John Lydon: My guilt on bringing Sid Vicious into Sex Pistols | BBC Sounds

The former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon says he feels "guilty" for introducing the late Sid Vicious to the band.
Lydon said that Vicious, who died aged 21 in 1979 from a heroin overdose, was unable to deal with the pressure of fame and drugs that came with being in a band.
Lydon and the other band members had already been together a year by this point, and were "better prepared".
"He [Vicious] was ill-equipped mentally to deal with the pressures," Lydon said. "He just totally got sucked up into it. I tell you, fame is a monster."
This clip is originally from Afternoon Edition on Thursday 9 October 2014
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John Lydon: My guilt on bringing Sid Vicious into Sex Pistols | BBC Sounds

[@missdee4927]

Sid's mother being a heroin addict just shows the poor guy didn't have much of a chance.That's horrible.

[@philchalker2648]

MissMulattofromFL Oh fk off..he got to b in a band..that coulda gone on...till enter Spongeon'-&;thats from freinds in NY..chelsea hotel.-et al..@'time..this is just jons opinion.

[@maxelldenomie667]

MsMulattofromFL she's the one who od'd him

[@crist3809]

ROCCO Pazzo it doesnt always be the case but it could be one of many reasons why sid was so messed up.

[@diggerpete9334]

He had every chance. My brother was a heroin addict and I was close to him. I have never taken heroin. It is down to personal choice. You choose to take drugs it is not drugs choose to take you because someone close to you is using drugs.

[@DPlough]

No but if a child grows up with a heroine addict for a parent then they grow up thinking that is normal and without someone modeling good behaviour. They also grow up in an unstable, unsupportive environment which means they aren't likely to get a good education and they aren't likely to do well in life. Some people manage to get help and get out but the vast majority of people follow in their parents footsteps.

[@RobertPaulGass]

Sid's mother actually confessed many years later to purposely trying to overdose him. She claimed she was afraid of him going back to prison.

[@shellybellysf3911]

Yes, she also was the one who introduced him to smack before The Pistols. Sid's mom was a registered heroin addict, he had a dreadful childhood.

[@royalnass1029]

she should have got some jail time then

[@RobertPaulGass]

royal nass Sid probably would have gotten more prison time if she hadn't. He had already been raped.

[@royalnass1029]

he had been raped. oh that sounds like something gay

[@RobertPaulGass]

royal nass He was already homophobic before it happened. Things were different back then. He wasn't a legend yet the way he is today and even if he was, celebrities didn't get the same type of kid gloves treatment that they all get nowadays. Being famous in prison in the seventies was far worse.

[@adolo7565]

“he was my mate and i miss him” rip sid

[@Smells-like-foxes-piss]

Weird character Lydon, he wouldn't be out of place giving lectures as a university professor, and also he wouldn't look out of place begging for change in a shop doorway.

[@Richard_L_Y]

A1 description! Some beggars have a better story to tell than any professors ever could!

[@Ojb_1959]

That’ll never happen because he supports President Trump. The libtards would cancel him.

[@michaeljohnston3741]

he's so honest and this is why I love Johnny ad he doesn't hide his part in anything. and such an intelligent articulated man

[@SlipDownRokc]

Thanks dude

[@babalon7778]

He's intelligent and he can move his limbs!

[@hellobonappetit1657]

you here...fancy that

[@matthopper8396]

highly articulated

[@nitemayr131]

Jeff Baker thats an opinion, proven as i and many others disagree with it

[@babiebitch1756]

You can't deny that John is a very intelligent individual. I wish more people would see that the Sex Pistols were all just playing at the image of being hooligans, and were actually very articulate people

[@te9591]

Agreed, cant help that john is a wild beast wrapped up in the heart of an english gentleman.

[@philipbradbury2905]

Just brutally shit musicians..

[@harshh9000]

Philip Bradbury you’re fucking dumb you don’t understand what they’re really about then

[@justinruins]

no...they truly were hooligans as well, genuis or not...

[@philipbradbury2905]

@@harshh9000.. I actually understand better than you..

[@mirelle6010]

Not only is John Lydon intelligent he is also so loyal to his long-term partner Nora who is suffering from dementia,.He has said I am a one mans women and very loyal shame there are not more men like him and women who stick by their partners when illness strikes. Loved him and the pistols and love his wit still now.

[@Snoozzzzzze]

He and Sid used to go and get Mabel’s shopping for her. Mabel was an elderly lady who lived off Flask walk (Islington) in the same housing association flats that the lads did. Mabel lived on the third floor (4th to Americans) up the stone steps. Mabel who had watched the zeppelins bomb London in the First World War from those steps, always said what lovely boys they were. My sister was her next door neighbour. ♥️

[@NangTalksBoxing]

Lydon is an example of to never judge a book by its cover. Mellowed with age.

[@desertrose1226]

Sid was sweet before drugs got him.

[@quieres107]

It’s true, I was Mabel

[@sambeltram8711]

Bless their hearts for the kindness in those times

[@chriskills637]

Some good doods

[@smoothheadjohnny4719]

"Fame is a monster."

[@TWDthearcherTWD123]

@Happy Klopper Please explain.

[@jasperbustamante7800]

That reminds me of something Patrice O’Neal said about fame being a beast people line up to be eaten and shit out by

[@LocalGambler]

@@TWDthearcherTWD123 Ask Kurt Cobain...

[@nottmfunguy]

@Joe Cool Cobain was a martyr? hows that?

[@davidb5173]

@Joe Cool I think there's a myth that being famous is somehow easier because there's no mortgage or 9 to 5, but it's a totally different pressure and probably even more consuming. Stop trying to claim that the normal life is more stressful, you have no idea

[@luketia]

Wow, sometimes Lydon comes off as very wise.

[@5jerry1]

I would say often wise.

[@JEH78]

5jerry1 What about in interviews where he bashes Sid, calls him useless, worthless, a coat hanger, phony, couldn't play. Rotten has serious mental issues. Or interviews where he bashes bands like The Ramones or The Clash claiming the Pistols were the only true punk band.

[@luketia]

JEH78 Totally with you. He is both an idiot and a sage.

[@fanboy2015]

JEH78 Funny, when he was with the Pistols, in an interview he said The Ramones were the only ones who had an idea of what they were doing.

[@5jerry1]

JEH78 You're right, he's all over the map. But to actually listen to him talk about things, I think he's a very bright man.

[@zaraustra]

You can see that this has effected him his entire life and the grief and sadness has never dissipated. Thank you John for me a strong anti drug advocate, such a beautiful human being.

[@Adrian-py9cq]

Never try heroin.You'll love it.

[@Largepro21]

Shooting up dope was a thing in the late 70s across the u.k and u.s

[@MrJonsonville5]

Where were you when I needed you 16 years ago.

[@MrJonsonville5]

@@Largepro21 still very much is.

[@EnigmaticDecay]

@@Largepro21 Not sure where you live but I'm a substance abuse counselor in Texas and it is bigger than it ever has been.

[@derekcollins1972]

Yes,it must be good because people die for it.

[@trabrex7697]

Lydon is a very good social critic. He has honesty and humor and an innate psychological understanding of the human condition.

[@deenibeeniable]

Excellent comment. Few people really deserve that title. Camille Paglia is another one, but hers is based on the depth & breadth of her historical knowledge.

[@erikeggenbakstad]

So true!

[@OfficialAshArcher]

Trab Rex listen to TISM, Australian band that critiqued culture similar to the pistols. They were teachers, very smart too just like lydon

[@ryand4533]

Up yours, rightie! same thing “SJWs” are the biggest haters!

[@PatrickBaele]

And too much sympathy for the likes of Trump….

[@6942pumkinsmommy]

It's very sad that Johnny still misses his friend and feels guilty when he shouldn't

[@helendavidson751]

Lovemesexpistols

[@helendavidson751]

Michaelkelsallloveyousexpistols

[@josephbuckley5961]

Funny thing sid was his friend any person with a friend would feel shit in their life with a friend passing with drugs

[@Brewzerr]

I'd carry some guilt too if I were John. Not that I think John's a bad person or had bad intentions, but it was him who got Sid into the Pistols, and it was also him who pawned Sid off on Nancy, not knowing what kind of pandora's box would be sprung open from that. However, from what I understand Sid was already kind of predisposed towards a tragic lifestyle. Even if he had never joined the Pistols or met Nancy, he probably would have eventually ended up becoming a junkie, but it probably wouldn't have been such an accelerated process. I've had friends like Sid over the years, and sometimes I look back and think to myself "I wish there was more I could have done to help them"... but ultimately I wasn't responsible for the choices they made. If there's any one thing I have learned, it's that any time I see the warning signs in someone I care about, all I can do is let them know I'm there for them whenever they choose to seek help. I can't force help on anybody if they don't want it.

[@Monchi2006]

He wanted to get rid of the only real musician in the pistols so he could have his buddy in the band just to have someone on his side for his power plays. Yes he should feel guilty, but should forgive himself

[@starcharx9139]

i like how realistic he is about Sid and the music industry in the 70's there's no one there to help you handle fame, you're surrounded by drugs and you have to look out for yourself

[@youtuber2021]

There's never been a time when Johnny Lydon hasn't been wrong by being telling it like it is. We need more folks like him in a ever more divided world.

[@Jamie-js3qw]

you mean 'has been wrong'

[@d.leighannbatemon3192]

Listen to people on the autism spectrum. Normal people tell stories and talk like A, B, C, D, E, F but people on the spectrum (or, at least, me) talk like A, D, C, F, B, E. I can write much better than I can speak, but I see the humanity and the hubris all around me and am frustrated to hell. That's one of the things I love about punk rock. People who love punk rock listen. They don't care if you sound like an idiot. They don't beat you up for sounding like an idiot, especially if you have good ideas.

[@gib59er56]

Do you realize what you just said? The SP`s were just that very thing. They wanted to divide e4veryone. "you do what I sing and make sure to create chaos and division" You are with me, and if you are not, you are a useless POS. Become chaos and destroy anything that does not agree. I used to ask people if they knew the definition of Anarchy. Nobody knew. E$veryone said it was " do anything you want and try to be as destructive as you can". I bet you don`t know what Anarchy is. Bit you will google it and tell me you knew what it is. It is two words , You can define it in two words.

[@justtalk5970]

One of the reasons I love John is the fact that he gives off this mean, bad boy, rebel vibe at times, but he's actually really well-spoken and wise. He also owns his personality and doesn't give a damn.

[@Brewzerr]

A lot of bad boy rebel types are well spoken and wise. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

[@gaynordurdy7689]

Think you're wrong about him, he does give a damn, more than most

[@thepanel2935]

I felt that even Billy Idol, who as a youngster was part of the 'Bromley Contingent' that followed the Pistols from gig to gig, also had an articulate view of the world, especially when he moved to America to start a solo career. He commented on the 'moral decay' surrounding him in 1980s NYC, even though he was a bit 'plastic' in terms of his punk image by that stage. Sid Vicious said he never liked the Bromley Contingent.

[@bangtwister]

It's great to hear John Lyndon speaking of Sid. I do find it a bit annoying that the BBC are too happy to listen to John now when in the 70s/80s they would not give him the time of day and totally unsupportive of his new career in to PIL.

[@nickrophiliac7469]

Well said but times do indeed change- look at the Bill Grundy interview from '76 and the public outrage THAT caused, compared with our humorous and 'are, weren't things different' response to it now..

[@vantheman12welshman66]

bangtwister the BBC did the sex pistols and John Lydon a favour. The controversy, the music bans etc. It all fuel’d the fire as John would say. The Press built the bonfire and the pistols sprayed it with petrol.

[@LUFC123]

They let him speak now but they banned him from the BBC for saying the truth about that nonce Jimmy Saville

[@LizzieM1978]

He tried to blow the lid off what was going on within the BBC with Jimmy Saville during a radio interview at the BBC. This interview was shelved and he was blackballed to keep him quiet. 30 years later when everything came out he spoke about it in an interview.

[@bernadettemurray8260]

John was far more volatile and to be honest extremely difficult, down right horrible and aggressive, in his earlier days he was impossible!

[@killbotprime]

Johnny Rotten in a sweater vest? Now I've seen everything. EDIT: I made this snarky comment a year ago and YT never informed me of any replies until today, so reading the accumulated responses has been very entertaining. To be clear, my intent was merely to juxtapose the persona of Johnny Rotten against the powerful, honest, charismatic (to me, at least) human being that he became. I think Johnny Rotten would have been compelled to take the piss with this John Lydon fellow because that is who he was in 1978. It was genuinely not my intention to be disrespectful of Lydon's evolution as a human being. And since I am indeed a dumb fuckin' yank (thanks, cquilty1), I've never seen the commercials, I've just seen the interviews with him over the years and the occasional music video. Be well, everyone, but especially you, Mr. Lydon.

[@juttamaier2111]

killbotprime i really love how to this day, the man doesn't give a toss about what others think of him.

[@cquilty1]

killbotprime "sweater vest", say you. Speak English, ya dumb fuckin' Yank.

[@parkobold]

expect old Sid Vicious..

[@carrieoff]

Drinking tea you say..,

[@te9591]

You have to admit it looks good on him.

[@jamesthorley4442]

He is a sound bloke, very humble, intelligent and takes no nonsense from anybody. He has always been like that and always will. A true legend

[@NigelFortune]

I saw John Lydon at the Cheltenham Literature Festival yesterday and he is such a captivating speaker. Absolutely fascinating to listen to no matter what you think of him. I enjoyed every minute.

[@Daveonarave]

I've seen him live. He seems like quite a nice chap underneath his straight talking, quite admirable and as I'm sure you'll agree, amazingly witty!

[@NigelFortune]

Daveonarave Yes incredibly witty. He really didn't need the host to interview him. She seemed totally out of her depth and i'm sure he could have pulled the talk off on his own.

[@Daveonarave]

Nigel Fortune Yes absolutely! Also he always strikes me as the guy who would give his seat to a frail person or pregnant lady on public transport rather than pretend he hasn't seen her cos he's far too up himself like others in his business might. Or that he'd dive head first if need be into a muddy ditch to rescue someone (and refuse to accept any thanks for it)

[@austinreid7229]

John Lydon has turned out to be everything people thought he wasn't in The Pistols days.He is intelligent and witty and has very good views on the way he thinks the world should be.i

[@Daveonarave]

Austin Reid indeed! And seeing your other comment I'm in my 20s so wasn't around during the 2 or 3 years the Pistols were big but come on people, how could you not have heard of Malcolm? He's played no small part (ironic part) in the formation and success of PIL has he not! Interestingly Lydon refused to speak ill of both Malcolm and Margaret Thatcher when they died. Top Man for having such respect for humanity!

[@Foxys1974]

Anger is an energy. Best autobiography I've read in a decade or more. Most engaging, well written, honest, emotional, funny. You feel like John is talking directly taking to you. You really feel him. Couldn't put it down. Highly recommended. John is absolutely a great social philosopher. Thanks for the best read an tremendous look into your life, thanks for sharing x

[@blackberus]

+Foxy johnston try no irish no black no dogs his previous book.Also entertaining

[@Foxys1974]

+blackberus thanks for reminding me! Someone recommend that book a while ago and I forgot about it. I'm 40 and when I was living in Peckham(south London)and around the age of 12 a friend at schools mum ran a pub, I went with her there one day, and waited outside while she went in and saw her mum, and on the door to the saloon was a sign No Irish, No Blacks, No dogs! It was shocking to me as I'd be brought up around Scottish, Irish, westindian, Indian family's in the streets where I lived and went to school with them all working class and good people, I asked my mum about the sign on the bar and she told me never to go back and stopped me hanging around with that girl.

[@maxheinrichliebow]

+Foxy johnston I only read his other book, No Dogs, No Blacks, No Irish..... need to keep an eye for this one then!

[@Re-Todd_Howard]

+Foxy Johnston man that's a crazy story, it's hard to believe as an American that there could be a pub like that in London. I'm not naive I know prejudice exists everywhere. I guess I have this sort of picture in my head of what London was like back then. Did you ever visit NYC back when you were younger?

[@Foxys1974]

Markus Wilson it was shocking for that to be the case in the late eighties, but it happened... as I said I grew up with other working class people, black, white, Indian and we all got on in those days, you know, like if I was taking my time walking to school the west Indian mum, or African mum, or Sikh mum, would tell me to hurry up along or they'd tell my mum! There was a good community in those days. Now if I go back to visit my dad or brothers it's broken no one knows their next door neighbour never mind the people on their street! It's sad... NYC? I'm going there next year for five days with my best friend, never been there before. Are you in NYC?

[@bluesboy54321]

Fame is monster... Jagger said something similar when talking about Brian Jones... he said that "fame doesnt sit well on anyones shoulders, but some people it doesn't sit on at all".. something like that.

[@manicannie6857]

Mr. Lydon is abundantly underrated. He is brilliant. RIP Sid&Nancy

[@SilvioBritto]

That man has a brain. Better than most, since young age. So beautiful his commitment to his wife. Really touching.

[@J.G.Wentworth69420]

Simp

[@vOID-fh1qt]

don't think complaining about how many homeless people there are ruining the LA scenery is very representative of someone w a brain

[@arhatyellow]

Not.

[@lacali2346]

@@vOID-fh1qt the homeless vandalized and tried to bulglarized his house while his wife is sick.

[@roxannestorm2616]

John Lydon have gave me a lesson in life that fame is not all cracked up to be. Fame is most definitely a monster and I highly agree with him.

[@sylviajohnson8454]

I am a 69 year old Alaskan Indian woman, and I respect this man tremendously. He has this wonderful wit, and truly cares about people. Much love John ~

[@mtveloy]

that’s right hope you take care Sylvia

[@tristman8413]

Race isn't important...

[@sylviajohnson8454]

@@tristman8413 I just wanted to point out how he touches all cultures.

[@sylviajohnson8454]

@@mtveloy Thank you Tyrone. And the same to you dear ~

[@jamo5468]

I love listening to John Lydon. He is such an Erudite interesting character.

[@Brewzerr]

He's one of those people that you either love or hate - no in-between. I haven't always agreed with everything he's said over the years, but never once did I fail to see his level of intelligence and wisdom. He's seen it all, from a very early age, and has always managed to best his detractors and win his battles, on his own terms. Love him or hate him, you have to respect that about him. He has definitely made the world a much more interesting place, even when he's pissed me off. The man makes you THINK... and that's never a bad thing.

[@mikem3875]

This man was probably the closest thing sid ever had to a dad

[@daejahhill770]

Sid was 21 and John was 23

[@daejahhill770]

@Devon Sanchez he isnt a father figure they were friends

[@user-pm5my9zq7j]

@Devon Sanchez and your not a father figure when you only 2 years older, that’s a big brother if anything

[@fredserver3706]

I would like to add something that not many people realise about the Sex Pistols music. They were mocked as 3 chord wonders - couldn't play their instruments, terrible lyrics and couldn't sing. Damning stuff about a popular band. I've been a guitarist for many years and some of their material is bordering on genius. Take Pretty Vacant for example. 4 chords (or more accurately 4 power chords) drums bass and the lead singer shouting the lyrics. A recipe for a terrible noise. Not at all - the arpeggio of the A chord at the start was simple but brilliant bringing in great drums and the full A chord. Lydon's lyrics are very meaningful and delivered in his 'own' unique style (the rolling of the R's in the words adds to the listen-ability) The chord progression is simple but very effective and some of the guitar licks between are magical to play. Make no mistake - this was an accomplished and talented band that wrote their own music and lyrics and performed them brilliantly. Part of their persona was to be obnoxious (they were kids) and people who didn't get them assumed they were thugs with no discernible intelligence. It really could have been the greatest rock n roll swindle. :)

[@garytwitchett9359]

Fred Server : Fred , didn't Chris Spending play on the "NMTB" Sessions, or, was it the "SPUNK" Bootleg? Either way you are right, instead of a possible Cacophony, "Vacant" was Brilliant !!

[@robsgirl6465]

Fred Server : I agree 100%. In a way, the Sex Pistols did to popular music what Monet did to art. He made it "bad" on purpose, (just little smudges of paint here and there, rendering the finished product blurry and nearly unrecognizable) and thereby created a whole new genre called Impressionism.

[@kadetheghost3035]

Fred Server this can relate to the rap scene today in all honesty

[@homefront3162]

Fred Server Honestly no one cares about all this technical shit.. They made great music with great energy, trying to dissect it is dumb

[@norbitcleaverhook5040]

most overrated band ever... you are talking absolute bullshit... rubbish musicians... rubbish lyrics.... just kids being angry.. would a been fun to be there but don't over do things.

[@Becks.V.]

I luv John. He outed Saville in the 70s so they banned him from the BBC.. John did his part. He was ignored as they already knew what Seville was. Johns a really nice genuine guy.

[@billyidle3458]

True. Long live John Lydon.

[@markanderson3870]

For a second I thought it was Mark E. Smith sitting beside him.

[@CusterFlux]

"Low Rent Melodrama" … that's either a great name for a punk band - or the very definition of one.

[@ridew3072]

Xavier Roberts I guess he means "budget" or maybe "low quality" something like that?

[@babalon7778]

CusterFlux That's your low rent opinion, try some Dead Kennedys or some Rudimentary Peni or some Laibach (yeah industrial) and maybe you'll broaden your intellect, if you can.

[@erikson94gremista]

I played bass for Low Rent Melodrama. They were nice blokes.

[@suicidalcrackheadz3284]

I literally read that whilst listening to it

[@creepyzeek1]

Sideways belly blaster. Now that's a great name.

[@apmm4209]

I guessed from the title "guilt". Lydon must have already known, Sid had an addiction problem. Add to that. Fame, money and yes men. This was never going to end well.

[@melissawright1979]

John has always stood up for Sid and given him a voice. I admire that very much x

[@LeighDWYC]

I’ve always found John to be brutally honest which I absolutely admire

[@colingram8785]

I feel like I could listen to John talk all day. I don't always agree with everything he says, but I respect him and why he says what he needs to. He is refreshing in that respect when so many want to dissolve honesty, personal insight and rawness in lieu of false idolatry and the craving to be liked or politically correct (these days). He is a fascinating character and I love his propensity to flamboyance here & there when he's telling a story or recounting a memory. He also is respectful enough to convey the gravitas of something more serious, such as here

[@johngrayatkinson1214]

This is very real and honest. Much respect to John for this on the loss of his friend.

[@geraldmellon740]

I’ve never liked the Sex Pistols or bands of that period during the punk era but John Lydon it has to be said is very articulate and always worth listening to. He knows the fame game is a sham...

[@francishuddy9462]

Sid was from Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Lived in Lime Hill Road, only a 2-minute from the War Memorial and civic centre, and town centre. Lime Hill Road is a nice street, superb houses, mostly divided into flats.

[@JamieMarksify]

Got a lot of love for John such an intelligent human being and is not scared to speak facts from the heart, even if people don't like it, a true man 🤘🙏

[@briteness]

"...the cottage industry of liggers that you get being in a band" Well put.

[@johnnyblade4351]

Dear John It is a sad loss to lose a friend that you can't help from addiction.. saw ya Cromer Lynx 77 and later with Pil at the LCR Norwich... Both were equally Iconic. Rise... No tears by request .. I think you made good and changed alot of peoples outlook & perceptions of life as we know it... Thankyou RIP Sid xx

[@philcliffe6909]

Sid would have self destructed with or without John Lydon.

[@Graveyard-Senpai]

I think so as well considering what kind of people that were around him at the time. At the same time, I think anybody can break cycles like that if your will is strong enough and have proper support.

[@te9591]

John lydon can have a fascinating verbal candor.

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

I like how Johny conducts his interviews, RIP Sid.

[@dstroh22]

such a smart way to describe everything.. no judgement, no condescension.. love this John Lydon

[@patrickryan5570]

I like it when Johnny shows his vulnerable side and he opens up here for a change to show his kind heart nature...

[@PinkyPuff69]

I like the way he describes heroin, as a way of hiding the inadequacies we all feel. It really does. Then later, you get to experience it all over again but this time you're conscious. That's exactly the way things turned out for me.

[@ryang790]

how r u? r u clean?

[@PinkyPuff69]

Ryan G Yes, Not so easy, though. It's been about 8 years and I still dream of using something to inject and instantly soothe my soul. it's not worth the price I paid. Thanks for asking.

[@danielaschwarz1971]

I am 10 years clean now since january 2017 but I have exactly the same that I still dream of using to inject H or H with K (Coce)together and when I wake up I am glad that I had no relapse.But I try never again,it was a hard way! It is heaven and hell. Good that you are sober too.

[@ryang790]

Yeah i have them dreams to. They are very weird aren't they? I dream of going round to see the people i used to hang about with.thanks by the way.You are very inspirational Daniela. ;-]

[@manicannie6857]

@@ryang790 It's been since the 80s and I STILL have drug dreams. Bloody Hell!

[@osheen7337]

the guy beside him rolled his eyes when he said he felt guilty

[@MichaelGarland]

Mark E. Smith lead vocal and instigator of the Fall. Fascinating chap rip.

[@adrianslevin197]

clever articulated man,always liked what i saw.all the best to you and your wife for 2021.

[@lindseylovesblog]

Thanks for uploading love always lindsey 💓💓

[@First_Houser84]

It is so good to see those young rascals of the 1970s turned into these wise and soft-spoken uncles sharing their reminiscences of the past. Thank god they are still alive and healthy.Sid wasnt as lucky

[@badbabybear1]

That's heavy. Sometimes it hurts watching people destroy themselves.

[@TheMattJacks]

That is the most patient and straightforward I have ever seen John Lydon be.

[@fabrix7907]

I am glad he changed his views over the years about him, I remember in the past he said "he was an idiot, we want to stay alive".

[@zenithpoint7038]

I like Johnny. He seems a genuine and nice guy.

[@gutterdandy9173]

NO HE'S A PRICK WHO MARRIED AN HEIRESS GRANNY AND WHEN SHE CROAKS HE IS RICHER THAN RICH.

[@momomono795]

you must be kidding , right ?

[@johnny5tunes]

Could listen to John Lydon all day, speaks a lot of truth.👏👏

[@tracyjacoby2382]

I love listening to him talk & give interviews. No BS, straight up truth. He's not a dopey person.

[@joannemckann7948]

The more I hear from him, the more I respect him.

[@MrFarnanonical]

0:51 That's really well thought out. Often you hear celebrities aggrandizing irrelevant bullshit but I think he really nailed it there, his guilt over Sid's insecurities, Sid wasn't a musician, he felt like an imposter.

[@pk6810]

The guy was out of his depth sadly and didn't have much substance to him. Lydon and Cook always seemed to have self preservation whereas Sid and Steve Jones both found the needle as their way to cope with it. Both those guys had a terrible upbringing whereas Lydon and Cook had a mother, father and siblings looking out for them, very sad but childhood has a lot to answer for.

[@ingridmolina8763]

"fame is a monster"

[@PinkyPuff69]

I admire and respect John for his truth the way he sees it. He just has always had a way with telling it out plain and true.

[@SlipDownRokc]

thanks lady

[@LindaTCornwall]

Look at the eye roll there 0:13 as Lydon says he felt guilty! I'm guessing he doesn't believe him or had heard him saying this over and over! Very strange....

[@Lord_Hillcrest]

I didnt see that as an eyeroll . Hes just looking around.

[@carpetchair5778]

@@Lord_Hillcrest how is that not an eyeroll?

[@Lord_Hillcrest]

@@carpetchair5778 Notice hes blinking rather fast , to me hes trying to find his focus , thats not an eyeroll to me .

[@ajortiz377]

@@Lord_Hillcrest There talking about the guy next to him

[@creepyzeek1]

Or perhaps you're reading into something that just isn't there.

[@yanchouser7364]

I have the deepest respect for this guy as even in my childhood i could see a person with human interests that just lived his life without interfering and just accepting the misjudgment of others. What else can you do?

[@emolnar20012]

He wasn't the brightest spark on the planet but he was still in his teens and very early 20's. It's incredible how short his life was but how long he will be remembered. I really believe people don't quite give Sid enough credit. He really did posses incredible talent never fully realized and most certainly impaired by his tragic journey.

[@voteZDLR]

I do think Sid was actually the better punk vocalist than Johnny. It's close, but if he had lived I do think Sid would have gone very, very far as a frontman. Lose the bass, you know, and be the frontman. That was Sid. Case in point, his performance of "My Way".

[@emolnar20012]

ok buddy

[@emolnar20012]

***** Let me explain it a little better for you; My opinion based on my objective enjoyment of his work is that he was very talented and would have progressed if he would have lived and not gotten all fucked up. He most certainly had the balls to get up there and do it! And I still rock the shit out of his recordings of "Something Else" and "No Fun". I am not trying to polish his cock. I just like his work as I have since the late 80's. If that isn't talent, then fuck it; Call it whatever you want.

[@emolnar20012]

***** Not upset at all Cupcake. So what part did you not agree with then? It was the "Incredible" part, wasn't it??? I should have said "lots of talent" instead ;)

[@emolnar20012]

Vicious White Kids live; need I really say more. He had tremendous talent, very poopular amongst music geeks not to recognize.

[@bentolleson8582]

You can tell he is very heartbroken. I feel so bad for him. I really believe John has a good heart.

[@sinwithsebastian]

I have a deeper respect for Johnny, I think it was always obvious that he is good hearted and intelligent. And the songs stood the test of time, I appreciate them more now then before

[@e22378]

What a great interview

[@FrostedSeagull]

I have always respected John Lydon. Lydon was hated for many years as he told the truth about the Pistols and in particular, about the stupid "mythology" about Sid Vicious. As Johnny has repeatedly said, "heroin turned Sid into an idiot of the worse kind." In other documentaries he discusses how Vicious was heroin sick at the beginning of the ill - fated 1978 American tour. Johnny almost got him heroin free but as soon as they would hit L.A. I think, McLaren made sure that Vicious got heroin. John gave up and called it a day singing the last famous words " . .. ever feel like you've been cheated."

[@richardpadden]

John Lydon is an absolute LEGEND. Remember living in Germany in 1976 when the Pistol's came out. It's not until we got back to Blighty the following year that I realised what they were all about. And I was only 10 at that time.

[@MsTickle]

Didn't want to watch this video, but couldn't skip over it... like my finger gave my brain the finger. Sid Vicious.. sigh... We still think and talk about you often.. You're still deeply loved and missed. Rest in peace, love.

[@charalamposkatsenis2698]

A 70s punk rocker is a lot more well spoken than a today's mainstream pop singer.

[@crystalracing4794]

But yet they seen as the degenerates of their era

[@bubcentral23]

The lyrics to Lazy Sod aka Lazy Sid show how much Lydon actually cared.

[@andrear1751]

Or maybe they show he was just venting, as friends are prone to do now and again.You can't take one song as representative of a person's entire relationship.

[@shaunkelly9860]

John Lydon is a very interesting man, with a good heart.

[@cmrguitar1137]

I’d love to see this full interview

[@krakfar5254]

I've always just seen Johnny Rotten shouting at people in interviews. Here he is actually quite well spoken and insightful. Obviously quite an intelligent man

[@gtr1487]

The more I listen to this guy, the more respectable and likeable he seems.

[@Becks.V.]

I love John. Very down to earth. Wise man.

[@lorenzoskyhawk]

You're my hero, what's done is done.... without the you guys my life would not have taken the path it has.... For the better... cheers!

[@finishhim6663]

I could listen to this man until earth stops spinning and the stars all die in the sky. Wise top bloke.

[@petergabriel1606]

We need more people in the world like John Lydon.

[@DMSProduktions]

John is a legend and a gentleman! Blunt, & to the point! Says it like it always was!

[@paulv5260]

I could listen to John tell stories all day..

[@antonyfrost2541]

Yes I agree he's very intelligent and has a genuine sence of life and how it can shape people s perception of who they are

[@synovium]

John Lydon is so pragmatic and brutally honest about life's adversities. He has matured into a beautiful person, as raw as he may seem. To me, there is an inner caring side about him that shines here oddly.

[@sociallites]

I can listen and watch John L youtube video for hours. Allways has something interesting to say.

[@barryking3714]

Yep. Am looking forward to the new PIL album, the next (London) gig and reading the book. Some people make the world a better place.

[@TamperedSource]

Lol I've been doing that for a while now

[@entenigelpfau]

Fantastic, listening to John talking like this! I am from ´68 and was a Punk-Fan, once ; so i still know who the Pistols were. John was a "Thinker" - Punk was his Valve ; his way of telling the "Thruth to the people". A super intelligent "scholar" He knows and understands exquisitly what he is talking about, here. CHAPEAU!

[@bonniewilliams5181]

I'm glad someone has finally said Fame is a monster

[@JohnWhitakerHRHardball]

She manages to get more information from him than just about any interview I’ve heard....good on’ya girl.

[@MarkByrne1965]

I have to agree with you NNJKolman, very decent and heart-felt words by Johnny. It's such a shame that the media angers him so much of the time that we don't see enough of the real John Lydon. I'd not seen/heard this before. Thanks for posting it :)

[@nitegoat1369]

I love John Lydon. What more can you ask of a human being than pure honesty and no tolerance for bullshit?

[@carolann1967cc]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Sid Vicous and his herion addiction R.I.P

[@MyXxx77]

The irony is, without the addition of Sid Vicious (Simon Ritchie) , who had to be taught how to play bass, no one outside of England would likely have ever heard of the Sex Pistols. Some people like to say he couldn't play but there are plenty of live recordings where his playing is plenty adequate. Holding down the roots and sometimes even playing some of the bass riffing that Steve Jones played on the albums. Sid was a punk icon. Even with Johnny Rotten, without Sid Vicious as the final piece of the image puzzle, the Pistols would've been quickly forgotten.

[@yggdrasil9039]

John Lydon is a national treasure.

[@clvrswine]

What nation? He became an American 10 years ago. Is he an American treasure? Maybe think next time, before you comment.

[@newton6850]

“Fame is a monster” I wish as human beings we could end the illusion of fame. It kills so many people. It’s nothing but an ILLUSION

[@lauraarcher1730]

TrashPanda Raccoon idiot!!! Fame means nothing In life it doesn’t being true lasting happiness and adds nothing of true value to your life, it means nothing!

[@newton6850]

@TrashPanda Raccoon lmao chill out guys

[@Whalebone471]

Mr Lyndon tells it just as it is ,i could sit and just listen too him all day ,legend x

[@Sameoldfitup]

“A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended.” “It wasn't only wickedness and scheming that made people unhappy, it was confusion and misunderstanding; above all, it was the failure to grasp the simple truth that other people are as real as you.”

[@PeterKKraus]

Back in '77 when I started smoking weed, I vowed to myself from the start, I would NEVER use a needle to get high EVER. I still haven't .

[@davidtingley9978]

My refusal to use a needle definitely kept me from trying it. That, and junkies don't like to share. The one time when I took it accidentally (I should have asked what the h in h-bomb stood for) was enough to tell me that if I had tried it knowingly, it would have been game over.

[@fuzzballzz36]

Good! It never does anyone any good. Smart of you to avoid that.

[@seanoconnor5730]

I think his age also had an impact on it. He was about 18 when he joined an already famous band and his youthful naivety allowed it to get to him. Not to mention his inability to play bass also held him back.

[@fisherrich100]

Such an honest interview. Well done John L 👏

[@MyHayley01]

I could lisen to him all day