Public Image Limited singer John Lydon has given a bizarre performance in New York in which he labelled the Pope “a Nazi”.
John Lydon is not known for keeping quiet. The Sex Pistols burst to fame on the back of an expletive riddled slot on ‘The Bill Grundy Show’ before the singer pushed on to form Public Image Limited.
Recently coming out of hiatus, Public Image Limited are touring to celebrate their classic album ‘Metal Box’. Performing at Terminal 5 in Brooklyn on Wednesday (May 19th) the band gave a typically outspoken performance.
Onstage for over two hours, the show mixed classic PiL tracks with some ferocious ranting from John Lydon. Referring to the immigration laws in Arizona, the singer said: “There’s a whole heap of nonsense going on in Arizona. But with a bit of luck this! Old! PIL! Song! Will! Sort! That! Shit! Out!”
Famed for their track ‘Religion’ PiL gave an epic rendering of the song. John Lydon stuck with the subject ranting: “I hate all religion! All religion! All institutionalized religion! I need no institution between me and my god/maker! I hate all religion!”
Before quickly following this with: “To the question, ‘Is the Pope a Nazi?’ Answer: yes! The Pope was a Nazi!”
Oh dear.
Causing a huge amounts of controversy Stateside, the performance has already gone down in PiL folklore. Finishing with a wall of noise, John Lydon told the crowd: “We are a Viking raiding party of good will and intention! Good night, Brooklyn!”
Read each of John Lydon’s rants HERE.
Public Image Limited are set to return to Europe later this year.
