Aug 262010
Johnny or John?
A real simple question, based on the current RTH poll: What does your choice of name in referring to Johnny Rotten/John Lydon say about you as a rock nerd?
I refer to him as “John Lydon.” What’s that say about me?
A real simple question, based on the current RTH poll: What does your choice of name in referring to Johnny Rotten/John Lydon say about you as a rock nerd?
I refer to him as “John Lydon.” What’s that say about me?
A couple of years ago, I saw Johnny shopping at Lansky’s shop in Memphis. I said to myself, “There’s Johnny Rotten…”
I make it a point to call Papa Nez “Michael Nesmith” as opposed to “Mike Nesmith.” Mike Nesmith is a character on a TV show called The Monkees. Michael Nesmith is a musician, producer, and writer. You’ll never hear me call him “Mike.” So, I’m a dork.
TB
Not a dork, a *Tork*.
Myself, I try to refrain from talking John Lydon/Rotten at all, but if necessary refer to him as “the singer in that punk band that is of historical interest but which I’d never waste my time listening to.” After a while it rolls right off the tongue.
All of the Monkees should have changed their names to a form of Michael. For instance, you could have Mick Dolenz, Micheal Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Mickey Tork. If the Ramones can do it for last names, why not?
I say Rotten, it’s just a better description. Calling him Lydon would remind me of a drunken high school history teacher, Mr. Lydon, who supervised a study hall I had. He delighted in asking everyone who wanted to go to the bathroom to raise their hands, then would shout, “Put ’em down, you smell!”. He was about as funny as Johnny.
I’m context sensitive.
“What’s that say about me?”
it says that you take him seriously.
i call him johnny rotten.
Being context sensitive makes sense. I’d like to think that I am too, but I always say Roger McGuinn. I never knew Jim…
TB
I realize in thinking about this that I too am context sensitive, unconsciously. When I think of him as Rotten it’s like he’s a cartoon character and not even real.
I’m a huge fan of early PIL and tend not to associate Lydon with Rotten. As if there isn’t a connection between the two.
Almost like early Elton John (great) and the bloated, hair-plugged, Disney soundtrack cartoon that he became. Wish he’d changed his name to make it easier. Elton Rotten? or Sir Elton Don’t Bother. or Elton Too Bad I Didn’t OD When I Had The Chance.
Gut instinct- Johnny Rotten
He did his part and I don’t really give him much thought. I suppose if I were to meet the guy, I would call him John.
Here’s one- Frank Black or Black Fancis?
To me he’s John Lydon. When I saw PiL recently I told my friends, “You know, John Lydon’s band.” They gave me a quizzical look before I re-stated “Johnny Rotten.”
“Oh Yeah” they replied.
Lydon is the musician, whilst Rotten is the character.
Sammy, I read someplace that Groucho Marx was friendly with Elton John (he liked having piano players around so he could sing accompanied), but always called him John Elton. So maybe you can do this with the guy until the point where Groucho died, c. August 1977. It probably works out fairly well as a timeline.
Rock of the Westies was released in 75 so that’s about right. I’ve heard that the early 80s Too Low For Zero is pretty good but…I’m scared. Anyone vouch for that?
Yeah, I usually call him Lydon too. I’m in agreement with those who think of Johnny Rotten as a created character. Though if anybody asked who the lead singer of the Pistols was, I’d probably say Rotten.
Oooooh, I really like Blondie. Blondie used to be really hot. I saw her in concert a few years ago and screamed to her, “Hey, Blondie, I’m always touched by your presence, dear!” I really love Blondie. She’s cute, that Blondie.
You guys have convinced me. Johnny Rotten is a character. From now on, he’s John Lydon to me.
Who was he when he appeared on Judge Judy?
TB
If you call him “Lydon,” it’s because you’re afraid to piss him off. Do you kowtow to Lou Reed too?
Yes.
sammymaudlin, for Elton, anything after Captain Fantastic (1975), other than singles–caveat emptor.
That’s what I thought misterioso and that’s the inner logic I have been following. Maybe mikey (haven’t seen him in a bit) can do a latter EJ review sometime.
As a young man I respected his wish to be called John Lydon, a human and aspiring artist. I liked the first three PiL albums and felt Second Edition (I’m not so pretentious that I’ll call it Metal Box, because I never owned that version) was especially good. At that time in my life I also aspired to be a human and an artist. “John Lydon” all the way, to this day, even when he’s perfectly willing to put on his Johnny Rotten costume and had repeatedly given up on being this John Lydon character for years leading up to the return of Rotten.
“BORING! Next question….”
Didn’t Bono have a last name when U2’s first album came out??
I think he use to go by “Bono Vox”.
Never liked PIL so I’d say ROTTEN!