John Lydon: A punk festival involving Boris Johnson is a rotten idea

The singer believes Johnson's involvement is an affront to punk’s ethos
Fiasco: John Lydon said he wasn't asked to participate
Dave Benett
Alistair Foster20 June 2016
The Weekender

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Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon has branded a year-long punk festival taking place in London a “fiasco” and called the involvement of former mayor Boris Johnson “deeply hilarious”.

Punk London is a series of events marking the 40th anniversary of the music movement and has received support from the office of the Mayor — Boris Johnson was in post when it launched — the BFI and the British Fashion Council.

It includes an exhibition at the British Library, live shows at The Roundhouse and screenings at the BFI Southbank.

But Lydon, 60, formerly known as Johnny Rotten, believes it is an affront to punk’s ethos.

He said: “Apparently, it’s something to do with Boris Johnson, which is deeply hilarious. I think it’s a sideshow. It’s merely part and parcel of that cottage industry trying to misrepresent things for their own vested interest. None of these people even bothered speaking to me, and now I’m asked to comment on what is truly a fiasco.”

He added that punk “certainly doesn’t need to be moved into museums or aggrandised”.

Lydon, pictured, also disagreed with the recent decision to list the Sex Pistols’ former studio in Denmark Street where he scrawled graffiti on the walls. He told Bath Life magazine: “Well, it’s two rooms, one without windows, and no indoor toilet. How sensationally listed should that place be? Slightly ludicrous really.

“A few Johnny scratchings on the wall I would think is inconsequential.”

Punks - in pictures

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