Public Image Ltd.- Interview With JJ Jackson (MTV 1982) 1st Part

phenagen.blogspot.com/
16 September of 1982
The Commercial Zone Era.
R.I.P. JJ Jackson
Thanks to Steve Lodge.

[@sratus]

Hats off to the only man I've seen keep control of a PIL interview

[@paulgardner9763]

Yep, I thought that ! Very cool !

[@AlexanderLaurence]

Very sad to hear the brilliant Keith Levene has died. What a legacy he left. His guitar playing on the first PIL records was the blueprint.

[@swerdna12069]

This is probably the most comfortable PiL interview I've seen.

[@hamburgerhelperflick]

It's because the host doesn't condescend to them like Tom Snyder. He's on their level and he talks to them like what they have to say is important.

[@dimbulb1178]

hamberderhelper He was the only MTV veejay who could’ve done this interview. JJ Jackson drove Led Zeppelin around The States during their first US tour. He was a real music guy.

[@hashamulhaq111]

I think they respect that the interviewer holds his own around the 11 minute mark Aswell

[@donsolis12]

you got that right lol

[@davidellis5141]

This is as chill as John has ever been & as talkative as Keith has. Good job by JJ.

[@fpicc8807]

JJ handled that very diplomatically considering Johnny would make interviewers sweat and go on the defense.

[@XellKamikaze]

It's a shame Keith didn't get more attention. The guy was very charismatic judging by this interview, and he understood the psychology of making intriguing tunes. His guitar style is one of a kind!. A true post-punk guitar hero, for lack of a better term. I'm sure he'd cringe at that though.

[@jonesy2111]

He's a truly underrated and innovative musician

[@sexobscura]

he's a musical virtuoso

[@glennoc8585]

In earlier interviews he was like a mute.

[@whalemedicine]

RIP Keith 😢

[@danielnewman3428]

This interview was so good because they all respected and considered each others opinions. Too many times the interviewer looks to interrogate Lydon and doesn't give a dam about his opinions, JJ did so well.

[@bencolemanart]

JJ Jackson is very chill. I like his vibe a lot. No wonder these two were so reasonable in his presence.

[@jamesgretsch4894]

JJ Jackson was a heck of an interviewer. He was genuine. Kurt Loader on the other hand they would have walked out on him in a New York Minute, literally.

[@miked3168]

James Gretsch loder is a smug twat

[@Wearenotreallyhere]

John is so perceptive, he’s much more relaxed with JJ than he is usually in interviews because he seemingly likes him. Says more about most interviewers than it does about Johnny. Johnny’s one of the most sincere genuine people that’s ever existed in music and most just can’t handle that!

[@stevezilla68]

I have seen dozens of interviews with John Lydon, and it's amazing to me how differently he behaves here on this MTV set because he genuinely respects JJ Jackson.

[@merbac]

JJ is smooth. Not intimidated by John or Keith who can be rather snarky.

[@diegoloera435]

Gotta respect the interviewer for not backing down. In fact, he actually makes them feel like regular guys.

[@iamnotcoolandproud]

The best PiL Interview ever. Keith has plenty of valid points to make, the interviewer knows shit about them and respects them, and when Lydon does speak he's at his best.

[@buzzbuzzerson3592]

Great interview. JJ Jackson did a great job!

[@jamesgretsch4894]

I think John Lydon and Levene are in shock that JJ Jackson's interview is actually quality unlike most the other interviewers that came before him.

[@TheDunzweiler]

JJ definitely handles Lydon extremely well in this interview, gives him just enough stroke to keep him smirking. These two gentleman could smell “the man” a mile away. JJ Jackson was a class act! RIP Keith :/

[@ronbo11]

I really liked this interview. It was interesting to hear the chatter before and after the official Q&A started, John Lydon was actually somewhat "friendly" and Keith Levene was a revelation to me. I think J.J. did a great job and I just wish PIL had stuck together (and gotten Wobble back) - they were great but could have contributed so much more.

[@sexobscura]

That's true I'll say working with John over time would be a nightmare

[@guynelson2341]

For me, Keith Levene is one of the unsung guitar heroes of the twentieth century.

[@shilohxo9291]

Yes

[@glenmiles6279]

Yes,he even said,”I’m acting now”.

[@LuiePool]

Wow, I think that from a certain point in the video Johnny started to respect J.J.. And enjoy him.

[@jasmineblack9778]

it was so exciting as a teenager watching PIL play music & watching their interviews

[@Eire_Go_Deo]

God I love watching them smoke and relax and chat before the official Q&A.

[@rotallyPumpered]

Great interviewer. They come off so spikey and dismissive at first, but really grow to appreciate his respect and genuine interest. Like watching a world-class negotiator.

[@kathy197778]

Keith was really into this interview, and yes he was talking with a lot of enthusiasm. He always tried to be the voice of reason, even when Lydon went off on the interviewer.

[@sexobscura]

probably a major factor in why he left

[@Tomversal]

According to Lydon, Levene was hard to work with - I think that's bollocks (excluding the drugs)

[@kathy197778]

@@Tomversal Tom I worked with him from 2011 through early 2016. Keith was a perfectionist. He worked long 30 hour days on everything that came out of the CZ2014 project (as he says he did during Commercial Zone) not just in Prague but also in Florida and London. He was always professional, hard working, dedicated and motivated to do the best possible work. It showed in the work. Thank you for ignoring the bollocks.

[@user-kl4bh4lq6r]

Being to kool for Skool with the Cigarette's 🚬🚬

[@SlimyboyDave]

R.I.Peace, Keith Levene 💔

[@andybiddle9088]

RIP Keith....Very sad loss indeed

[@JRDStv]

11:39 well MTV is definitely not that now, just all about teenage pregnancys

[@Gerkinstock]

Jay Smith JJ Jackson was the only person at MTV who could have pulled off this interview. He was the ultimate pro. Very smart, very perceptive, very knowledgable, not intimidated at all by interviewing smart people who will suffer fools gladly (or won't suffer them gladly, whatever the correct phrase is).

[@pattycifra2076]

Shut yer gob, Bette Bleu, and the rest of you who made ignorant comments here. You're the unpleasant ones! If you were actually LISTENING to the interview, John's not rude once. He is friendly with JJ, smiles and jokes, and answers all the questions intelligently. He's quiet and contemplative at times when he's lost in thought, which I find fascinating to watch, because John's a deep thinker. He's lived an insanely intense life. And yeah, he jokes that he's been acting all his life, cause he's been a stage performer since age 19 with the Pistols, and has had fame thrust upon him unexpectedly at such a young age. It always makes me sad to John and Keith together, two brilliant, talented young artists who were close friends, and then sadly the friendship / partnership fell apart. They seemed so right together. Hope they have, or will, make peace one day. It's fascinating that there exist two versions of PiL to this day, performing in front of audiences. What a fantastic band. Thanks for the brilliant music you created, John and Keith. Much love to ya both.

[@voyeurcoma638]

Patty Cifra this is the best comment I have ever read on KZbin, your a purveyor of the truth.

[@jonesy2111]

Absolutely... Johnny isn't an easy interview but is always a good one... he is able to express himself in a very honest way

[@MahatmaLevolence]

Lydon was a rent boy at the House of Commons, he's a liar.

[@Bpg5012trick]

@@MahatmaLevolence only a rent boy could know what an other rent boy is doing.

[@MahatmaLevolence]

@@Bpg5012trick Not necessarily true if you research King Mob, who and what they were and which members were servicing politicians, primarily in the House of Commons.

[@MrDoremouse]

Lol when the camera lingers on Lydon when Keith is talking away 10 minutes in. It's Johnny whose hard to interview. J.J.Jackson deserves a medal.

[@marguitar3135]

Amazing how the interviewer said MTV is a "rock and roll" channel. My, how things change.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Mar Guitar it used to stand for music television but does it still play any music? I’ve heard it’s all silly pregnant teenagers shows and reality shit today. Not that I’d want to hear any of todays corporate crappy music.

[@donsolis12]

R.I.P. KEITH : (

[@campbellfiles9019]

Why 5 people didn't like this? JJ is a great interviewer

[@Utuber-hk9xj]

Bw Campbell Nothing wrong with the interviewer, the interviewees made it very difficult for him, Johnny Rotten has a different attitude these days I would say!

[@mossfixx]

This was very enjoyable on my left ear!!! Thank you for this video 😁

[@stevegasparutti8341]

I love the way john slightly mellows with each interview - He was the ultimate wind-up - i doubt anyone quite got it - even his fans. Genius. JJ got it, poor old Tom Snyder didnt

[@chogokin666]

I think Tom in his corny way was quite good with them. But yes it was much more adversarial.

[@joeyfrederick9156]

The last 5 minutes of this interview almost made me cry; "Oh, what MTV could have been!" Back in the days when they actually played music videos, you could see a PiL video, then Olivia Newton-John, then Rainbow, then Roxy Music, then some artist I never hear of but found interesting...now it's all--ugh!--reality shows and stupid game shows...SOB!

[@sexobscura]

There wasn't the plethora of clips to play then - MTV made the video industry flourish

[@chogokin666]

The future was better in the past. I like the way you put it. From soup to nuts, the possibities were endless. Now it's utter shite.

[@davedogge2280]

I knew the face for many years as the 2nd promotional guy for PiL but I never knew he was also from The Clash - RIP Keith Levene.

[@tillwesenberg1178]

So critical, but still supporting the tobacco industry. Love it.

[@VoodooFlintstone]

That's JJ man, he's a boss.

[@JustK009]

🎯🎯🎯🍻

[@user-kj1pq6zh3x]

The interviewer deserves an award for his patience

[@gogoyubari366]

I always loved listening to JJ on the radio in the early 70s.

[@B0yardigi0rn0]

These two are hilarious. Saw them live in Seattle, probably the greatest show I have ever been to.

[@MisAnnThorpe]

Thanks for putting this up. Would never have got to see it otherwise. I find it rather sad that Levene is still talking with such enthusiasm about PiL & he & Lydon seem to have a good relationship & yet it must've been only a very short while later that he and Lydon fell out leading to Keith doing a runner with the Commercial zone master tapes. I've still yet to hear the original Commercial zone as in, the white cover with the embossed PiL logo. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and find a copy.

[@williamr3840]

An intelligent interviewer who has actually taken the time to research his interviewees! :0)

[@edwintorres7397]

What's with the camera refusing to include Keith when he's talking...how frustrating. Yet very PIL...to stare at John's boiling intensity while the world goes on around him. One of the most honest and brilliant minds on culture's truth and belonging that we've had, from the very beginning.

[@Neurogami]

Nice how the camera stays on Lydon even when Keith is speaking. :) Funny, too, to hear MTV considered a music channel. Once upon a time ...

[@sexobscura]

MUSIC television

[@gv-can4718]

Watching John daydream about thinking back when performing, and video - which in 1980 he was all for - but then realised how it would affect music. Profound!!

[@JustK009]

J.J. Jackson = Legend

[@katoness]

Its the early days and they respect the interviewer. Great insight.

[@saraenneking4652]

Great interview

[@dbomdnb]

Excellent interviewer.

[@MrDoremouse]

Poor J.J.Jackson. Like getting blood out of a couple of stones. No, they were very co-operative compared to some interviews I've seen. Friendly even !

[@matthatter2849]

Gee, people think this was BAD interview with Johnny? Gee, I guess some of you haven't seen the one with Tom Synder two years earlier. Now THAT'S one where you'll want to punch Johnny in the face. He's being quite respectful here.

[@Xcorgi]

I think the only other person that goes out of their way to make an interviewer feel as awkward as John Lydon would be Morrissey. They come from two totally diffrent styles of music but niether really like to answer anymore than half of the questions they are asked. Even so, they are still entertaining to listen to.

[@johnegan7552]

Thats how the Irish any question

[@sexobscura]

It's because they're both extremely thoughtful and intelligent people

[@mikesilva5085]

“They cast their versions over everyone” . Lydon’s comment on UK’s journalists.

[@creativeed6788]

And now that has infected the whole world. Political journalism has become activism and propaganda for journalists to spread their own political views and control the "truth", and unpolitical journalists are vultures who will gladly record corpses and the misery of other people for more audiences and a quick buck. I absolute detest what journalism has become.

[@susanamartins7454]

It's almost an eggcorn for "cast aspersions on everyone."

[@alistairmcgovern9030]

Is Lyndon a new band member? Well corrected Mike Silva Lydon is correct.

[@mikesilva5085]

@@alistairmcgovern9030 sorry my spelling 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Midnightwhiskeymassacre]

Yep. Journo scum. Leopards dont change their spots do they

[@adammontre7944]

John is every interviewers nightmare!

[@riffattack7443]

@Sissy Davis Bob Dylan 2

[@ericaward702]

Not JJ’s

[@backdoor68]

up until the mid 80's or even later it was quite common to see, on the tv and beyond ...

[@mrjones1917]

really informative interview. great to see some though provoking questions asked. this was indeed a great line up of pil with half of 'brian brain'. they seem really happy together and i wonder why keith was suddenly sacked. i bought the other 'c. zone' in vancouver (levene's version), upon release.

[@djgforce11]

& shortly after this Keith & Johnny would part ways.

[@hellion7514]

And speaking of things that have changed in thirty years, it's amazing that this was an interview on MTV of all channels. The points JJ Jackson makes to defend/promote MTV are light years from its 2012 incarnation of Snookie and teen moms. Imagine! A long interview with musicians about music! On Music Television!

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

It shouldn’t still be called music television or MTV.

[@hellion7514]

@@Eleventhearlofmars Is it still on the air?!

[@YouKnowWhereYouWentWrong]

JJ was the heart and soul of MTV from 1981 to when they kicked him to the curb. He was shat on.

[@Serum462]

Imagine having these guys in a tent.

[@PostPunkFan]

Excellent interviewer. Did his research.

[@conorhealy5169]

John is being very sweet in this interview 😎

[@SuperG-bb8le]

jj jackson for president

[@liverneck2001]

I believe JJ Jackson used to be on WBCN in boston at one time....

[@rhostatton8944]

back when MTV was fresh & vital!

[@spurtfather]

John: "I'm acting now." JJ: "So am I." Keith: "I'm not."

[@Pagaugezero]

John usually acts much like Andy Kaufman would act. He would be the Johnny Rotten character. The interviewers didn’t know what to do.

[@surfboardjoker6299]

my left ear is going to kill itself. It just wants love

[@Captain_Rhodes]

i love commercial zone. would have been great if they stayed together

[@sexobscura]

It is great Better than the 'official' release

[@rajnos]

Brilliant

[@stuartmorris6299]

"How is it better?" "Well..it's one more isn't it" Spinal Tap answer

[@kaewonf8]

JJ has half a point: MTV didn't DIRECTLY control the content of videos that got made and submitted for broadcast. But it certainly controlled what got broadcast, and thereby indirectly affected how videos were conceived, produced and marketed. Hence Lydon's subsequent "we had such high hopes," remark, which was at least half in jest. In 1982 MTV had already lost any "independent" cred it may have had.

[@escaton74]

Around 10:50 Lydon seems to be fantasizing about peeling the skin off Jackson's face. Just for the fun of it. He's holding himself back though while realizing JJ has a point there.

[@shaunigothictv1003]

Hilarious observation and absolutely true!

[@sexobscura]

I think he wants to do that to EVERYONE

[@sithspitdanikan4725]

He looks like he almost couldn't resist the urge

[@nojabjonny]

spot on Johnny, "If you want something done PROPERLY, do it yaself".. You can't trust anybody to promote without having their own agenda.

[@jocksilver7]

I did the following experiment - sped up the reeling to 1,5x and then search for clarity and understandable articulation throughout the speed marathon (no pun...). Now, JJJ and Kiff, as any person in a friendly, laidback or at least short-of-tension TV chat, tend sometimes to ''eat'' some words or consonants and vowels out of them, so that is why when the process is sped up, it turns even more evident. When Lydon speaks, the acceleration is there but the end result is quite amazing. I'd love to hear your conclusion.

[@davidellis5141]

Taped for Broadcast.

[@niktusacid]

PIL pop era with j.mcgeoch was incredible

[@squirrelarch]

Is it just me or does Keith Levene often sound like a young Bowie at times in this interview?

[@glenmiles6279]

It’s just you.

[@willdenham]

The only band that I've seen actually change the tables and start interviewing the interviewer.

[@fretboardmaster70]

The early days of MTV. When it was all about music ….even if some people disagreed.

[@bluestate69]

the thing i come away with, is that jj jackson was one hip dude.

[@martysmith5260]

I like interviewers better when they don't affect a "voice." Just having a conversation, in a conversational tone of voice - that seems so less phony.

[@neavewalker1043]

If you watch john close enough you see he doesnt fucking blink for long periods of time... I find it very unsettling

[@Wicked_R]

Imagine if the views on smoking in the 80s had of been the same as today...

[@ronpaul2008rocks]

One constant thing about Lydon: he thinks that the everything is wrong. Lots of things are wrong, but not everything.

[@adrianboyddodd8007]

John Lydon proved in this interview that he will be nice to you if you are nice to him. So many in the past have interviewed him with their minds made up and can't list because of it.

[@oliviertruchon5648]

Really surprising to see a band like PIL being on MTV as this band is generally experimental and close to bands like Van Der Graff Generator, Can, Neu, Faust and Captain Beefheart than the usual rock bands MTV has in those days.

[@matthewmaurysmith2486]

Yeah you definitely figure out later that John Lydon is just a really good guy deep down and a true artist and totally respectable and dedicated to his cause. If you want to find something about him to bitch about then go for it because everybody has something. But I love this guy. However, the interviews he and Keith would do around this time, voting may be the most Innovative music I've ever heard young guys like this make, were just so combative and a lot like watching a car wreck. Not really enjoyable but you couldn't take your eyes off. So it's really cool to see this , where this laid-back interviewer, who's straight up for real and gives a crap, meets John on his level and John is digging it. I dig this!!!!

[@navyseals9971]

After Keith Left PIL wasn't pil.

[@etherealcatholic5711]

Agree

[@kidsundance3970]

Man the smoke

[@Magspiper]

[@IvanPavlov999]

10:45 John doesn't believe a single word he's hearing :)

[@sexobscura]

well, he is deaf, after all

[@sithspitdanikan4725]

He knew he had a decent point, that's why he looked like he was gonna flay him and feed him to his wife lol

[@malialaguisa4797]

He says some suprisingly deep things sometimes

[@ZINCOVIX8754]

And the Oscar goes to MR.John Lydon.It really does seem to be a front he is putting on.

[@MrJampot64]

I agree. He always seems to be acting out this fuck you attitude. It pisses me off. I want to listen to what he say's and I agree with him on some points. I just wish he would chill out and be himself , he would be more interesting. He is making himself anxious and uncomfortable by being this way. It was ok back in 76/77 but people are getting fed up with it now. Stop this attitude nonsense John.

[@thureintun1687]

Only interviewer who can make John under control

[@thureintun1687]

There three of them become like friends talking in a cafe

[@PunkSk8erGirl1]

people are scared to interview jonh lydon xD

[@bluebanistergirl]

AngelaJoe Armstrong who wouldn't be scared?!? 😂 look at those eyes damn

[@bluebanistergirl]

@Brent F But infact no one is ignoring reality. Who has ears to hear,...hear it ........ No fear or intimidation. Maybe we know each other more than you want me to believe otherwise

[@eliaol4231]

@@bluebanistergirl what with his eyes ?

[@keith-leecastle6700]

I love John in every form...PIL, Pistols...But I have to say...not the best looking man...His wardrobe was always immaculate...No people telling him what to wear etc...A true hero for me.

[@hellion7514]

Like Tulsa, OK... or MIAMI? I've never heard those two cities mentioned in the same breath before. Miami sure is a different town now than it was thirty years ago, I suppose.

[@hummingbird830]

@hiddenfire65 You only have to listen to the poptones riff to realise how great levene was/is.

[@kevinharkens3529]

They always[ the interviwers] always laugh. nerves I spose.