He's a good man. Heather and Tracy are also good women. They are intelligent and it must be a pleasant surprise when you have done interviews for decades. With people asking the same tired questions.
I’ve seen John do so many interviews over the years & he HATES interviewers who don’t do their homework, don’t have good honest questions & generally think they are better than him. I have to say, this interview is one of those good ones where you can see John is enjoying himself, likes the questions & is on equal level with with Sway & the team who never ONCE belittle him or discuss the same old crappy questions he detests. THIS is how you interview someone like John Lydon who hates ignorance & stupidity. Hats off to Sway & the whole team, once again they deliver an interview that puts some of the major big ones to shame. #Respect
and the same for the other side. I think they were all a bit shocked when he dealt out the stories on Jamaica bambaata, and hip hop. and he didnt try to score brownie points. you could easily see it was part of his life. it made the entire room comfortable
@Tyler Mod You do not know Johnny Lydon at all. The last thing he is is a racist! He was brought up by Irish parents in a rough area equal to America's projects. We Irish were despised in Britain but we rebuilt that country after the second world war. They are now screaming for us to return as we've been replaced by Indian builders now look at the physique of the Irish vs the Indian. They don't have the stamina, nor the strength.
Hanora Brennan - Strange how your comment complains about him being a racist when he’s just having a civil conversation here, only to follow up with your own racist comments about Indians. Maybe try looking in the mirror? 🙄🤦🏻
He's nice here, only because the interviewers are black, that's a group he don't mess with because it will hurt his image if he does - which proves really - he's a phoney... phoney johhny rotten, head leader of the phoney pistols......
It was almost like John appreciated the aspect of a secularity he has strived to voice and the two souls seated next to another had a binary synergy that molds what Mr Lydon has stood for his entire being in his haminatariam skin. Yes, he you were relaxed John. He was not complacent but more rather complimented with like mindedness... I still do love my angst with myself and it's ways of breaking through to help others hearcwhat they are afraid to open their minds to. I have always believed that in order to create you have to abolish what obstacles your intuitive path. Truth and honestly Is not most humans path nor quest. Pure, unadulterated and uncut like the kind of dope that rained free that binds a mind and expands our defeats. Only, ONLY if we allow it. John does not allow allow others to chose his path for him. Rather he utilized their closed courses of repressions to gain freedom for more than just himself. Many just do not understand his point of view. They believe him to be a reckless abandon. They could not be more confused about their own accord... The saga lives in one life at a time and together we do make a whole...and together we also make a hole...between Earth's core to stratosphererical proportions we make it great or we don't based upon our gifts we bestow upon others less that we do ourselves. Humans can be quite selfish infact. So much at seems that we wouldn't feed our families the same food a homeless person is happy to find in the Cleaver's recyclables every week. Have a good day
Oooh there are LOTS of John being relaxed and reflective. He's a pussycat really behind the wild eyes. An emotional man especially when talking about the loss of family and friends. Keep looking. Once you enter the Lydon vortex on YT you'll learn a lot more about him!!
@Joe Sudz If John Lydon is the King of punk (which I don't believe he really sees himself as that, he's making fun of our preconceptions like he's always done) Then DEVO are the collective God Emperors of punk, and the unwilling inventors of, then infiltrators in, New Wave and synthpop.
@Joe Sudz Lol I'm not big into labels either but I need to use them so I don't go crazy. The Trump of your avatar reminds me of Booji Boy and of Art-devó's grittiest illustrations. Them Britts are masters of pre-packaged music (just look at the Yuuuge success of them Spicy Gurls) and not even the Sex Pistols could scape It no matter how they tried. I don't want to sound paranoid but, isn't it weird that just two years after DEVO's official formation in 1973, the Brittish came up with this? There's too much paranoia, hold the pickles!!!
@@kwynrhys you're fucking kidding?! Johnny Rotten is exactly what his nickname states.......... Rotten! he's a fucking tool, and a piece of shit who sides with Trump.
@@roycedevries8122 i knew at some point Trump would be mentioned... and with of an emotional outburst no doubt! I was waiting for that! Thank you. I think I'm psychic
No denial, no dishonesty, no fabrication. Whatever anyone calls the 'punk movement' it taught me to be honest at my own risk. Yes, I formed a band in the late 70's. Yes, I'm still alive.
Also why do these guys give this guy the title King of Punks? John Lydon thinks he is the only person in the world with an original genius idea. I love P.IL., but he had plenty of talent around him.
Current Bun Judge not, or let ye be judged Rambo! It could be a true accusation what you are saying, after all doesn’t everybody manipulate or get creative with the truth? It’s called intelligence and living. Also are we not all hypocrites to a certain degree? Or is there a perfect person who does no wrong at all and is absolutely consistent in every word and thing they say and do? Also what you are saying sounds a little like what the fella who murdered John Lennon said. The Bible calls the devil the accuser. The man who murdered Lennon said Lennon was a hypocrite as he sang about ‘imagine there’s no money, or possessions too..’ and he’s there in his mansion.. But in your right mind as we thankfully are, we can know that yes it’s ridiculous an artist can sing a song about certain things and say imagine this or that etc because that’s not what artists do is it? Be creative and make things, say things, produce art!!! It also means all artists have to 100% consistent in every move, word, thing etc they ever do, doesn’t it? I hope you’re getting the point. We are all what you said, truth manipulating hypocrites, to some degree. Are we not? I try not to be hypocritical but changing the truth is called life. Think about it
In the beginning, he was the most honest musician (songwriter, vocalist) besides Jim Morrison. However, I think when nowadays, Mr. Lydon slip when he thinks President Trump is like the Sex Pistols of pop/rock music. I see no connection but through media of low expectations of popular opinion. However, the British Media blocked the fact that Sex Pistols had either the number one album or single for a safer band (the LP actually made money) and influenced a globalization of what is known as "Punk Music." Whereas President Donald Trump came from privlage and wealth, and did not win the popular vote but the electoral vote. Quite the opposite of what the Sex Pistols came from: poverty and poor social status (the lead guitarist, Steve Jones, didn't know how read until well into his 40's). John Lydon is very smart, aka Johnny Rotten, but now is finally relaxed (in the past year has put on a large amount of weight) and lives with his wife that does have a certain amount of wealth (her daughter was the lead singer of the Slits). Sorry, too long for this reply.
That was fucking outstanding. For those who don't know the Sex Pistols story and their album it's hard to convey how important John is to our personal freedoms. Early punk wasn't pretty but sometimes it was Very Real. My respect for Sway and the gang just doubled.
Listen to the Sex Pistols, first. They only have one album, but it's considered one of, if not THE BEST, Punk album ever made. And then check out Public Image Ltd., the band John Lydon was in after the Pistols broke up. It's more experimental, dancey, arty Punk, and it's amazing. John is a legend.
@@estebanb7166 Meh, agree to disagree. I dunno how you feel about Pink Flag, London Calling, Marquee Moon and Raw Power, but in my opinion, those are the others if I made a top 5.
@@estebanb7166 Ramones self-titled, Remain in Light, Underwater Moonlight, Horses, Blank Generation and Parallel Lines as honorable mentions of course.
Johnny is the real OG. In today's world where we hear that "The community" is important not the individual People like him are so much more important than ever to teach young people that they are individuals & should always strive to stay individuals
@VVoOꟻF I actually forgot about this but........ when i was a youngin my mom always told me you can't fight ignorance just let em be and they were clearly ignorant as f@*k, hopefully through the years they've developed some type of smarts.
Greetings from Ireland y'all! This interview will be archived as a reference to the many-faceted interests of a rare individual called John Lydon. Proud to say he has Irish blood running through those veins of his 🇨🇮 🧠 Well done Sway, you've bagged the best interview.
Btv Afrika Bambaataa HIMSELF said Punks and hip hop fans were tearing the clubs and shit up together when hip hop started, and they bounced off each other a lot, their music both also had a lot of straight forward messages that dug deep.
hip hop is my current favourite genre. punk music was my obsession growing up. so to see them at anytime intertwining and showing love for one another i can't help but feel so happy real recognise real
Whatt I really like about him is that he never stop expressing his opinions, he is polite if you are polite and rough if he thinks you are trying to patronise him, but he will always say what he thinks, see the Jamaica comments. He is not afraid of backlash. We lack that in our society. We can disagree but they have to say it.
Oh god, John is so bloody interesting and his theories or beliefs on life are so grounded and sensible. Very few people on this planet get my interest and have me waiting so intently for their views. This guy is one of them. ✌
+bignimmo1971 what makes Lydon, such an essential artist, was that he has made great records, and he has made bad records, but he has never made the same record twice. I wish he would get back into the studio. John Lydon: entomologist.
Love that he right away put punk, techno and hip hop in the same sentence right off the bat. Listen to Sway's early music with King Tech, he knows. Very dope interview.. John is a stern dude with a short temper, but keeps it real af. Respect.
King of punks and a very clever guy. Won’t take shit of anyone and says what he thinks . A legend. Best punk band ever too . Pistols were great ! Keep going John there should be more like you ! Respect !
Aw, I love this bloke. I have been a fan for years. He really is a national treasure. I remember well his stint on “I’m a celebrity….”. It was only by watching this video that I found out he raised £250K for charities by doing that. Love live the Punk King.
Sway absolutely nailed that interview, and I loved the discussions about similarities between punk and hip-hop. There is a lot of similarities, even towards how they both took a big hit with cheap imitators. What an amazing interview. I can't believe I just found it.
Johnny has always been a class act - I got one of my little cousins into the Sex Pistols and PIL when she was about seven. And when we ran into him one day he was actually really sweet to her. Some famous musicians act like shit heads to everyone - even kids - but John was classy.
Kraftwerk. German group responsible for hiphop break beat "Trans Europe Express" who may have inspired Daft Punk. Great history for Punk, Hiphop and how it all falls into place. Please get Debbie Harry up in here. Everytime I think this show can't get any better, shit like this pops up and reminds me of what's really good.
i wouldn't call krautrock post-punk. i don't think of it as a real genre either. it's more like "music from germany" especially in from the late 60s to early 80s. can preceded punk by a good 10 years. tangerine dream, neu!, amon duul ii, ash ra tempel and faust were definitely before the pistols. i don't know where kraftwerk fits in the timeline of punk. but in krautrock, it was late krautrock & it none of the above are derivative of punk. the only cross-over between the pistols & hip hop i can come up with is malcom mclaren. that's mentioned here, but the double dutch/buffalo gals stuff came after lydon had quit the pistols and i think mclaren wasn't involved anymore as well. sounds like johnny was a fan or acquaintance of afrika bambaataa at least. and he rightly categorizes both hip hop & punk as being "diy" and "outsider" (not controlled by the music industry).
@@FishFullOfFeathers careful you're confusing the youngsters with your account of music history there. Krautrock wasn't post-punk, it was post-war!! John Lydon was a fan. The vocal performance on Side Two of the first album by Neu! released at the beginning of the 70s is worth a listen. You can hear shades of Hugh Cornwell (Stranglers) in it....and a touch of Johnny Rotten too! Kraftwerk made four or five albums before the style you're thinking of which fascinated the hip hop artists....The Man Machine 1978. But from late 60s to mid-seventies was actually the classic period of what we know as Krautrock. Punk was 76 at the earliest!!
Great show! And the fact John's still going and keeps the true sense of what 'punk' was about and still should be. If anything influenced hip-hop and new styles that blossomed through the 80's and 90's, it'd have to be PIL's Flowers Of Romance album. The most daring, brilliant, innovative work of the top 3 in the 20th century IMHO. When it comes to rhythms, lyrics, and inventive composing and production - it is the unsung influential album of all time.
Johnny Rotton was a legend in my mind as a young adolescent. I spent my high school years wanting to be just like him. Anarchy got me nothing but freedom got me everything. I wonder why he became an American Citizen.
He probably became a US citizen as an Irish Punk in the UK I'm sure he felt unmoored his whole life, from the UK in Ireland,Irishman in the UK, I bet he felt he could be more himself in America
The truest words ever spat by Johnny "Ever had the feeling you been cheated!?" He saw through their system & tried to imbue the world with that knowledge
Hated the Pistols when they first came out, I was still a Zep , Pink Floyd guy. Then the Clash came along and I changed my mind about Punk Rock. Now of course I Love John and the pistols. Not only that the man has been married to the same woman for 45 YEARS!! Rock on bro.
I’ve had so much respect for sway my whole life, completely unreal to finally find this interview... grew up on punk and all of Johnny rottens music...plenty of other bands to name... this is monumental in my mind... when did the lupe fiasco freestyle go down?? Haha I’ve played that on repeat SO many times! This is so dope, I love the respect, I love my humans.
Sway did a good job with this interview (no surprise). The coming together of hip hop from my generation and the punk rock that preceded it is natural. Listening to the Sex Pistols, Public Enemy, Dead Kennedys, and NWA all in the same day encapsulates my early teen years.
What a pleasure to observe such reason, understanding and perspective...in an atmosphere where mutual respect is alive and well and living in harmony as you have witnessed here 🙏
I've been saying the same thing for years Sway that Punk and Hip Hop are at the least cousins if not siblings. They came about at the same time in many of the same cities and are fighting against some the same things, but just different ways of getting the message out. A friend asked me about the concept of a Punk and Hip Hop collaboration and I said sure, it's a family reunion.
Sway always seemed genuine to me. I used to watch him (years ago) struggle on MTV doing those inane music news stories, he seemed like a "real" person that didn't belong with some of those ghouls. Glad to see him still going and this is a great interview.
met john in a pub in hastings (england) two years ago. i said, 'how are you john.' he said 'buy us a fucking pint and i'll tell you.' he was hilarious.
To some people John Lydon comes across as to some folk as a loudmouth iconoclast, etc, etc, ad nauseum, but he has always been true to himself and his art, and he's never deviated from his core beliefs. He is without doubt a diamond geezer.
Yeah man, have got so much respect for John Lydon my fave pistol and yeah PIL are an excellent force to be respected also. Great interview and will have to go purchase the book. Cheers!
Punk and Hip Hop have always been my favorites and they really do mirror each other in ways so well. Deltron 3030 to So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes!
Kendrick, J. Cole putting there lives on the line for Hip Hop????? What about Chuck D? What about KRS-One? What about Immortal Technique? They have been doing it for YEARS!!!
Yeah that whole moment was awkward. But I think they were being super polite/shocked in the face of Lydon’s somewhat clueless comment in the first place. Even king of the punks has more to learn. (And this is a fan talking.)
Fucking brilliant. You guys should bring in Jaz from Killing Joke. Tight with Lydon since childhood. KJ was and still is crucial to the consciousness awareness but goes unrecognized in broader genres. Jaz will bring enlightenment and insight you will definitely "be writing everything down". Thxs for the upload. 💘
Back in my day in Houston, TX there was a huge punk and specifically large skinhead scene. For whatever reason there was this seemingly universal theme going on. Reds were the conservative racist hate mongers who attacked anyone who was different, and they were called Hard Core; red Docs, red suspenders, red bandanas. The blues, or Straight Edge, were the anti racists more liberal to one extent group, but there was a weird subgroup of Straight Edge that demonized so much; their motto was "don't drink, don't smoke, don't fuck". They were often just as violent and intolerant in their own way, but they were still respected more than the Core. I've never heard of SHARP but now I'm going to have to look into the modern skinhead movements. I was a punk but not a skin, but I had a poignant experience. I started my senior hs year enrolled on the army's delayed entry GI bill program to be a combat engineer with airborne training, forts Benning and Leonardwood, had been at the same job since I was 15, no criminal record, never skipped school, was taking Latin, art, computer programming, chemistry, and physics, then one Saturday got a good and proper Mohawk. Within 3 days I was kicked out of my home, fired from my job, and told not to come back to school unless I conformed to conservative Texas standards. I enrolled myself into another school district the following year and graduated but have been telling conservatives to fuck off since.
Punk and reggae were both marginalized subcultures in America but became rather supportive of each other, which contributed to the Ska scene. While many people shave their heads for many reasons and may be called skinheads in general, the skinhead movements of the 80s at the peak of America's punk subculture were very distinctly sociopolitical. Fashion may become trendy, but that doesn't define a group. Having a Mohawk doesn't make me a member of the Mohawk tribe.
Ska and the skinhead movements both predate punk and reggae, and the 'original skins' as i've heard them called, were basically a working-class political movement composed of (i think?) british laborers, some time in the late 50s/early 60s, for whom the no.2 buzzcut (not bald heads, like most modern skins), suspenders and boots were much less fashion choices than common work attire. To get a good perspective on modern skinheads, check out the book 'american skin'. I forget the author's name, alex something, maybe... And the houston punk scene seemed to have few skins of the more modern type, as of 2012 or so, a fair few dressed in the old style, though. One thing i loved àbout the scene was that there was a lot of variety, from psychobilly (the ghost storys, among others) to skacore (molotov compromise! Whooo!!!) and so forth. Usually got to see 5 or 6 bands for a ten-spot, and everyone, bands and crowd alike, always greeted me like a long-lost brother.
I just finished his first book, and am looking forward to reading the new one. John is one of my favorite people now. I wonder if he ever talked to Frank Zappa?
Total honesty and a very broad perspective but he had this when he was a kid! And he held it and he holds it and if you call him on it he doesn't need anywhere to hide because he fucking lived it. I wish I had access to videos like this when I was much younger. Cheers, Mr. Lydon.
Awesome interview. Loved the Sex Pistols since I was a kid. Definitely loads of parallels between punk and hip-hop, especially in the early days. Cheers fellas
Never knew John had become a US Citizen. I do admire John, he has some great views and speaks his mind. I have also lost friends via Heroin, such a waste and there is no reasoning with them. Cheers John
Back in the day I was never a sex pistols/ John Lyndon fan. I watch and listen to John all these years later and I respect him for the honest human being he is 👍
You obviously don't know Sway's steez well. He plays unaware of a certain situation and presents a question so that he can get a vibrant answer out of a guest. Check Sway's interview with Russell Peters when he asks about Trevor Noah.
It is just enough to let John know you are really interested in what he says, not all the time interrupt - like most of reporters were doing. Indeed, he tells how the things are, nothing more. And by the way, one of the best quotes from some early interviews: "I try to impress myself".
Sway is an uncanny interviewer. He's so genuine, so respectful, and still manages to get the most out of an interview. This was a real treat.
He's a good man. Heather and Tracy are also good women. They are intelligent and it must be a pleasant surprise when you have done interviews for decades. With people asking the same tired questions.
It's crazy he was actually able to interview Johnny Rotten. He is known for being one of the hardest people to interview.
12:13
You can tell Sway doesn’t know what Johnny is saying have the time but he still goes “Yup” and nods his head 😂
I’ve seen John do so many interviews over the years & he HATES interviewers who don’t do their homework, don’t have good honest questions & generally think they are better than him. I have to say, this interview is one of those good ones where you can see John is enjoying himself, likes the questions & is on equal level with with Sway & the team who never ONCE belittle him or discuss the same old crappy questions he detests.
THIS is how you interview someone like John Lydon who hates ignorance & stupidity.
Hats off to Sway & the whole team, once again they deliver an interview that puts some of the major big ones to shame.
#Respect
and the same for the other side. I think they were all a bit shocked when he dealt out the stories on Jamaica bambaata, and hip hop. and he didnt try to score brownie points. you could easily see it was part of his life. it made the entire room comfortable
@Tyler Mod You do not know Johnny Lydon at all. The last thing he is is a racist! He was brought up by Irish parents in a rough area equal to America's projects. We Irish were despised in Britain but we rebuilt that country after the second world war. They are now screaming for us to return as we've been replaced by Indian builders now look at the physique of the Irish vs the Indian. They don't have the stamina, nor the strength.
Hanora Brennan - Strange how your comment complains about him being a racist when he’s just having a civil conversation here, only to follow up with your own racist comments about Indians. Maybe try looking in the mirror? 🙄🤦🏻
He's nice here, only because the interviewers are black, that's a group he don't mess with because it will hurt his image if he does - which proves really - he's a phoney... phoney johhny rotten, head leader of the phoney pistols......
It was almost like John appreciated the aspect of a secularity he has strived to voice and the two souls seated next to another had a binary synergy that molds what Mr Lydon has stood for his entire being in his haminatariam skin. Yes, he you were relaxed John. He was not complacent but more rather complimented with like mindedness... I still do love my angst with myself and it's ways of breaking through to help others hearcwhat they are afraid to open their minds to. I have always believed that in order to create you have to abolish what obstacles your intuitive path. Truth and honestly Is not most humans path nor quest. Pure, unadulterated and uncut like the kind of dope that rained free that binds a mind and expands our defeats. Only, ONLY if we allow it. John does not allow allow others to chose his path for him. Rather he utilized their closed courses of repressions to gain freedom for more than just himself. Many just do not understand his point of view. They believe him to be a reckless abandon. They could not be more confused about their own accord... The saga lives in one life at a time and together we do make a whole...and together we also make a hole...between Earth's core to stratosphererical proportions we make it great or we don't based upon our gifts we bestow upon others less that we do ourselves. Humans can be quite selfish infact. So much at seems that we wouldn't feed our families the same food a homeless person is happy to find in the Cleaver's recyclables every week. Have a good day
the most relaxed interview I've ever seen with John. really nice to see.
Gotta look around. There are plenty on youtube.
Oooh there are LOTS of John being relaxed and reflective. He's a pussycat really behind the wild eyes. An emotional man especially when talking about the loss of family and friends. Keep looking. Once you enter the Lydon vortex on YT you'll learn a lot more about him!!
@Joe Sudz If John Lydon is the King of punk (which I don't believe he really sees himself as that, he's making fun of our preconceptions like he's always done) Then DEVO are the collective God Emperors of punk, and the unwilling inventors of, then infiltrators in, New Wave and synthpop.
@Joe Sudz
Lol I'm not big into labels either but I need to use them so I don't go crazy.
The Trump of your avatar reminds me of Booji Boy and of Art-devó's grittiest illustrations.
Them Britts are masters of pre-packaged music (just look at the Yuuuge success of them Spicy Gurls) and not even the Sex Pistols could scape It no matter how they tried.
I don't want to sound paranoid but, isn't it weird that just two years after DEVO's official formation in 1973, the Brittish came up with this?
There's too much paranoia, hold the pickles!!!
I think he's kinda relaxed with Conan
Full respect to John Lydon. For any one reading this in 10 years time, THIS IS A REAL HUMAN BEING! 'Par excellence' Par frigging excellence.
Johnny is a true OG. Uncompromising and vicious, did what he wanted and never took shit off anybody.
I thought Sid was Vicious
@@johnhareiel5118 baddum tiss 🥁
Nah man he's rotten, sid was vicious
The rat was vicious; Did was a sad story of warning!
This man is simply amazing a well versed, knowledgeable human being and the world NEEDS more people just like him!!!!!
Working class hero...these are the sorts of people we need in politics...
@@kwynrhys you're fucking kidding?! Johnny Rotten is exactly what his nickname states..........
Rotten! he's a fucking tool, and a piece of shit who sides with Trump.
@@roycedevries8122 i knew at some point Trump would be mentioned... and with of an emotional outburst no doubt! I was waiting for that! Thank you. I think I'm psychic
@@roycedevries8122 and lydon bruh
@@shekhinah2185 mom must be proud
Shout out to Sway for this one. As some who heavily listens to hip hop and older punk, this interview is truly appreciated. Dope!
EXACTLY
No denial, no dishonesty, no fabrication. Whatever anyone calls the 'punk movement' it taught me to be honest at my own risk. Yes, I formed a band in the late 70's. Yes, I'm still alive.
When is John Lydon not brutally honest? NEVER
when he's flogging fucking butter. which isn't real butter.
Blacktooth Fox I cant fucking believe it’s not butter!
Also why do these guys give this guy the title King of Punks? John Lydon thinks he is the only person in the world with an original genius idea. I love P.IL., but he had plenty of talent around him.
Current Bun Judge not, or let ye be judged Rambo!
It could be a true accusation what you are saying, after all doesn’t everybody manipulate or get creative with the truth? It’s called intelligence and living. Also are we not all hypocrites to a certain degree? Or is there a perfect person who does no wrong at all and is absolutely consistent in every word and thing they say and do?
Also what you are saying sounds a little like what the fella who murdered John Lennon said. The Bible calls the devil the accuser. The man who murdered Lennon said Lennon was a hypocrite as he sang about ‘imagine there’s no money, or possessions too..’ and he’s there in his mansion.. But in your right mind as we thankfully are, we can know that yes it’s ridiculous an artist can sing a song about certain things and say imagine this or that etc because that’s not what artists do is it? Be creative and make things, say things, produce art!!! It also means all artists have to 100% consistent in every move, word, thing etc they ever do, doesn’t it?
I hope you’re getting the point. We are all what you said, truth manipulating hypocrites, to some degree. Are we not? I try not to be hypocritical but changing the truth is called life. Think about it
In the beginning, he was the most honest musician (songwriter, vocalist) besides Jim Morrison. However, I think when nowadays, Mr. Lydon slip when he thinks President Trump is like the Sex Pistols of pop/rock music. I see no connection but through media of low expectations of popular opinion. However, the British Media blocked the fact that Sex Pistols had either the number one album or single for a safer band (the LP actually made money) and influenced a globalization of what is known as "Punk Music." Whereas President Donald Trump came from privlage and wealth, and did not win the popular vote but the electoral vote. Quite the opposite of what the Sex Pistols came from: poverty and poor social status (the lead guitarist, Steve Jones, didn't know how read until well into his 40's). John Lydon is very smart, aka Johnny Rotten, but now is finally relaxed (in the past year has put on a large amount of weight) and lives with his wife that does have a certain amount of wealth (her daughter was the lead singer of the Slits). Sorry, too long for this reply.
That was fucking outstanding. For those who don't know the Sex Pistols story and their album it's hard to convey how important John is to our personal freedoms. Early punk wasn't pretty but sometimes it was Very Real.
My respect for Sway and the gang just doubled.
Suchapill!! His singing style was much like the one from Peter Hammill on Nadir‘s Big Chance, a record that includes the pre- Punk Ästhetik
@@AnalEyesAnalyzeAnalLies-666 fake how ??
18:10 👀 !
Better then the nu punk we have now
Early punk was around before rotten
I know virtually nothing about his music, but as a person I love listening to what he has to say.
And "Rise."
Listen to the Sex Pistols, first. They only have one album, but it's considered one of, if not THE BEST, Punk album ever made. And then check out Public Image Ltd., the band John Lydon was in after the Pistols broke up. It's more experimental, dancey, arty Punk, and it's amazing. John is a legend.
@@Junior13113 Nevermind the Bullocks is FAR ftom the best punk album. Not even top 5.
@@estebanb7166 Meh, agree to disagree. I dunno how you feel about Pink Flag, London Calling, Marquee Moon and Raw Power, but in my opinion, those are the others if I made a top 5.
@@estebanb7166 Ramones self-titled, Remain in Light, Underwater Moonlight, Horses, Blank Generation and Parallel Lines as honorable mentions of course.
Johnny is the real OG.
In today's world where we hear that "The community" is important not the individual
People like him are so much more important than ever to teach young people that they are individuals & should always strive to stay individuals
He also talks about the community. Like how money changed the relationship between Arsenal and its fans, or London and the working class.
@@mrtulipeater sure. Punk bands made free shows to support working class strikes
ruclips.net/video/WrDRi4dk-DQ/видео.html
nobody today says we're individuals because they want indoctrinated sheeps.
Johnny is not has never being one.
He is 100% right on this.
2:30 ... 👀!
10:02 ... 👀!
Johny is an increadably brutaly honest guy! It's always interesting to hear his opinion on everything in life!
John is a historic figure. He is valuable and when he goes off... well, good for him. The world needs him and others like him. All the best to you!
Johnny Rotten on Sway? Something to check out when I get home. Keep these interviews coming with folks I would've never imagined seeing on shady 45.
Well hold your fuckin comment til then
0 subscribers 0 videos fuck off
@VVoOꟻF I actually forgot about this but........ when i was a youngin my mom always told me you can't fight ignorance just let em be and they were clearly ignorant as f@*k, hopefully through the years they've developed some type of smarts.
Greetings from Ireland y'all! This interview will be archived as a reference to the many-faceted interests of a rare individual called John Lydon. Proud to say he has Irish blood running through those veins of his 🇨🇮 🧠 Well done Sway, you've bagged the best interview.
That's the Ivory Coast flag 😂
We all know that without the Irish we would not have honesty in Great Britain. Many Irish names come to mind when this is the topic there.
Man Lydon is a voice of reason in these crazy times.
Great interview by Sway. Never thought Johnny Rotten would be on Sway in the Morning.
dweezler yeah, lydon is very smart. had a book to promote.
Sway is such a great interviewer! I always use the punk and hip-hop comparisons.
Btv Afrika Bambaataa HIMSELF said Punks and hip hop fans were tearing the clubs and shit up together when hip hop started, and they bounced off each other a lot, their music both also had a lot of straight forward messages that dug deep.
+Btv They both have the FTW attitude
+AbstractRule listen to the bouncy drum beats on minor threats album
yeah alot in common, so did drum and bass years later, and so did The Who in the 1960's before punk and hiphop
I disagree. He stumbles over basic grammar. .
Long live the real king of honesty in art, John Lydon.
"Find a way of challenging the system...and use its rules on itself. Great success can be had there."
This is the best interview with John Lydon I've seen. Well done!
hip hop is my current favourite genre. punk music was my obsession growing up. so to see them at anytime intertwining and showing love for one another i can't help but feel so happy real recognise real
Agreed bro. Rambo is the Protector. Two Johns. Fuck that ridiculous limp beardy cnt they bring out to say Hi
Punk & Hip Hop together, how cool same spirit
Yes, the feels! 🖤🖤
Joey H..and thats exactly where it stopped.
What are you 12 years old? Growing up... ha!
He drops pearls of wisdom without even knowing it - just pops out !!
John lydon is a legend, brutally honest and witty, this was a great interview cause he's usually quick to cut the interviewer down
Whatt I really like about him is that he never stop expressing his opinions, he is polite if you are polite and rough if he thinks you are trying to patronise him, but he will always say what he thinks, see the Jamaica comments. He is not afraid of backlash. We lack that in our society. We can disagree but they have to say it.
Thank you so much for this interview. Unfortunately, it's so rare to hear someone this genuine.
Oh god, John is so bloody interesting and his theories or beliefs on life are so grounded and sensible.
Very few people on this planet get my interest and have me waiting so intently for their views. This guy is one of them.
✌
Legend. Full Stop. He was the Pistols, what happened after he left? this guy is a creative genius. Gives sooo much away P I L for life
+bignimmo1971 what makes Lydon, such an essential artist, was that he has made great records, and he has made bad records, but he has never made the same record twice. I wish he would get back into the studio. John Lydon: entomologist.
well said Emma.. he doesn't do nothing twice.Great comment. u are a smart cookie
+emma duncan PiL has been back in action for about 5 yrs. 2 studio lps worth of brand new material. A lot to enjoy.
yup some good stuff on there.. some not , but not every album is perfect( i am now disagreeing with myself lol) please dont laugh at me
+bignimmo1971 Selfish rubbish is my favourite of his....
Love that he right away put punk, techno and hip hop in the same sentence right off the bat. Listen to Sway's early music with King Tech, he knows. Very dope interview.. John is a stern dude with a short temper, but keeps it real af. Respect.
Total living legend John. So smart, wise and in tune with what matters in life.
King of punks and a very clever guy. Won’t take shit of anyone and says what he thinks . A legend. Best punk band ever too . Pistols were great ! Keep going John there should be more like you ! Respect !
Aw, I love this bloke. I have been a fan for years. He really is a national treasure. I remember well his stint on “I’m a celebrity….”. It was only by watching this video that I found out he raised £250K for charities by doing that. Love live the Punk King.
I'm 44 years old and JUST found out how great this man is. Wow, he has held this mentality since before I was born. A really impressive man!
Sway absolutely nailed that interview, and I loved the discussions about similarities between punk and hip-hop. There is a lot of similarities, even towards how they both took a big hit with cheap imitators. What an amazing interview. I can't believe I just found it.
Johnny has always been a class act - I got one of my little cousins into the Sex Pistols and PIL when she was about seven. And when we ran into him one day he was actually really sweet to her. Some famous musicians act like shit heads to everyone - even kids - but John was classy.
He was soooo Johnny Lydon when i met him and he gave me a PiL keychain....i believe my brother still has it!
Kraftwerk. German group responsible for hiphop break beat "Trans Europe Express" who may have inspired Daft Punk. Great history for Punk, Hiphop and how it all falls into place. Please get Debbie Harry up in here. Everytime I think this show can't get any better, shit like this pops up and reminds me of what's really good.
2lemonades "Krautrock" is the name of the genre, which was post -punk. it's a cool link between punk and hip-hop.
i wouldn't call krautrock post-punk. i don't think of it as a real genre either. it's more like "music from germany" especially in from the late 60s to early 80s. can preceded punk by a good 10 years. tangerine dream, neu!, amon duul ii, ash ra tempel and faust were definitely before the pistols. i don't know where kraftwerk fits in the timeline of punk. but in krautrock, it was late krautrock & it none of the above are derivative of punk.
the only cross-over between the pistols & hip hop i can come up with is malcom mclaren. that's mentioned here, but the double dutch/buffalo gals stuff came after lydon had quit the pistols and i think mclaren wasn't involved anymore as well. sounds like johnny was a fan or acquaintance of afrika bambaataa at least. and he rightly categorizes both hip hop & punk as being "diy" and "outsider" (not controlled by the music industry).
Fun fun fun in the Autobahn
Kraftwerk definitely influenced Daft Punk lol . And they were pre-punk, started in early 1970s ... :)
@@FishFullOfFeathers careful you're confusing the youngsters with your account of music history there. Krautrock wasn't post-punk, it was post-war!! John Lydon was a fan. The vocal performance on Side Two of the first album by Neu! released at the beginning of the 70s is worth a listen. You can hear shades of Hugh Cornwell (Stranglers) in it....and a touch of Johnny Rotten too! Kraftwerk made four or five albums before the style you're thinking of which fascinated the hip hop artists....The Man Machine 1978. But from late 60s to mid-seventies was actually the classic period of what we know as Krautrock. Punk was 76 at the earliest!!
Johnny was rapping and helping create the whole Hip Hop music scene back in the early 80s.
imagine if they dropped a beat and were like' ayyy you got bars fam lets go'
Then he'd do his verse from 4 yrs ago
5 fingers
“I am an anarchist!”
He doesn't have to sell his product. The world knows his work and respects it.
12:08
You just gained a fan and subscriber Sway. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview.
What a voice, John. Could melt butter. Or remove rust.
adventuresinbelieving or sell butter
butter wouldn't melt in his mouth...
+george hammond 😂😂😂
Melt country life butter
Butter you say?
Three minutes in, and I'm already shopping for Sex Pistols vinyls.
Never mind the bollocks this is the Sex Pistols.
You can't go wrong.
Not that great
Yeah!!!
@@datman3416 you have no taste
I love john Lydon. Say it as it is, respect. The interviewer here is great too. I loved watching this
What a great interview. Honesty is so much more entertaining than phony personalities
Sway's introductions and back stories for his guests are the best
Reminded why I love John Lydon. Thanks !
Great show! And the fact John's still going and keeps the true sense of what 'punk' was about and still should be. If anything influenced hip-hop and new styles that blossomed through the 80's and 90's, it'd have to be PIL's Flowers Of Romance album. The most daring, brilliant, innovative work of the top 3 in the 20th century IMHO. When it comes to rhythms, lyrics, and inventive composing and production - it is the unsung influential album of all time.
5 years later, this is still a pleasure to watch. Mad props!!
His love of nature in its normal state is admirable.
ruclips.net/video/WrDRi4dk-DQ/видео.html
John Lydon: King of punk, my hero. Don't ever change. Long live King John!
He has never been swayed by the masses or pop culture. LOVE HIM.
He’s more agreeable in this interview than I’ve ever seen him. A testament to Sway’s interviewing skills.
Johnny Rotton was a legend in my mind as a young adolescent. I spent my high school years wanting to be just like him. Anarchy got me nothing but freedom got me everything. I wonder why he became an American Citizen.
He probably became a US citizen as an Irish Punk in the UK I'm sure he felt unmoored his whole life, from the UK in Ireland,Irishman in the UK, I bet he felt he could be more himself in America
Rotten*
He said the only reason he became an american citizen was obama care😂
The truest words ever spat by Johnny
"Ever had the feeling you been cheated!?"
He saw through their system & tried to imbue the world with that knowledge
This interview proves, treated with respect you get respect back. Pretty simple.
John Lydon was always a respectful guy in the first place but what you say is true, yes.
Fan since 78.
Made me who I am today. Mr Lydon would be proud.
Thank you for your music and brutally honest lyrics.
Aloha
"Every thing we did, they told us to do. Don't you feel a bit cheated." The most honest man in rock and roll.
Hated the Pistols when they first came out, I was still a Zep , Pink Floyd guy. Then the Clash came along and I changed my mind about Punk Rock. Now of course I Love John and the pistols. Not only that the man has been married to the same woman for 45 YEARS!! Rock on bro.
Johnny talking about Sid and Nancy is the realist shit.
I’ve had so much respect for sway my whole life, completely unreal to finally find this interview... grew up on punk and all of Johnny rottens music...plenty of other bands to name... this is monumental in my mind... when did the lupe fiasco freestyle go down?? Haha I’ve played that on repeat SO many times! This is so dope, I love the respect, I love my humans.
Sway did a good job with this interview (no surprise). The coming together of hip hop from my generation and the punk rock that preceded it is natural. Listening to the Sex Pistols, Public Enemy, Dead Kennedys, and NWA all in the same day encapsulates my early teen years.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I MISS THIS Interview for 9 years! JESUS CHRIST! thank you very much for sharing! Greetings from PORTUGAL Oeiras
Real Deal Johnny Rotten here, I like how Heather and Sway are suprised at how cool he is
What a pleasure to observe such reason, understanding and perspective...in an atmosphere where mutual respect is alive and well and living in harmony as you have witnessed here 🙏
We could do with more John Lydons in this world.
I've been saying the same thing for years Sway that Punk and Hip Hop are at the least cousins if not siblings. They came about at the same time in many of the same cities and are fighting against some the same things, but just different ways of getting the message out. A friend asked me about the concept of a Punk and Hip Hop collaboration and I said sure, it's a family reunion.
From "Traitor" to National Treasure. There will always be a Lydon!
Sway always seemed genuine to me. I used to watch him (years ago) struggle on MTV doing those inane music news stories, he seemed like a "real" person that didn't belong with some of those ghouls. Glad to see him still going and this is a great interview.
met john in a pub in hastings (england) two years ago. i said, 'how are you john.' he said 'buy us a fucking pint and i'll tell you.' he was hilarious.
To some people John Lydon comes across as to some folk as a loudmouth iconoclast, etc, etc, ad nauseum, but he has always been true to himself and his art, and he's never deviated from his core beliefs. He is without doubt a diamond geezer.
Refreshing to see John like this, true legend.
Yeah man, have got so much respect for John Lydon my fave pistol and yeah PIL are an excellent force to be respected also. Great interview and will have to go purchase the book. Cheers!
This is one of the dopest interviews ive ever seen.
Thank you for the video! You friends are all super awesome!
John Lydon is a LEGEND! Love that guy :-)
Punk and Hip Hop have always been my favorites and they really do mirror each other in ways so well. Deltron 3030 to So Long and Thanks for all the Shoes!
Kendrick, J. Cole putting there lives on the line for Hip Hop?????
What about Chuck D? What about KRS-One? What about Immortal Technique?
They have been doing it for YEARS!!!
Exactly. I at least thought he would said talib kweli
Also tupac
Earl sweatshirt is the best out now
Yeah that whole moment was awkward. But I think they were being super polite/shocked in the face of Lydon’s somewhat clueless comment in the first place. Even king of the punks has more to learn. (And this is a fan talking.)
tru that!
How can anyone dislike someone who talks the truth. Brilliant
Sad little inconsequential man
Fucking brilliant. You guys should bring in Jaz from Killing Joke. Tight with Lydon since childhood. KJ was and still is crucial to the consciousness awareness but goes unrecognized in broader genres. Jaz will bring enlightenment and insight you will definitely "be writing everything down". Thxs for the upload. 💘
Sway kept this guy on check so effortlessly. This is the first time i have seen him this calm. 😆
As a skinhead it's good to hear Johnnys life is reggae
Back in my day in Houston, TX there was a huge punk and specifically large skinhead scene. For whatever reason there was this seemingly universal theme going on. Reds were the conservative racist hate mongers who attacked anyone who was different, and they were called Hard Core; red Docs, red suspenders, red bandanas. The blues, or Straight Edge, were the anti racists more liberal to one extent group, but there was a weird subgroup of Straight Edge that demonized so much; their motto was "don't drink, don't smoke, don't fuck". They were often just as violent and intolerant in their own way, but they were still respected more than the Core. I've never heard of SHARP but now I'm going to have to look into the modern skinhead movements. I was a punk but not a skin, but I had a poignant experience. I started my senior hs year enrolled on the army's delayed entry GI bill program to be a combat engineer with airborne training, forts Benning and Leonardwood, had been at the same job since I was 15, no criminal record, never skipped school, was taking Latin, art, computer programming, chemistry, and physics, then one Saturday got a good and proper Mohawk. Within 3 days I was kicked out of my home, fired from my job, and told not to come back to school unless I conformed to conservative Texas standards. I enrolled myself into another school district the following year and graduated but have been telling conservatives to fuck off since.
David Olson all a skinhead is a person with no hair and a cold head.
Punk and reggae were both marginalized subcultures in America but became rather supportive of each other, which contributed to the Ska scene. While many people shave their heads for many reasons and may be called skinheads in general, the skinhead movements of the 80s at the peak of America's punk subculture were very distinctly sociopolitical. Fashion may become trendy, but that doesn't define a group. Having a Mohawk doesn't make me a member of the Mohawk tribe.
+Anty Bee Punk + reggae = Bad Brains!
Ska and the skinhead movements both predate punk and reggae, and the 'original skins' as i've heard them called, were basically a working-class political movement composed of (i think?) british laborers, some time in the late 50s/early 60s, for whom the no.2 buzzcut (not bald heads, like most modern skins), suspenders and boots were much less fashion choices than common work attire. To get a good perspective on modern skinheads, check out the book 'american skin'. I forget the author's name, alex something, maybe...
And the houston punk scene seemed to have few skins of the more modern type, as of 2012 or so, a fair few dressed in the old style, though. One thing i loved àbout the scene was that there was a lot of variety, from psychobilly (the ghost storys, among others) to skacore (molotov compromise! Whooo!!!) and so forth. Usually got to see 5 or 6 bands for a ten-spot, and everyone, bands and crowd alike, always greeted me like a long-lost brother.
Awesome to have John on. This guy is a legend.
I just finished his first book, and am looking forward to reading the new one. John is one of my favorite people now. I wonder if he ever talked to Frank Zappa?
Total honesty and a very broad perspective but he had this when he was a kid! And he held it and he holds it and if you call him on it he doesn't need anywhere to hide because he fucking lived it. I wish I had access to videos like this when I was much younger. Cheers, Mr. Lydon.
best guest ever!!!!---
Wow I’ve never seen him be so nice to an interviewer
absolute amazing interview, love johnny so much
Thank God for the existence of John Lyndon.
very cool, really enjoyed this
wow, what a great interview! Loved weatching this!
Want to see John and Ricky Gervais in conversation
That would be awesome
Awesome interview. Loved the Sex Pistols since I was a kid. Definitely loads of parallels between punk and hip-hop, especially in the early days. Cheers fellas
Wow, i fucking love John, we need more people like him. Great interview
This was a wonderful interview! I Love John!
2020 Your still as relevant as always.
Cheers John.
Youth speaks rebellion, age speaks enlightenment ,,maturity speaks wisdom!
Hail to the King. Man!
Never knew John had become a US Citizen.
I do admire John, he has some great views and speaks his mind.
I have also lost friends via Heroin, such a waste and there is no reasoning with them.
Cheers John
Back in the day I was never a sex pistols/ John Lyndon fan. I watch and listen to John all these years later and I respect him for the honest human being he is 👍
"Oh he didn't come up with that?"
Did he literally just ask if Malcolm MCLAREN stole someone else's idea?"
Yeah, I'd say he didn't PREPARE!
You obviously don't know Sway's steez well. He plays unaware of a certain situation and presents a question so that he can get a vibrant answer out of a guest. Check Sway's interview with Russell Peters when he asks about Trevor Noah.
It is just enough to let John know you are really interested in what he says, not all the time interrupt - like most of reporters were doing. Indeed, he tells how the things are, nothing more. And by the way, one of the best quotes from some early interviews: "I try to impress myself".