tried to replicate his distinctive appearance.
The Public Image Ltd (PiL) frontman said: “I get frustrated by the ones that try to look like me! They’re saying, ‘Look, look, I’m just like you!’ and they don’t get it, they couldn’t be further from me by going that route.
“It’s not a complement because it shows a lack of individuality, and they should know that really.
“The art of the individual is to be yourself and I will really enjoy and respect you for that.”