“When I first heard that the Sex Pistols were touring this year without me it pissed me off. It annoyed me,” Lydon said. “I just thought, ‘They’re absolutely going to kill all that was good with the Pistols by eliminating the point and the purpose of it all.’”

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Lydon went on to call the tour a “karaoke” act, suggesting the lineup were trivialising the Pistols’ history. “They’re trying to trivialise the whole show to get away with karaoke, but in the long term, I think you’ll see who has the value and who doesn’t,” he said. He also added, “I’ve never sold my soul to make a dollar. It’s the Catholic in me – that guilt I don’t want to trip.”

Lydon hasn’t performed with his former band since 2008, but tensions between the two ignited again in 2022 over the release of Danny Boyle’s miniseries, ‘Pistol’, based on a memoir from guitarist Steve Jones. Lydon had no involvement or input on the series, and criticised the historical accuracy of events within. Jones responded to the singer, telling him to “grow up and move on,” and explaining that it was based on his experiences, not Lydon’s.

The current lineup of the band first played together at a gig at London’s Bush Hall, where they were raising funds for the iconic venue. Lydon questioned their motives, suggesting that it wasn’t an entirely altruistic endeavour. A source quoted by The Sun suggested that the shows were also meant to send a message to Lydon. “These Pistols gigs aren’t just for charity, they’re to show Rotten how rotten they think he’s been to the rest of the band over the years,” the source said. “Rotten thinks he IS the Pistols, but these gigs will show they don’t need him anymore.” Lydon reportedly dismissed the reunion as “b****cks.”

Reactions to the PiL frontman’s latest comments have been mixed, with one X user calling him a hypocrite, claiming that Lydon initiated previous reunion tours. Underneath the same post, another X user compared the shows to Queen touring without Freddie Mercury.

Poor Johnny Forgotten.
Always moaning and moaning. Phone your orange friend TRUMP and ask if you can cry on his shoulder.

YOU started the KARAOKE thing with those SEX PISTOLS reunion tours back then. Hey, @lydonofficial once a HYPOCRITE, always a HYPOCRITE. pic.twitter.com/HyITkEz4jX

— TURN UP THE VOLUME (BLOG) (@TurnUpBlog) February 19, 2025

Controversy is nothing new to the band, and the current feud hasn’t affected sales for their upcoming show at the Royal Albert Hall. Raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the show is effectively sold out, with only resale tickets available on Ticketmaster. Beyond that performance, the Pistols will also play at Download Festival, Glasgow Summer Sessions, and various international dates, taking them across Europe, with stops in Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil too.

Whether the band still has that spark that ignited the UK punk explosion in the 70s or not, their upcoming shows will be a chance to see one of the most influential bands of the last 50 years. Meanwhile, Lydon will be taking PiL around the festival circuit this summer too.

John Lydon has distanced himself from the Sex Pistols following reports of a deal, citing accusations that they were trying to profit off the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This statement was issued by Public Image Ltd on their Twitter feed on John Lyndons behalf.

John wrote the lyrics to this historical song, and while he has never supported the monarchy, he feels that the family deserves some respect in this difficult time, as would be expected for any other person or family when someone close to them has died.

— Public Image Ltd (@pilofficial) September 15, 2022

The agreement with BMG includes key singles from the album Never mind The Bollocks including “Anarchy In The UK”, “God Save The Queen” and “Pretty Vacant”. Their 1977 single “God Save the Queen” was banned by the BBC in the UK and appeared at No. 2 on the Official Singles chart, leading to accusations that the song was purposely kept off the top spot. For the only time in chart history, the track was listed as a blank, to avoid offence to the establishment. Along with retailers such as Woolworths and WHSmith refusing to stock the single.

The company’s VP in music publishing, Michael Howe, added, “Steve, Paul, and Sid’s works with Sex Pistols are among the most important cultural and creative music of the last half-century. “Their impact on society and the performing arts is orders of magnitude greater than the group’s incredibly brief lifespan and recorded output would suggest. The band’s influence resonates as deeply today as it did in 1977.” During this interview Steve Jones added, “Where’s my money?!”

The Sex Pistols may have only had two years of active performance, yet the impact they had on music and culture is tremendous and everlasting. This point is exceptionally highlighted by their seminal 1977 debut record album Never Mind the Bollocks, which is indisputably considered one of the most exhilarating and influential albums in punk rock music history.

In a recent statement BMG said “Sex Pistols are among the most important and recognisable rock bands in history, and their legacy is felt across fashion, art and society.”

To purchase the album Never Mind the Bollocks click here.

What an honour to be inducted into the Camden Walk of Fame. Thanks to @carlbarat78 and @garycrowleyonair and everyone who came down to celebrate. #buzzcocks pic.twitter.com/wJzoCe7391

— Buzzcocks (@Buzzcocks) September 10, 2023

Buzzcocks, officially inducted into the Camden Walk of Fame on 8th September along with The Kinks, join other musical luminaries to achieve the accolade such as David Bowie, The Who, Amy Winehouse and Madness. The honour comes in recognition of the band’s considerable impact upon the music scene, both within the UK and beyond.

The group was further acclaimed and commended for their influence by fellow stars of the rock world, Liam Gallagher and Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. Both artists highlighted the importance of Buzzcocks and their ability to churn out hit songs while being true to the punk epithet of making it big through DIY.

Gallagher said, with good-natured tongue in cheek, “congratulations to Steve Diggle and The Buzzcocks for their inauguration in the Camden Walk of Fame. Love The Buzzcocks, second greatest band to come out of Manchester!”

Cook added, “The Buzzcocks booked the Sex Pistols’ first show in Manchester telling us we would be hearing about their band very soon and it wasn’t long before the world was bombarded with hit after hit of unique pure punk power pop energy. So a big thanks to Steve and the boys for putting a smile on our faces. A well deserved star on the Camden Walk of Fame.”

Great two days in Camden thanks everybody we met ! Sonics in the soul ! Onwards and upwards! pic.twitter.com/bnNkXJ8EtW — STEVE DIGGLE (@steveediggle) September 9, 2023

Buzzcocks celebrated their achievement by performing a set at the Camden Music Festival on 9th September and have announced that they will be playing a special one night show at Camden’s KOKO on 22, March next year. The band divulged that they will be playing their hit album, Singles Going Steady in full along with a selection of fan favourites. The band is also set to release a 45th anniversary edition of the album next year.

Tix on sale now for our @KOKOLondon show celebrating 45 years of Singles Going Steady. @Dominorecordco @steveediggle https://t.co/pfWoy0sCOg

— Buzzcocks (@Buzzcocks) August 30, 2023

Buzzcocks were formed in Bolton in 1976 by singer/guitarist Pete Shelley and singer Howard Devoto. The band went on to release three albums and a compilation of their hit singles which formed Singles Going Steady. The band broke up in 1981 following disagreements with their record label United Artists.

The band reunited in 1989 and went on to record six more albums before Shelley’s passing in 2018 however, the band has remained active with Steve Diggle (bass) taking over vocal and guitar duties. Buzzcocks released Sonics In The Soul, their 10th studio effort in 2022 and have stated they are currently in production of a follow up studio recording.

The 45th anniversary performance at KOKO tickets can be purchased here. Tickets for Buzzcock’s tour can be found here.

Buzzcocks Tour:

26/11/2023 – The Academy – Dublin
28/11 – Cyprus Avenue – Cork
01/12 – Salamandra – L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
02/12 – Shoko Madrid – Madrid, Spain
22/03/2024 – KOKO – London
27/04 – O2 Academy – Glasgow
01/06 – Manchester Academy – Manchester