It’s not the first time John Lydon has criticized the biographical drama miniseries ‘Pistol’ that was made behind his back. In a recent chat with BBC Radio 6’s Craig Charles, the singer once again shared his resentment towards his former bandmates and even described it as a ‘mockumentary.’
Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones worked with Craig Pearce and Danny Boyle to produce the miniseries released last year on Hulu. Lydon, who knew of the project days before the announcement, had previously mentioned that his former bandmate had cut him out of the production and creation process and didn’t involve him in any of the decision-making even though he was a vital asset to the band.
Around the same time, Sex Pistols and Universal Music Group announced that they would release a new complication album called ‘The Original Recordings’ featuring the tracks between 1976 and 1978. Lydon chose to stay out of it as it wouldn’t be up to par with their original albums.
John Lydon’s words about the miniseries:
“I had to, yes, and it’s ridiculous; it’s my life story in there as well, and they’re making a mockery of it. So I was kind of really pleased that they just did a bad job in that production but very disappointed at the same time that they did a bad job in that production.
It’s a very, very spiteful piece of work, done entirely without my knowledge behind my back, and I won’t forgive them for that. I wrote those songs, I gave them a career, I definitely gave them an image, and there was no respect shown, and then they walked me into a courtroom and had serious money I could be doing with now; it cost me big time.”
When asked whether this situation spoiled his memories of the Pistols, he replied:
“Oh very much so, yeah yeah yeah, I mean, I love them for what they did at the time, but I can’t forget that.”
So, Lydon is still very hurt by his former bandmate’s decision to do the miniseries without his consent or input. With the release of the biopic and all the legal disputes that Lydon poured money into, the memory of the Sex Pistols is not the same anymore, as everything that has happened with his former bandmates has left a bad taste in his mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtqE2Df91A
