Johnny Rotten Interview - MTV 120 Mins 1987

Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) is the special guest on a 1987 episode of "120 Minutes" on MTV. Topics include the lyrics behind "Rise", from their 1986 "plain-wrap" album, artwork for the 1987 "Happy?" album, as well as a clip from the "Cocktail Version of Anarchy in the UK".
Show was hosted by Kevin Seal and produced by Dave Kendall.

[@WobblyLance]

"I'm not a performing seal..." he says, looking directly at Kevin Seal and smiles to himself. Amazing

[@aaronlane8405]

Mr Lydon has the patience of a Saint.

[@JP-pm8tk]

Doesn't he just, obnoxiously expelling mucous from his nose on to the studio floor. A great indication of a tolerant person.

[@nothingnobody910]

Are you joking? Have you seen all his interveiws??

[@marguitar3135]

That Johnny is a fascinating guy, mainly because he's usually so cuttingly accurate about the world.

[@anaparada7219]

Amen

[@nomadsteve5297]

Tyler Mod you sir are a fool

[@realsinisterminister]

@Tyler Mod and who are you?

[@5eviexe466]

He's no more accurate than any other intelligent socially aware person

[@realsinisterminister]

@@5eviexe466 any "socially aware" person nowdays is just an SJW cunt....he's far more advanced

[@Georgian1717]

Johnny Rotten is brilliant.

[@lanahoward2209]

He's a fucking genius and and absolute icon.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Why?

[@experi-mentalproductions5358]

@@AnthonyMonaghan Coz'

[@experi-mentalproductions5358]

@Cannon Reyansh You're a bot.

[@experi-mentalproductions5358]

@Jaylen Leland And you're a bot.

[@tonyarmstrong9211]

@@AnthonyMonaghan Because he's got balls as big as watermelons.

[@jasonpeters9716]

Jesus.. Husker Du, Depeche Mode, Echo & The Bunnymen.. Just incredible MTV was

[@davidbailey6397]

I remember watching this back then. My friends and I were huge PIL fans and we were eating up the whole thing. Watching Kevin Seal getting taken to the cleaners was a hoot. One of the most entertaining moments in MTV history.

[@deniseflygirl]

Me too. I had recorded this on my VCR and watched it countless times.

[@smarieintn5955]

Kevin did great with him You should see his other interviews.

[@Fatherjohn76]

John is funny here. And quite charming and amiable by his standards.

[@michaelhalbert3843]

Rise is one of my all time favorite PIL songs, had no idea what it was about. "May the road rise with you," that's how I signed all my letters in the 80's...

[@markobuenrostro8977]

Johnny Rotten is one smart dude

[@realsinisterminister]

@@user-greypolo Tyler is an idiot............OK boomer makes you an idiot robot...........go lick that Greta autistic rich kids snatch ya cunt

[@michaelriches8048]

First time I've thought that Johnny was actually the 'sane' person in the room lol.

[@smarieintn5955]

I'm sure I watched that live. I always stayed up late in high school to watch 120 mins. This is my fave vj too. He and Martha Q. And I taped most episodes of the Young Ones. I miss the 80s!

[@Twirlyhead]

I think that is the first time I have seen a US TV presenter with less than perfect teeth. It will never catch on but he can always get a job here in the UK.

[@Darrylizer1]

I'd forgotten that MTV used to show music and interview musicians.

[@smokinnplatez1426]

Wow another worn out joke

[@Darrylizer1]

@@smokinnplatez1426 And another worn out comment. You're boring.

[@MilkerBarba]

"we should enjoy the little time we have in planet earth" long life Johnny Rotten.

[@ktiitfa2491]

lol what has gaming got to do with punk

[@azynkron]

Interview aside.. this was when MTV had some good music. Just listen to the bands that he announces.

[@news4usunshine]

Humorless??? Lydon literally oozes humor, always has. But apparently it flies way over your head.

[@sexobscura]

irony is a dish best served cold - old Klingon slaying

[@ndnd2023]

I've got American relatives, and they just do not catch the sardonic British sense of humour. 🙂

[@davidmellish3295]

@@sexobscura just a rip off of the actual saying " revenge is a dish best served cold "

[@smarieintn5955]

Lydon is solid gold.

[@Eggnoodlesandketchup3]

I'm not a performing seal... Next.. Your case in point.

[@richardtherrien4696]

The guys a bloody legend.

[@marguitar3135]

I agree. I recently discovered Lydon/Sex Pistols/PIL's music and messages. It's like a breath of fresh air. Actually hearing some one fearlessly speak the truth about the fucking idiotic governmental/corporate/cultural lunacy that we're living in, what a concept.

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

well he’s wrong

[@gagibakija4825]

Every country should have a statue of Jonny rotten

[@jasonwood3377]

“The Alarm of course, a band from England, North Wales” And to think that wasn’t the most embarrassing thing about this presenter, fair play to John, he had more patience with the guy than I would’ve.

[@acfball]

Interesting to see him not very angry at the interviewer as he usually is. Also interesting to see him talk about goth. Loved it.

[@otep67]

24 years later yes we want him back! XD

[@Brytons_Thoughts]

5:11 "[We know] we're all going to die, this is a fact. But the point is, we should enjoy what little time we have on planet earth." And just like that, John wiped away a huge chunk of my angst. Very life changing moment for me when when I first heard of this interview from about five to four years ago.

[@gamesplaystation1]

this is my favorite Johhny Rotten Hair!

[@kangfesher]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR YEARS!!!!!!!!!! TY TY TY TY TY

[@RobotSuperstar]

He's an amazing artist, hella witty and a total effing BABE!

[@brookegoslin]

He’s very very bang on about so many things John Lydon ! I like what he had to say about Goth Rock and glorifying death !

[@Commack08]

thank you for posting. !

[@NeverlandFlyer]

The guys laughing in the background make what he does even funnier!

[@BLUEbalerbals]

Can't believe Johnny Rotten said violence doesn't solve anything.

[@Xcorgi]

John in the early days although entertaining was pretty abrasive and because of that was one of the most difficult people for anyone to interview at that time. There was no way you could have a correct question or statement for him in his mind.

[@REMChicagoBoy]

When this first aired, I never even heard of the Velvet Underground when he mentioned them. Now, I love them. We used to call this show "120 commercials"…they've play four videos, interview the guest for 6 total minutes and the rest of the show was commercial after commercial after commercial...

[@garethjohn6067]

I fucking hate ads.john is a genius and can do what he wants to "anarchy in the UK."he wrote it!

[@GreenLepidolite]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard John Lydon compliment another artist.

[@jonunderscore]

Read "John Lydon on the Music that Made Him" on Pitchfork

[@jamest7500]

this is where The Simpsons got the idea for Side Show Bob

[@debraforbes5701]

James T Or Robert Smith that I also love.

[@33andathird]

His sarcasm is cathartic and much needed in the UK of today. It cuts through the fog and smarm. It's a coping mechanism in the face of stupidity and hypocrisy. I like him. He's like medicine. The backhanded compliment to the Bunnymen is also apt: "Better than most of the other rubbish" is as good as it gets on the Lydon scale. And they most certainly were: one of the few eighties bands I'll still listen to.

[@Paddy.C]

I didn't realise that the Lemonheads were around this early. You live and learn.

[@Slance1Himself]

thank you SO much! :)

[@lmjones7716]

"They're from England. Precisely North Wales".

[@Commack08]

Kevin Seal. And yes, Kevin was nervous because of Johnny's reputation.

[@jcbc2004]

I love this interview, really :D

[@benoitbvg2888]

- [akward laughter] "aahHHHAAAHHAAaaaa and we'll be back for more..." - "unfortunately" LOL

[@shaneo4722]

Brilliant!smartest man in rock n roll! Keep it real,johnny!

[@teresacalladine7479]

That's what I like about this man He speaks his mind He's not afraid to say what he thinks on any subject. I believe he is very political, but that's just my view. He also comes to the point and says it how he sees it with no bs .

[@Ojoe2010]

Lydon was in a good mood that night, many times a VJ like that would be fed some nasty remarks followed by Lydon walking off the set.

[@Losrandir]

He seems to be getting a lovely drink or two in to help his mood

[@nothingnobody910]

Truth.

[@michaelmcmanus108]

Always class

[@taffysaur]

oh, man, it keeps coming. what a great period of music. and mtv had to play it all, hahaha!

[@isshinryu11]

Johnny being bold and incredible as he..just is...

[@nussiah1]

I remember this when it aired, I thought Kevin was stoned that night....I again say he was.

[@BlackTeddies]

Oh dear god... the interviewer... JESUS.

[@megadethmofo]

It would have been awful to watch this when it originally aired. 45 minutes of commercials and crappy band videos...9 minutes of Mr. Lydon.

[@97channel]

"Violence doesn't achieve anything", - John Lydon. 1987. "Careful now, you might get a smack". - John Lydon. 1998.

[@dummytree]

+97channel "History doesn't matter" - John Lydon, 1980. "History is important" - John Lydon, 200-something

[@97channel]

+slap head I don't support this kind of TV. You assumed that. And you're wrong. That "no real life just a pseudo reality TV" you mention, do you mean like I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here? That kind of thing?

[@gromitpesley]

Violence doesn't achieve anything, but sarcasm does.

[@dedg0st]

consistency and not evolving is selling out

[@jakeshaw6827]

Ayy we all change our mind from time to time it's like science the idea is always evolving and changing

[@jebgleason-allured5686]

All I want is the tape they recorded between commercials.

[@dkibort]

Hilarious. I can listen to John Lydon all day

[@TheScorpiant]

a true legend

[@AnoNymous-2013]

Johnny Rotten AKA John Lydon AKA Tarrant Hightopp AKA the Mad Hatter

[@gasdorfymunchy2552]

he's intense

[@jakeaaron]

I laughed when he leaned over and cut him off to read his teleprompter.

[@villemoilol]

there's no interview of him which i wouldn't laugh at, he's the man, hahah.

[@Cryogenian]

3:20 Johnny to K.Seal, I'm not a preforming seal (crew laughs)

[@RawllyK]

I love it

[@SynthJohn]

John's facial expressions always reminds me of Kenneth Williams. 😂😂

[@Madge1995]

He rules!

[@chancemoody8448]

I read about this interview in the book I Want My MTV…. Highly recommend everyone read that book!

[@raymurf7953]

very smart bloke, he had Saville will susst!!!

[@BEMAL96]

Johnny rules

[@gazlee3208]

Could easily have been a stand up.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

People could never figure out the secret to dealing with Lydon: Just be real.

[@Jakegothicsnake]

I like gothic rock and Johnny Rotten. ^_^

[@otisdriftwood1697]

Love Johnny !!!

[@heftosprod]

Excellent. Killing joke on the agenda too.

[@closair]

Luv it

[@revol148]

Lydon has spent the past decade saying rise was not about South Africa and yet back in the late 1980's he says it was.

[@patkelly3966]

I saw this guy try to interview Justin Sullivan from New Model Army around same time and he was pitiful there too.

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

i thought kevin seal was so cool back in 1987 perfect example of happy 80s guy with good music tastes. did not hear this awesome album in 1987 from johnny rotten.

[@no98765]

I'm surprised by all the negative comments towards Kevin Seal. I always liked him and I thought his demeanor was more about just deflecting John's schtick and laughing it off. I don't think anyone should take John too seriously because he's always angry about something, and if you actually try to take him to task, he'll throw a fit. It's hard to rip into someone who is laughing at your face. John is and has always been a notorious interviewee. Kevin's approach in dealing with this was by being comedic and dismissive The only way you can deal with an inflated ego like John's is to make light of it and not take anything he does or says too seriously. He was deliberately baiting him to rip on the current bands of the time.

[@soundbombing1076]

After the first 30 seconds I knew this wasn't go well for the interviewer

[@br4ve]

Funny isn't it time grants hindsight which puts things in a totally different perspective. Johnny plays the fool here as does the interviewer but at that point in time they were doing their thing. In Johnny's defense he's essentially the same character today that he was then that speaks of integrity which grants my respect

[@rachelembletonpalmer5891]

A legend tho love ya Jonny

[@jennytaylor3324]

4:59 says it all. This host is like a throwback to the 1950s.

[@trishwright986]

good interview for a preppy vj. lots of laughs :) funny when the buzzed vj slurred "limited"

[@-M-A-B-]

So classic.

[@chuckselvage3157]

A living legend he'd probably scoff at that but he is.

[@zacdior9402]

This was the good ole days of MTV Peace ✌️ out people

[@Fatherflot64]

He has the facial expressiveness of a silent film star. It's "mugging" for the camera taken to the level of fine art. D.W. Griffith and Eric Von Stroheim would have loved him.

[@rongravy]

i sAw PiL in 1990. best show on acid i ever did seen...

[@fanboy2015]

Enjoy your life while you've got it.

[@MrBryBZ]

I enjoyed 120 Minutes as a teenager in the 80's... But MAN o MAN, I had forgotten how much I hated Kevin Seal! He always struck me as a smug a-hole trying to do a bad Bill Murray impression. And I could never figure out why MTV would get a condescending preppie like him, to host a show about alternative music (as we called it back then) for an audience of cynical punk teens who watched it precisely because we were sick of anything and everything mainstream.

[@krissisu1111]

Thank you!! Kevin was so wrong for this show...

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

@@krissisu1111 he was the only vj i liked or remembered. not sure why i liked him back then. maybe i liked the happy style he had back then.

[@nitegoat1369]

You and are of the same generation, Zed. I always thought Kevin Seal was a smug little prick, who got his gig as a favor to daddy.

[@mistere1478]

The host seems like he's high.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yeah the Bill Murray schtik the dude was totally goofy 🤪

[@Devik666]

Like Johnny’s hair here nearly could of had it like this myself lol

[@abrax23]

6:03 "They're from England... From the north of Wales."

[@MrRDiggity]

wow never seen that rendition

[@nesta8518]

It’s better to burn out than to fade away

[@brookegoslin]

Very intelligent man John Lydon!

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Hoooosker Dooo. I thought the cover art for Happy? was designed by graphic designer Richard Evans as a nod to Hundertwasser. At least that's what it says on the album cover.

[@brix4297]

genius.

[@Ruffbiker68]

I still have his attitude and sarcasm

[@brycenuttall6144]

So funny and quick witted

[@liquidsnake6879]

Beautiful lol

[@d0t_DoT_dOT]

...when you finally understand Johnny’s rhetoric. #2020

[@freddiewadling2090]

"The questions ... pretty damned dismal, but, you know, you do your best" hahaha roflmao