John Lydon Uncut

In our extended online Q&A, the punk icon talks marriage, the importance of gargling with brandy, and what it was like to be Johnny Rotten.

By Jeff Gordinier; Photograph by Lise Sarfati

Q: I was just watching YouTube footage of the Sex Pistols, and there seemed to be a great deal of joy in your performances back in the seventies—which most people wouldn’t say about the Pistols. They just talk about your being pissed off.
A: Well, I’m amazed they missed that. But I don’t think our fan base has missed that. Never has. You know, the judgment of outsiders is always wicked at best, isn’t it? Really, the detractors—you’ve got to be looking at them as nothing but a bunch of jealous fucks.