Johnny Rotten lost a step-daughter today--Ari Up of the Slits, who was 48

[BurtWorm]

I didn't know that John Lydon, who is 55-ish and roughly his step-daughter's contemporary in age and as a punk rock pioneer, was married, let alone married to one of his peer's mothers. I don't think he'll read this, but I wish him and his wife Nora my condolences and peace. And to all the Slits family. She was an original who'll be deeply missed.

Lydon is good bloke, with great democratic, anti-authoritarian values. I was just reading about him on Wikipedia to learn more about this relationship and I saw this beautifully stated anti-apology for appearing in Israel this summer, when most musicians were (I thought admirably) boycotting the country because of the settlements. But here is John Lydon being John Lydon--and thank you, universe, for making someone like him. We need more:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lydon

Lydon played with Public Image Ltd in Tel Aviv, Israel in August 2010. He refused to accept calls for him not to go to Israel.
“ I really resent the presumption that I'm going there to play to right-wing Nazi Jews. If Elvis-fucking-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he's suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated. ”



Lydon has also commented:
“ I will play to the people. I don't play to the Government of anything... I'm playing to human beings, and to deny me that right and turn music into some kind of political joystick is quite repulsive to me, and really, really wrong. And hello, Arab countries, you ain't inviting me. I've got no prejudices playing both sides of those borders. Of course, there are all sorts of terrible politics going on down there but there is just about all over the world. You cannot separate yourself from your audience because of the political powers-that-be. I mean, I'm anti-government—I have been all my life no matter where I go—and I shall be making that loud and clearly proud once I'm in Israel. We've received a lot of hate mail, as it happens, going to Israel is some kind of political faux pas. I say, 'Don't be so ignorant — it's John speaking here and I'm going there to cause trouble and I will do it musically.

[FSogol]

1. Sad. I always liked The Slits. n/t

[Scurrilous]

2. I like Johnny Rotten...

..but the line "...Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated.." is pure bollocks.

[BurtWorm]

3. Ok, so that part was a bit bollocksy...

I sort of know what he means, but it's not exactly fair to blame the Arab people for the lack of democracy, anymore than it's fair to withhold music from Israeli fans for the actions of their governments.

[BurtWorm]

4. Kick.

[jonnyblitz]

5. I saw PIL in the 80's at the Metro (later to become Avalon) in

Boston while on leave when I was in the navy. Great show! I wasn't aware of "the Slits" connection though.

[BurtWorm]

6. I saw them at the Orpheum in about 1979-1980--with levene and wobble

I was a little under the weather and had to sit for half of it, but it was rockin'. Everyone (but me) was standing on the chairs. Wow was it hot in there!

I was also ignorant of the Slits connection. Amazing isn't it?