Punk pioneer John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten is to be recognised and honoured for his contribution to music at the BMI music industry awards on Tuesday, 15th October, at London’s Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane, following in the footsteps of such music luminaries as Bryan Ferry and Ray Davies.

The former Sex Pistols frontman will receive the Icon Award at the BMI ( British Music Industry ) Awards, a rare award only bestowed upon songwriters who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers”. There is no doubt that John Lydon richly deserves this BMI Award, because the Sex Pistols had a seminal influence on music from 1976 onwards with their iconic album “Never Mind The Bollocks”. This album was a game changer and shaped the punk and new wave movement that quickly followed in its wake.

Of course the New York Dolls, The Ramones, The Stranglers and The Clash played their part in the punk and new wave movement, but the release of the album “Never Mind The Bollocks” was the watershed moment when the dam was breached, to deliberately mix metaphors!! The release of the anti-establishment album “Never Mind The Bollocks” could not have been timed better, coming in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year of 1977. Infact having released “Anarchy in the UK” as a single earlier in the year, the second single from “Never Mind The Bollocks”, the ironic “God Save The Queen” peaked at No2 in the very week of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in June 1977.

Noel Gallagher recently said in an in an interview that he would happily give up every song he had ever written to have created something as influential and powerful as “Never Mind The Bollocks”. High praise indeed from the High Priest of Song Writing!! Although the life of the Sex Pistols was short lived, disbanding in 1979, John Lydon cemented his place in music culture with the work he did subsequently with Public Image Ltd ( PIL ).

Del Bryant, the president of BMI, probably best sums things up when he said: “John Lydon is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world. We are very pleased to recognise his impact on popular culture and his outstanding musical contributions with the BMI Icon Award.”

There is always a strange irony when one time anti-establishment rebels come in from the cold, to be embraced by the Establishment, but the bottom line is that John Lydon and his persona Johnny Rotten represent the good old fashioned British eccentric, who we admire and love!! God Save Johnny Rotten!!

As a reminder of the brilliance of Johhny Rotten / John Lydon, here’s the Record Press Top 5 Best Sex Pistols Songs –

Top 5 Best Sex Pistols Songs

1) Pretty Vacant ( 1977 )

2) Holidays in the Sun ( 1977 )

3) God Save The Queen ( 1977 )

4) My Way ( 1978 )

5) Anarchy in the UK ( 1976 )

Which are your favourite Sex Pistols songs and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Sex Pistols song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Sex Pistols song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!