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Former Sex Pistols Frontman John Lydon Criticises Ozzy Osbourne

posted Mar 6, 2011 at 10:01 AM by Diamond Oz.  (36 Comments)

Photo of Ozzy Osbourne

Band Photo: Ozzy Osbourne (?)

John Lydon, the frontman of Public Image Ltd. and former vocalist of iconic punk rock legends the Sex Pistols, has hit out against Ozzy Osbourne for what he perceives to be an endorsement of drug abuse. Speaking to the Sunday Mercury while promoting his new book, "Mr Rotten’s Scrap Book," Lydon stated:

"'Paranoid' was one of the world’s greatest ever singles, but since then, the rumours of biting pigeon heads really, really haven’t impressed me. Ozzy now acting like a senile delinquent is equally unimpressive. The sly innuendo of promoting drug abuse and catatonic stupidity offends me.

"I’m not one for banning drugs. Quite the opposite. But I understand how to use them, and they don’t use me.

"Ozzy is clearly a victim, and selling that loser lifestyle shit to other people equally victimises them.

"That’s a shame. Ozzy’s a working class man, like me, yet he allows that to happen. By acting like he does all the time, he implies that we’re all stupid, the working classes. But we’re not, you know. We’re not! We’re the proper Britain, us lot."

Read the full article at Sunday Mercury.

What's Next?

36 Comments on "John Lydon Criticises Ozzy Osbourne"

Anonymous Reader

1. Anon writes:

Not so convinced that Ozzy is "selling" his lifestyle. Anyone who looks up to Ozzy as he is now is clearly a d***head and he can get what he deserves. I think seeing Ozzy would persuade most people against drugs, especially after seeing how great he used to be with Sabbath. Ozzy and his working class buddies still pretty much created heavy metal, you can't slate the working classes just because Ozzy is useless now; in fact it's quite the opposite! He was working class and was amazing, now he's rolling in dosh and he's clearly now a loser. Lydon isn't making any sense. A

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 11:34 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

2. Zontar The Munificent writes:

who the hell are The Sex Pistols???

;)

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 12:03 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Rychemn's avatar

Member

3. Rychemn writes:

^^^^Really????.....like that geico commercial....you do live under a rock.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 12:19 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
CorpusUpir's avatar

Member

4. CorpusUpir writes:

I do belive that Ozzy has a disease that makes him mumble and what not. It wasn't the drugs , and with all Ozzy's done I wouldn't call him a loser ( although I would call him p***ywhipped) seeing as Sharon makes all his choices like we all know. Hail the Ozzman and screw Johnny Rotten like he hasn't done his fair share of delinquent crap

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 12:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

5. Bruce writes:

That's the most retarded thing I've ever heard. And it's really depressing to know that people still won't let people take responsibility for their own actions. If you do drugs. It's your choice. You can't put the blame on someone else.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 1:19 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

6. R Tenney writes:

Considering Sex Pistols were an image created by M McDowell... Not sure where Johnny R. Gets off to be honest. With the exception of S. Jones band lacked any one with talent. Sid was welcomed to band for image! And Ozzy? Its to easy to bag on him nowadays. Since his ATV accident in 2000 he mentally hasn't been the same. No doubt Sharon guides his career at this point. Doesn't effect the mans legacy one bit ! The Osbourns have done a lot for metal in US. They put out Ozzfest in 97 when metal was as popular as a cleft palsted red headed step son in this country ! Kudos to them ! U want real punk listen to Ramones or The Stooges. Sex Pistols? Pfft!

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 1:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

7. Ramones SUCK writes:

God I hate the Ramones!!

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 2:01 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

8. R Tenney writes:

You hate music if u hate the Ramones chief! So simple but so f***ing infectious!

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 2:09 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

9. The Vicker writes:

Seems like someone needs to deal with his resentment issues. Ozzy is Ozzy and there is nothing phony about him. I notice he gives not one instance where Ozzy is supposedly promoting drug abuse.
Pot meet kettle

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 2:52 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

10. The Vicker writes:

@CorpusUpir . Of course Sharon makes his choices, its called being a "manager" just like your boss tells you what to do that is if you even have a job at not actually living off the public dole in which case I bet your mum orders you about instead.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 2:57 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. Ramones SUCK. writes:

The Ramones are an insult to music CHIEF!!!

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 3:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

12. R Tenney writes:

How so ? Ramones suck I'd be willing to hear your history of punk rock seeing you weren't there!

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 4:08 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

13. R Tenney writes:

You started out Ramones Suck by stating u hated them which I can accept. But to say they're an an embarrassment to punk and music is telling me your 21 and listen to Sum 41 and such. Seen the Clash kiddo ;@ the Ramones too. Come at me sweet heart with your expertise.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 4:24 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ATDAWNTHEYSLEEP's avatar

Member

14. ATDAWNTHEYSLEEP writes:

Get em Tenney

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 5:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Trendkill91's avatar

Member

15. Trendkill91 writes:

I agree with Ozzy, not this douchebag.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 6:14 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

16. deathbringer writes:

I hate when people start spouting off because they have a book or album to promote... Pick a target. Any target. Oh, Ozzy's an easy one...

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 6:49 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
hellrat's avatar

Member

17. hellrat writes:

ha! what a fvcking tosser...ozzy definitely sucks, but ol Johnny R just plain bites

just sour grapes from a fvcking sore geezer :)

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 7:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

18. Diamond Oz writes:

To be fair, if you read the interview, they go straight in at the bit where he's criticising Ozzy without saying what brought it on. Since he was in Birmingham while they interviewed him, they may have asked what he thought of Birmingham's musical background and used Ozzy as an example. There's no reason why he'd randomly launch into a rant against Ozzy without being led on. I've always thought Lydon is a very intelligent person, regardless of how the Sex Pistols were assembled, who was let in to the band etc. so it might be worth waiting to see what brought this on.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 9:07 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

19. R Tenney writes:

Your right oz. Not sure why John R. Is trashing the ozzman. We all know of the Sex Pistols history. Was it McDowell or Mclaren who created the entire S Pistol image? I forget which. I know it was Mc something. Ozzys such a easy target now which is quite sad IMHO

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 9:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

20. Diamond Oz writes:

McLaren, Malcolm McDowell is an actor best known for his role as Alex in A Clockwork Orange.

# Mar 6, 2011 @ 9:41 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Dying_Isis's avatar

Member

21. Dying_Isis writes:

P.I.L. >;>; anything Ozzy has ever done solo

and shame on ppl for not knowint the difference between an actor and a haberdasher/manager

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 12:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

22. Josh_of_Doom writes:

Mr Lydon makes a fair point. Years of drug and alcohol abuse can affect motor skills, as is the case with Mr Osborn.

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:22 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
IrishMetal's avatar

Member

23. IrishMetal writes:

Josh_of_Doom

Or, ya know, the whole ATV crash incident?

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:47 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
CorpusUpir's avatar

Member

24. CorpusUpir writes:

@ the Vicker - I do have a job and own my own business . My comment was not in resentment of Ozzy I love all he has done for the metal scene . I do know she's his manager but she's also his wife and in most cases the manager is not your boss they are your helper/organizer and the band calls the final shots. That is the reasoning for my comment as I doubt it was Ozzy's idea to do a commercial with a pop star (although I found it funny). So chill dude

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 8:24 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
RTB's avatar

Member

25. RTB writes:

Agreed 100% boss
idk why he picked ozzy, todays punching bag is bieber...but i guess not so in the UK..
RAMONES RULE

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 11:43 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

26. Blindgreed1 writes:

I think John just enjoys the attention. Like Oz said, he's smart enough to know exactly what he's doing and there's probably more to it.

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 12:38 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

27. Dyingfetus69 writes:

Sex pistols suck d i c k, johnny rotten has always been a fag. Unless he does a tour with Lil Wayne u gotta love one of the founding fathers of metal oZzy

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 12:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

28. metal in my veins pumping throught my brain writes:

no green day, no news to me than

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 1:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

29. Blindgreed1 writes:

^^^WTF??? Green Day??? Go fist yourself.

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 1:57 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

30. broken face writes:

No johnny dont like ozzy "selling" his life style but he can sell lurpack butter. WFT sell out man

# Mar 7, 2011 @ 5:30 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

31. Miss_Mayhem writes:

John Lydon has criticized everyone and their mother out there, it's no surprise he picked Ozzy. Like everyone else has been saying, Ozzy is an easy target to pick.

# Mar 8, 2011 @ 7:02 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

32. thatguy writes:

johnny rotten is a nobody. a telentless hack that was picked up off the street because he had a certain look about him. the sex pistols made one album, a somewhat solid album but one album nonetheless, they proved nothing. the misfits are a far more iconic band as far as punk goes and deserve a lot more recognition than these jackholes. ozzy probably doesnt even know who john lydon "rotten" is , a filthy peon in comparison to ozzy osbourne. i dont like the exploitation of ozzy on tv only because of the pop culture status he has now. best buy commercials with justin beber? ozzy is supposed to be evil joe.

# Mar 8, 2011 @ 12:05 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

33. Dehumanizer writes:

Ozzy sang great with Sabbath & his first 3 solo albums rocked as well. His last 3 albums & new stuff suck bad.
Ozzy needs to take off the eyeliner & be Ozzy not Marilyn Manson, it looks stupid.
Ozzy set trends, now he is following them.

# Mar 8, 2011 @ 2:37 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

34. Ozz_Angel_1391 writes:

punk blows period and like John Lydon is any better. u see that f*** nowadays? looks like a old sh** on dirty leather bag, Ozzy looks better and sounds better than him. f*** John Lydon if anything he gives Brits a bad name

# Mar 11, 2011 @ 3:33 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Jackrum's avatar

Supporter

35. Jackrum writes:

Id rather have a pint with J. Rotten than ozzy..

in regard to the post above..

John Lydon giving brits a bad name?? not really, irish immigrant parents, grew up in finsbury park, an area of london known as a s*** hole. can play violin, saxaphone bass, guitar keyboard and synths..

Since leaving the sex pistols he has made a fortune in property development..

HOW THE HELL DOES THAT GIVE BRITS A BAD NAME!


do quote many brits.. Do One!

# Mar 11, 2011 @ 4:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

36. ozzyrules writes:

100 million albums and still counting nuff said

# Mar 15, 2011 @ 9:33 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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