John Lydon, better known by his increasingly justified moniker “Johnny Rotten” has been involved in an altercation involving Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis and The Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson.
The fight was instigated after Okereke who sustained facial bruising and a split lip inquired into the possible reunion of Lydon’s other (and in my opinion much better) band PiL.
The Guardian reports: “Kele was then set upon by three members of Lydon’s crew who punched him in the face and head as well as attacking people who tried to protect Kele from the assault including Yannis Philippakis from Foals and Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson. The incident was broken up by festival security and was later reported to Spanish police. Kele also reported the incident to police in the UK after returning from Spain.”
Kele went on state: “It’s not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack, It is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily. Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes.” He added: “I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot.”
Lydon has responded by offering a different version of events: “I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening…trouble was brought us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security…If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into.”
He went on to say: “We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow.”
What an abomination that the skinny indie frontmen of today can’t even throw down against Johnny Rotten who must be surely reaching 90 years of age by now…
