John Lydon : stories of Johnny : a compendium of thoughts on the icon of an era

A set of stand-alone essays written by the cream of rock music's commentators—among them Rob Johnstone, Clinton Heylin, Legs McNeill, Greil Marcus, Kris Needs, Judy Nylon, Alan Clayson, and Nigel Williamson—this work could well be the final word on the symbol of 1970 punk they once called "Rotten." Love him or hate him, 30 years after the release of the Sex Pistols' first record, John Lydon—the man who was the focal point of the British punk movement—is impossible to ignore when discussing the history of rock. Was the Sex Pistols' album Never Mind the Bollocks the one true masterpiece of punk's first wave? How did the Pistols influence American punk? How does Lydon's post-Pistols work in PIL compare in influence and artistry? Contributors delve into these questions and more in this fitting tribute to an underdog who went on to become an antihero to millions. Annotation Love him or hate him, when it comes to the man they once called 'Rotten', what you can't do is ignore him. And with two big anniversaries in 2006 [in November it's 30 years since the release of the Sex Pistols' first record and of punk in general going overground - and Johnny Lydon's 50th was celebrated in January], there won't be much chance of avoiding him at all this year. Because 12 months of commemorative programmes, films, books, magazine special editions, articles and all manner of other media events is already underway and is set to reach fever pitch this autumn. With all this in mind, there couldn't be a better time to explore exactly what it was John Lydon did, thought and achieved; that which made him the focal point of the whole British punk movement. The book further explores what his post Pistols / Punk career meant; was he simply riding on the back of his punk credentials, or was the man blessed with a special talent which allowed him to achieve far, far more than any other individual musician or performer to come out of Punk's first wave way back in 1976. Not a traditional biography as such, John Lydon - Stories of Johnny - A Compendium of Thoughts on the Icon of an Era contains a series of stand alone essays written by the cream of rock music's writers and commentators. A book which can be either dipped in and out of or read cover to cover, and which both tells the man's story and gets behind what he was - and indeed is - all really about; this work could well be the final word on Lydon and a fitting tribute to an underdog of sorts who became the anti-hero to millions

a Set Of Stand-alone Essays Written By The Cream Of Rock Music's Commentators—among Them Rob Johnstone, Clinton Heylin, Legs Mcneill, Judy Nylon, And Nigel Williamson—this Work Could Well Be The Final Word On The Symbol Of 1970s Punk They Once Called Rotten. Love Him Or Hate Him, 30 Years After The Release Of The Sex Pistols' First Record, John Lydon—the Man Who Was The Focal Point Of The British Punk Movement—is Impossible To Ignore When Discussing The History Of Rock. was The Sex Pistols' Album Never Mind The Bollocks the One True Masterpiece Of Punk's First Wave? How Did The Pistols Influence American Punk? How Does Lydon's Post-pistols Work In Pil Compare In Influence And Artistry? Contributors Delve Into These Questions And More In This Fitting Tribute To An Underdog Who Went On To Become An Antihero To Millions.

"Few artists of the rock age have had an influence on music and culture as far-reaching and dynamic as that of John Lydon - a.k.a. Johnny Rotten. Stories Of Johnny brings together a panel of experts, each offering their thoughts on the man who changed music forever." "With a line-up of authors that includes: Greil Marcus, Kris Needs, Legs McNeil, Pat Gilbert, Clinton Heylin, Judy Nylon, Nigel Williamson, Barb Jungr, Alan Clayson." "This book takes a new look at a fascinating and enduring subject, and his life in music, television, and, God forbid, as a bona fide celebrity. From the day in 1975 he joined the Sex Pistols to the day in 2006 he refused to join the rock & roll hall of fame, all eras of John Lydon's career are here covered, commented on and dissected by some of the world's finest rock writers. Book jacket."--Jacket Contents......Page 8 A Foreword......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1. The Ballroom Blitz: From New York To Baghdad......Page 30 2. Glorious Rage: The Look And The Sound Of The Voice......Page 42 3. Idiot Dancing: 30 Years Out On The Floor......Page 56 4. Build Me Up Buttercup: Rotten Rubrics & Pistol Prototypes......Page 106 5. In With The In Crowd: The View From Under The Floorboards......Page 128 6. Into The Mystic: When Johnny Met Tommy Interview......Page 154 7. No More Mr Nice Guy: The Brand New Us And Them......Page 164 8. Goodbye And Hello: Holding Court In Troubled Times......Page 186 9. The Wrecking Ball: Public Image Limited 1978-83......Page 210 10. Time Loves A Hero: The Fury Returns......Page 278 11. Stir It Up: Thoughts From A Mind Less Ordinary 50 Quotes......Page 302 Afterword......Page 310 Om John Lydon, bedre kendt som Johnny Rotten fra punkgruppen Sex Pistols, og hans karriere fra 1975 til i dag