John Lydon

Date of Birth: January 31, 1956

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

John Lydon, born John Joseph Lydon on January 31, 1956, in Holloway, London, England, is an influential musician and songwriter best known for his role as the lead vocalist of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. He later fronted the post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL). Lydon’s distinctive vocal style and confrontational stage presence made him a central figure in the punk movement of the 1970s. Known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, he became an iconic symbol of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment. Lydon’s early life was marked by poverty and illness; he suffered from spinal meningitis at the age of seven, which caused severe memory loss and left him with a permanent spinal curvature. These hardships shaped his worldview and fueled his later artistic output. In 1975, Lydon joined the Sex Pistols, and their rise to fame was meteoric. Their 1977 single “God Save the Queen,” which criticized the British monarchy, was banned by the BBC but still reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. Despite their short-lived career, the Sex Pistols left an enduring legacy in the music world. After the Sex Pistols disbanded in 1978, Lydon formed Public Image Ltd, which was more experimental and eclectic compared to the raw aggression of the Sex Pistols. PiL produced several critically acclaimed albums, including “Metal Box” and “Album.” Lydon has also ventured into other media, including writing books and appearing on television. His autobiography, “Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs,” provides a candid look at his life and career. He continues to be a vocal and sometimes controversial figure in both music and public discourse.

5 Interesting Facts about John Lydon

1. John Lydon was nicknamed “Johnny Rotten” due to his poor dental hygiene during the early days of the Sex Pistols.

2. He became a U.S. citizen in 2013.

3. Lydon auditioned for the Sex Pistols by miming to Alice Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen” on a jukebox while wearing a Pink Floyd T-shirt with the words “I Hate” written above the band’s name.

4. He was offered an honorary doctorate by the University of Teesside in 1998 but turned it down.

5. Lydon once hosted a nature show called “John Lydon’s Megabugs” on the Discovery Channel.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Lydon

1. “Anger is an energy.”

2. “It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

3. “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?”

4. “I have no time for lies and fantasy, and neither should you. Enjoy or die.”

5. “The only honest thing about a man is his music.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by John Lydon is estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

John Lydon does not have any biological children. However, he has been a stepfather to Ari Up’s (of The Slits) twin sons since she passed away in 2010. Ari Up was the daughter of Lydon’s wife, Nora Forster.