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Explanation
This book is John Lydon’s autobiography. He talks a bit about his childhood and adulthood but mostly about being in the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. The main people in his stories include himself and the members of his bands. It takes place mostly in London, England which is where John grew up. I chose this book because John Lydon was part of one of my favorite bands, the Sex Pistols. He is also a very interesting person to say the least, so it’s very entertaining to read about his life. -
Spinal Meningitis
At the age of seven, John got spinal meningitis. Symptoms like dizziness, bad headaches, fainting fits, and hallucinations occurred. He stayed in a hospital for about a year. Six of those months were spent in a coma. The aftermath included problems with his posture (because of lumbar punctures) and eyesight. One of the biggest obstacles was he lost his memory. John had to learned how to read and write again. Thinking: Severe memory loss seems really scary, honestly. -
Bernie Spots Johnny
John used to work at a clothing store. Many punk people and bands shopped there because it had different hand made clothing. Malcolm McLaren owned the shop. One of Malcolm’s friends, Bernie, came in to talk about a band who needed a lead singer. He actually saw John and thought that he looked like a singer. Bernie also thought John was the quiet but angry type. He became the lead singer of the Sex Pistols. Thinking: What Bernie did was talent spotting without knowing if he was a good singer. -
Sex Pistols First Gig
The first Sex Pistols gig was held at Central St. Martin’s art college. That is where Glen Matlock, the bassist, went to school. The college was actually just across the street from where they would rehearse. Since they only took the equipment close by, it didn’t seem like a big deal. John still described it as “nerve wracking and terrifying”. The band had no idea how it was going to go or how the audience would react. Thinking: I can’t imagine the feelings you would get during your first show. -
S.P.O.T.S.
In 1976 through some of ‘77, the Sex Pistols had to secretly go on tour. Some of the undercover names they came up with included Tax Exiles, Acne Rabble, and SPOTS. They used SPOTS the most. It was an acronym for “Sex Pistols On Tour Secretly”. It got them gigs considering the place did not know it was the Pistols. John said going incognito was “ridiculous and challengingly refreshing” all at the same time. Thinking: You must be really problematic to be banned from playing at some places. -
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
Never Mind the Bollocks was Pistols’ first and only studio album. John says it made him realize what the other members could do. The recording took a very long time, but John loved it. The album also brought the band attention. A lot of negative attention considering the singles were quite problematic. Thinking: I would’ve loved to been born at this time. Would I like the music at the time or do I only like it because it’s an iconic punk album from a long time ago? -
Public Image Ltd
Public Image Ltd started when John talked to one of his closest friends, John Wardle or Jah Wobble, about forming a band. He also approached Jim Walker and Keith Levene. Keith was one of the founding members of The Clash. They started rehearsing in May of 1978, not long after the Sex Pistols broke up. An album was released in December of the same year. Thinking: John knew Jah Wobble since high school and I thought it was cool how they are now making music together. -
PiL's First Album
Public Image Ltd released their first single, “Public Image”, in October 1978. Soon after that the album actually got held back by their label. John didn’t exactly know why. He knew that the record label just wanted more Sex Pistols. John had already moved on with a new band. After being held back to around two months, it finally came out in December. Thinking: I think it’s just weird to hold an album from releasing. The Pistols were done, so the label shouldn’t have expected anything. -
Sid Vicious' Passing
John and Sid Vicious have been friends since they were in school. When Sid died of an heroin overdose, John felt serious pain. He found himself writing songs about Sid for a long time after that. John even partly blamed himself for his death. Everywhere they would go he felt like he was protective and had to protect Sid. John knew he would cause a problem. Thinking: I wonder what John was like when he first found out. Honestly, he doesn’t seem like an emotional person. -
Debut PiL Gig
PiL's first gig was soon after their first album came out. It was on Christmas in Brussels despite the laws about working on that day. The gig was crazy. John explained how a small riot happened after the bassist, John Wobble, kicked a security guard in the head. The other bouncers went crazy on people after that. He said that it was “wrecking the gig”. Thinking: What an interesting first show. -
American Tour With PiL
Starting in April of 1980, PiL had their first American tour. Most of the gigs were in theaters in big cities. They also had a memorable performance on Dick Clark’s show, American Bandstand. John did not like the way they had edited versions of their songs. To say the least, the band had behavior to what the show normally wasn't used to. Thinking: I’m not surprised the band acted the way they did. It’s just how they are. -
Reflection
I love biographies. I love reading about other people's lives. Overall, this was a great book. It's about and written by one of my favorite people, so I was very intrigued. I would recommend this to someone who is very interested in old music or the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd. John also had another book come out long before this one and I would love to get to reading it as well. Anger is an Energy by John Lydon is a very entertaining and descriptive book.
