John Joseph Lydon (born 31 January 1956), also known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, is an English singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the late-1970s British punk band the Sex Pistols, which lasted from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s. He is also the lead singer of post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL), which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again since 2009.
Lydon's outspoken persona, rebellious image and fashion style led to his being asked to become the singer of the Sex Pistols by their manager, Malcolm McLaren. With the Sex Pistols, he penned singles including "Anarchy in the U.K.," "God Save the Queen", "Pretty Vacant" and "Holidays in the Sun", the content of which precipitated what one commentator described as the "last and greatest outbreak of pop-based moral pandemonium" in Britain. The band scandalised much of the media, and Lydon was seen as a figurehead of the burgeoning punk movement. Because of their controversial lyrics and disrepute at the time, they are regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of popular music. [source: Wikipedia]
Known For
Kylie Minogue V The Bee Gees
Self (archive footage)
2022
Here to be Heard: The Story of The Slits
Self (archive footage)
2018
Who the Fuck Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago
Self
2017
Two Sevens Clash: Dread Meets Punk Rockers
Self
2017
The Public Image Is Rotten
Himself
2017
Song to Song
John Lydon
2017
Night Flight: Born Again
Self
2016
Lennon or McCartney
Self
2014
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
Self
2014
More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On
Self - Performer
2014
Super Duper Alice Cooper
Self (voice)
2014
Never Mind the Baubles: Xmas '77 with the Sex Pistols
John Lydon
2013
Beware of Mr. Baker
Self
2012
There Is a PiL in Heaven
2012
Punk Britannia at the BBC
Self
2012
Sons of Norway
Johnny Rotten
2011
Sex Pistols: The Whole Story
Himself
2011
Sex Pistols: There'll Always Be an England
Self
2008
Punk's Not Dead
Self
2007
Joy Division - Under Review
Himself
2006
Leftfield: A Final Hit
2005
End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones
Self (archive footage)
2003
25 Years of Punk
Self (archive footage)
2001
The Independent
Baruce
2000
The Filth and the Fury
Self
2000
Chef Aid: Behind The Menu
Self - Host
1998
Sex Pistols: Live at Budokan
Johnny Rotton (Himself)
1996
Sex Pistols: Live in Winterland
Self - Vocals
1996
Sex Pistols: The Filthy Lucre Tour - Live in Japan
Himself - Vocals
1996
Sex Pistols: Decade... A Look Back (Unlimited Supply)
Himself
1989
Sex Pistols: Buried Alive
Himself
1988
Copkiller
Leo Smith
1983
Cool Cats: 25 Years of Rock 'n' Roll Style
Self (archive footage)
1983
D.O.A.
Himself
1980
The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle
The Collaborator
1980
Punk and Its Aftershocks
Self
1980
The Punk Rock Movie
Self
1978
Sex Pistols - Live at the Longhorn
Himself
1978
Johnny Rotten's Tour of London
Acceleration Punk
Self
1977
Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story
Self
Piers Morgan Uncensored
Self · (2 episodes)
2022
Rebel Dread
Self
2022
70 Years of Youth Revolt
Self (archive footage) · (1 episode)
2020
Punk
Self · (3 episodes)
2019
The Masked Singer
Self · (1 episode)
2019
The Masked Singer
Jester · (1 episode)
2019
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Meat Sweats (voice) · (3 episodes)
2018
The Public Image Is Rotten: Songs From The Heart
2018
Public Image Ltd: Live at Enmore Theatre in Sydney
2013
Public Image Limited – Live At Rockpalast 1983
Vocals
2012
Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols
Himself
2012
Punk Britannia
(3 episodes)
2012
VH1's 100 Most Shocking Music Moments
Self
2009
Sex Pistols: Agents of Anarchy
Self (archive footage)
2009
The Sex Pistols: In their own words
Himself
2007
Seven Ages of Rock
Self · (7 episodes)
2007
The One Show
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2006
The One Show
Self · (1 episode)
2006
The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave
Self
2006
The Sex Pistols: Music Video Box Documentary
2005
Blood on the Turntable
(1 episode)
2004
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
(1 episode)
2003
Classic Albums: Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols
Self - Vocals
2002
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Self · (11 episodes)
2002
Degeneration Punk
1997
The Daily Show
Self · (1 episode)
1996
Dancing Barefoot
Self (archive footage)
1995
Sex Pistols Live - Phoenix Festival
Sex Pistols - Anthems
V Graham Norton
Self · (1 episode)
2002
Where Are They Now?
Self · (2 episodes)
1999
Fantasy World Cup
Self · (1 episode)
1998
Anarchy Movie '85
Self
1985
Berlin Wall and the Sex Pistols
1978
Sex Pistols - The Long Lost Videos
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross
Self · (2 episodes)
2001
Classic Albums
Self - Vocals · (1 episode)
1997
Public Image Ltd. : Videos
1986
Public Image Ltd. : Live in Japan '83
Himself
1983
Question Time
Self - Panellist · (1 episode)
1979
The Year Of Punk
1978
The London Weekend Show
(1 episode)