Billy Idol on John Lydon’s Reaction
Billy Idol shared his thoughts on John Lydon’s response to Sex Pistols, as Frank Carter steps in as the band’s new frontman.
The singer, known for his collaboration with Steve Jones and Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols, told Consequence: “I believe this is a fantasy that John, Paul, and Glen (Matlock) want to explore.”
“Johnny doesn’t wish to engage in this; he aims to focus on his group, Public Image Ltd. (PIL), so I completely understand. What’s the issue if they find someone they truly believe can deliver these songs?”
Idol’s Passion for His Own Music
Idol continued: “I think it makes more sense for them, as I am genuinely Billy Idol. It’s preferable for me to focus on my own music. We have this album coming out with The Killers, and I’m not just going to perform with them.”
“I’m truly excited about my current projects, and I’m happy for them that they’ve found someone they believe can deliver these tracks the way they envision.”
Speaking on Lydon’s views regarding Carter being part of the Sex Pistols, Idol remarked: “Of course, John will be frustrated. He has been for some time. However, he is indeed focusing on Public Image Ltd., which is genuinely what he wants. I think we all find ourselves in a suitable place.”
“John has always been quite self-assured and probably right about that. He never holds back on his opinions. So, it doesn’t bother me. I have great respect for him, but I’m clear about my musical direction and satisfied with what I’m doing.”
Idol’s remarks came after Lydon recently stated that he would “never” rejoin the Sex Pistols, labeling the reformed group as “woke” and criticizing their “shameless” actions.
“They’ve ruined the content or have done everything they could to turn it into childish nonsense, which is unacceptable,” Lydon explained.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to support this. As far as I know, I am the Pistols; they are not.”
Earlier this year, Lydon mentioned in an interview with NME that his estranged bandmates had been distant following the passing of his wife. “They are dead to me,” he said. “They are poison.”
The singer further expressed his feelings regarding Jones, Glen Matlock, and Paul Cook, along with their decision to move forward with Carter as a frontman.
“This almost seems maliciously intended,” he said to NME. “This is karaoke; that’s all that’s left. Bloody hell, how can you have three puppets in this band and not write any new songs? That’s what I want to hear.”
Regarding the frontman situation, Lydon remarked: “Poor bastard! Does he even know what he’s getting into?”
Simultaneously, guitarist Jones mentioned that “you shouldn’t even ask” Lydon about rejoining the band. He stated that he and his bandmates hadn’t communicated with Lydon in 17 years. Their relationship further deteriorated after Lydon lost a court case concerning the use of Sex Pistols music in Danny Boyle’s 2022 miniseries, Gun.
The Sex Pistols reunited last year with Frank Carter taking over vocals, performing a series of small concerts, and an upcoming autumn tour in the UK.
Last month, they made waves at the historic Royal Albert Hall in London, contributing to the Teenage Cancer Trust concerts before a tight gig at a club in the capital, where Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller were spotted among the audience.
This summer, they will take the stage at the 2025 Festival Festival, preceding their North American Tour in the fall.
In other news, Billy Idol is gearing up to release his first album in decades, titled Dream Into It, followed by a major concert at the Ovo Wembley Arena in London this June.
Additionally, Idol is among the contenders for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/billy-idol-on-lydons-reaction-to-sex-pistols-with-frank-carter-of-course-johns-gonna-be-pissed-hes-been-like-this-for-a-while-3853815?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=billy-idol-on-lydons-reaction-to-sex-pistols-with-frank-carter-of-course-johns-gonna-be-pissed-hes-been-like-this-for-a-while
