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I went to visit Alcatraz years ago when I was on tour with the Pistols, and I really liked the atmosphere of the place. I genuinely, really, thoroughly enjoyed the whole morning there. I just liked the quietness and stillness of what is basically a cruel prison complex. I still found some kind of joy in that. That's how I am.
John Joseph Lydon -
Art should be life. It's an imitation of life. It should have some humanity in it.
John Joseph Lydon
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The only good political movement I've seen lately was Occupy Wall Street. They had no leaders, which was genius. But unfortunately it always ends up with some hippy playing a flute.
John Joseph Lydon -
I've created several musical trends, really. That's not because I'm so far out and fabulous. It's because most bands have no ideas of their own. They're so desperate they'll grab at any old straw.
John Joseph Lydon -
If you ever want to know why I'm not on a record label, look at 'The X Factor!' Honestly, of all the people that strive to break barriers in music and do good things and write great lyrics, not one of them would ever pass the first round on any of these competitions.
John Joseph Lydon -
I've always said, I thought the Sex Pistols was more Music Hall than anything else - because I think that really, more truths are said in humour than any other form.
John Joseph Lydon -
You can always wake up on the wrong side of the bed and, boo-hiss, everyone suffers. We can all be temperamental.
John Joseph Lydon -
I've never said I'm a communist.
John Joseph Lydon
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When you grew up like me and my four brothers, you end up feeling somewhat inadequate, like somehow you don't count.
John Joseph Lydon -
I find Lady Gaga hilarious. And I kind of like her. My heart's warmed to her.
John Joseph Lydon -
Any new ideas go into PiL. My inspiration is everything that the human being gets up to. I don't listen to any music when I'm in PiL-zone, because influences can poison your well. Otherwise, I listen to anything.
John Joseph Lydon -
I have one major problem with the Internet: It's full of liars.
John Joseph Lydon -
Listen, you know this: If there's not a rebellious youth culture, there's no culture at all. It's absolutely essential. It is the future. This is what we're supposed to do as a species, is advance ideas.
John Joseph Lydon -
I mean, the genuine roots of culture is folk music.
John Joseph Lydon
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I never take any commitment lightly, and I certainly don't take my wife lightly. I never did and I never will. That's permanent. That's true love.
John Joseph Lydon -
Move to Italy. I mean it: they know about living in debt; they don't care. I stayed out there for five months while I was making a film called 'Order Of Death,' and they've really got it sussed. Nice cars. Sharp suits. Great food. Stroll into work at 10. Lunch from 12 till three. Leave work at five. That's living!
John Joseph Lydon -
I've helped launch 49 careers - those that have been in PiL. To me, they are my babies; whatever they get up to, they know I love them. They've been living in my pockets, and they should show more gratitude.
John Joseph Lydon -
Look, if the Situationists achieved what they wanted, they would be very unhappy and they would have to be Situationists all over again. It's a never-ending process.
John Joseph Lydon -
I'm not great at dealing with death, I have to say. I find death very hard: my mum, my dad, Sid Vicious. I'm not a monster; I feel it and it scares me. One death at a time, please, is all my heart will bear.
John Joseph Lydon -
You'd have to be daft as a brush to say you didn't like Pink Floyd.
John Joseph Lydon
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My favourite album by her is The Dreaming, and I think she produced that one herself. That got a lot of criticism - but I loved it. It was overloaded with textures, and tones and all manner of things. It’s a record that I still can play to this day, and still hear new things.
John Joseph Lydon -
I've been asked over the years to compile a list of desert-island discs. I couldn't do that. If I was trapped on a desert island, I don't think I'd want 10 songs to bring with me.
John Joseph Lydon -
If you can sort out why you feel the way you do then you might be in better shape to meet your maker.
John Joseph Lydon -
I've had great pleasure meeting the likes of Newt Gingrich and having a chat with the fellow on a staircase. I found him completely dishonest and totally likeable, because he doesn't care! He knows what a politician is, and he's a perfect embodiment of one.
John Joseph Lydon