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John Lydon Denies “Racist Attack”

added 22 July 2008 at 11.01

That man John Lydon is at the centre of controversy all over again – this time, he’s being accused of a “racist attack” against Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke backstage at a European Festival. Following the Sex Pistols’s appearance at Spain’s Summercase festival on Sunday (July 20), the Bloc Party singer claimed that he was the subject of an “unprovoked racist attack”, which left him with bruises.

 

In a statement, Okereke related how he’d approached Lydon, but the veteran punk “became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'Your problem is your black attitude'." The incident was quickly broken up, but left Okereke angry and disillusioned, saying, “I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."

 

However, Lydon has hit back at the stories with his trademark venom: “I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening,” he said in a statement. "After 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow."

The statement went on to say that the Pistols had been signing autographs for four hours, “which seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands. The trouble was brought to us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security.”

Lydon’s parting shot to Okereke was: "Grow up and learn to be a true man. When you have achieved as much as I have, come back and talk to me. It's a shame the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this."

More Lydon antics:

John Lydon Rants About England At The MOJO Honours List

John Lydon Rants About England Again On The Xfm Breakfast Show

 

What do you think? Has Lydon lost it and are his comments too near the knuckle these days? Or should Kele have resorted to fisticuffs and been a “true man”? Tell us what you think – leave a comment, why don’tcha?

Tagged as Bloc Party, Sex Pistols, Injury, Misc, Rumours

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comments

1. I personally am disgusted about this. I've never liked Sex Pistols, waaaay to overrated, but I at least respected what they have done for the music industry.
   That respect has been lost, I cannot believe that a man held in such high respect such as Lydon can claim that Kele is jealous of Lydon, then proceed to racially abuse him.
   Bloc Party > Sex Pistols, at least Bloc Party have talent, something Sex Pistols never had.

   Posted by samsaBEAR on 24/07/2008 19:36:09 | report abuse

2. Public Information Ltd - Rise. ''I could be wrong, I could be right. I could be black, I could be white. Can't be that bad eh!

   Posted by Louis (again) on 22/07/2008 22:32:51 | report abuse

3. Racist? NO. Idiot? Yes

   Posted by JIMMY-RAY on 22/07/2008 18:55:47 | report abuse

4. I think it's fair to say John Lydon's proud to be English, and some comments are taken the wrong way by people who are not so proud to be English. I highly doubt he's a 'racist' though. He's been around for a long long time, come on, we'd know all about it by now.

   Posted by Louis on 22/07/2008 15:15:05 | report abuse