Johnny Rotten to Receive Icon Award
Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, known as Johnny Rotten, is set to be honored by music rights organization BMI for his musical contributions. According to Reuters, Lydon will be awarded the organization’s Icon Award at a gala on October 15th in London.
“John Lydon is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world,” said Del Bryant, BMI president and CEO, in a statement.
15 Rock & Roll Rebels: The Sex Pistols
The singer has previously rejected other similar honors, memorably likening the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to a “piss stain” in 2006, but posted news about the BMI award on his website.
The Sex Pistols rose to fame in the 1970s with their anarchic and expletive-rich songs, and are credited with launching punk rock in Britain. The band’s 1977 LP Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols led to an obscenity trial and would become the Sex Pistols’ only studio album.
Lydon left the band in 1978 to form Public Image Ltd. That band broke up in the 1990s, but got back together in 2009. Most recently, Lydon performed at last month’s Glastonbury festival.