Should John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) be recognised by the Irish People/Government

Sikpupi · 18-01-2014 01:41AM #1

Have always had a respect for John Lydon / Johnny Rotten and wonder should he recognised as in an 'Irish' context and given an acknowledgement that he has promoted the Irish world-wide.

We as a country are trying to hitch our star to Tom Cruise & Obama.... but John is 2nd generation Irish that has done well and in effect has changed the world! He has never denied his roots.

Shane McGowan is another that would fall into same category.

But to see Jeremy Irons being made an honorary Corkman - surely would mean that John should be welcomed into the fold of 'famous Irishmen' who have contributed to promoting the Irish worldwide.

.... discuss!!

Gmol · 18-01-2014 01:42AM

No because he's a twat

Sir Arthur Daley · 18-01-2014 01:42AM

I knew a father clint power once?

wazky · 18-01-2014 01:44AM

I hate this crap, latching onto anyone and everyone with the even remotest connection to Ireland.

Plenty of actual Irish people who deserve recognition not just ones who tell us they like having the 'crack and begoragh' to win over a few thickos and sell the odd book.

Sikpupi · 18-01-2014 01:45AM

No because he's a twat

Well that doesn't disqualify him. We have plenty of full-blooded Twats in the country...

Sikpupi · 18-01-2014 01:47AM

I hate this crap, latching onto anyone and everyone with the even remotest
connection to Ireland.

Agree.... but its happening anyway and you and I won' t change that

Frankie Lee · 18-01-2014 01:49AM

http://thequietus.com/articles/05099-pil-public-image-limited-electric-picnic-john-lydon-irish

A good read.

To the son of Irish immigrants, the incident felt like rejection by his homeland. He recounted the events again bitterly in an Irish Times interview earlier this year: “I went to a pub and the barman wouldn’t serve me. Words were exchanged and the police were called. I was arrested for attacking a policeman’s fist with my face and thrown in Mountjoy for the night. Some homecoming. The police and the screws made a big deal out of me, they tried to shatter my morale – well, good luck on that one.”

JohnFalstaff · 18-01-2014 01:52AM

There was a great documentary about Lydon on TG4 recently. It was part of a series about second generation Irish musicians that grew up in England - Oasis, Morrissey/Marr also featured.

Lydon was interviewed and spoke about his sense of identity as being both Irish and English.

We have an odd relationship with the second and third generation Irish in Britain and I'd agree with the OP that we haven't embraced their achievements to the same extent as their American counterparts.

The TG4 show was called Guth and is worth tracking down.

Mint Aero · 18-01-2014 01:53AM

Never heard of him, who's he?

humberklog · 18-01-2014 01:53AM

Sikpupi wrote: »

Agree.... but its happening anyway and you and I won' t change that

You agree you hate the crap of trying to latch the Irish badge onto famous people?

But you started this thread, how on earth...good grief.

Discuss that yourself.

marozz · 18-01-2014 01:55AM

I agree, but I cant visualise John Lydon standing there, shaking hands with some minister presenting him with an honorary Irish citizen certificate. I don't think he could be arsed, though it would be nice to see.

kumate_champ07 · 18-01-2014 01:56AM

thats the guy from the butter ad?

Ruu · 18-01-2014 01:58AM

Too fond of the Union Jack trousers.

Sikpupi · 18-01-2014 01:58AM

But you started this thread, how on earth...good grief.

Discuss that yourself.

........calm the passion!!! throwing it open to the audience..as I said !!

No obligation to participate....

JohnFalstaff · 18-01-2014 01:58AM

wazky wrote: »

I hate this crap, latching onto anyone and everyone with the even remotest connection to Ireland.

In Lydon's case he sees himself as partly Irish. Instead of latching onto him, he feels rejected by this country.

ArrahShure · 18-01-2014 02:00AM

wazky · 18-01-2014 02:03AM

JohnFalstaff wrote: »

In Lydon's case he sees himself as partly Irish. Instead of latching onto him, he feels rejected by this country.

Rejected? What utter bollocks, he is English by birth and if he wants to play the Irish card when it suits him then fire away but pulling a prodigal son routine isn't endearing at all.

I would call myself a Pistols/Lydon/PiL fan by the way.

anncoates · 18-01-2014 02:07AM

I admire him and loved PIL. I wouldn't say he's actually unlinked to Ireland. He's first generation Irish and has always been very cognizant of his heritage. Think he might have even had an Irish passport. before.

That said, I'd like to assume he'd probably hate the diffusion of his Anglo-Irish heritage being turned into some corny national claim for nationalist purposes.

JohnFalstaff · 18-01-2014 02:09AM

wazky wrote: »

Rejected? What utter bollocks, he is English by birth and if he wants to play the Irish card when it suits him then fire away but pulling a prodigal son routine isn't endearing at all.

I would call myself a Pistols/Lydon/PiL fan by the way.

As a fan you'd know his autobiography: 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish'. Lots in there about his relationship with this country.

The Diabolical Monocle · 18-01-2014 02:13AM

an I waannna beeee

A paaaady

KungPao · 18-01-2014 02:22AM

ArrahShure wrote: »

Used to love that song as an early adolescent, then later, when I discovered Punk and the Pistols, realised who the singer was.

Such a unique voice. Love it.

thebaz · 18-01-2014 02:24AM

well hopefully we treat him a little better than the first time he came over after the Sex Pistols - he was thrown into Mountjoy , for some petty misdeameanor - by our so-called moralistic society back them - 1981 , i think - thankfully , we have, slowly, progressed since then.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 18-01-2014 02:27AM

His autobiography is called 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs.' In reference to the boarding house signs in 50s/60s London where he grew up. He says in the book that he did get hassle for being 2nd generation Irish.

Sikpupi · 18-01-2014 02:36AM

You have to hand it to him - he was instrumental in changing the music industry as we know it and in liberating the youth of today.

The media go on about Bono and what a great musician he is... but he hasn't has the same impact on music as John Lydon has. But Bono will be given the Keys of the City!

DEFTLEFTHAND · 18-01-2014 02:44AM

I always felt sorry for the way he got screwed by Malcolm McClaren when it came to the Sex Pistols. He made next to no money out of it at the time, the whole thing cumulated in him being left stranded without a bob in LA in 1978 after the SP US tour imploded after a week and the band broke up.

There was talent there apart from Sid Vicious obviously who never even learnt how to play the bass guitar, a roadie would play behind the curtain at live gigs. Glen Matlock the original bassist was very badly treated. They were all young foolish pups and they got taken for a ride.

anncoates · 18-01-2014 02:46AM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

His autobiography is called 'No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs.' In reference to the boarding house signs in 50s/60s London where he grew up. He says in the book that he did get hassle for being 2nd generation Irish.

He's 1st generation. Both his parents are Irish.

WilyCoyote · 18-01-2014 02:46AM

A few years back the good burghers of Tipp rejected a plaque to Boy George due to his sexual orientation so I hope Lyden passes the rigorous test

anncoates · 18-01-2014 02:49AM

WilyCoyote wrote: »

A few years back the good burghers of Tipp rejected a plaque to Boy George due to his sexual orientation so I hope Lyden passes the rigorous test

Yet they love Lowry.

The mind boggles.