Punk legend John Lydon has publicly revealed his deep hurt after his former Sex Pistols bandmates did not contact him following the death of his beloved wife, Nora Foster. Lydon, 69, lost his spouse of 44 years in April 2023 after her long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
A Painful Silence from Former Friends
In a candid interview with The Times, the man once known as Johnny Rotten said he heard nothing from fellow Sex Pistols members Steve Jones, Paul Cook, or Glen Matlock after Nora's passing. "I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing," Lydon stated. This silence adds another layer to the long-running feud that has existed between Lydon and the group since their acrimonious split in 1978, a dispute that has often centred on Lydon's attempts to block the band's music from being used in television shows.
While Jones, Cook, and Matlock have since toured together with Frank Carter performing vocals, Lydon has been navigating a world of profound grief. He admitted in the interview that he became suicidal after Nora's death. "You have to consider all the possibilities because that kind of pain is so overwhelming," he confessed.
Grief, Rage, and a Love Story
Lydon had been Nora's full-time carer during her five-year illness, drawing widespread public sympathy for his devotion. He previously described to The Telegraph the agonising nature of her final moments. Recalling a critical decision about prolonging her life, he said, "I couldn't say 'yes, stop'. No, I fought for her life as hard as she fought for it."
The singer described his subsequent struggle, telling Metro he had "wallowed in alcohol and sadness and self-pity" but has since begun to emerge from that darkness. He spoke of the complex emotions of bereavement, warning that one must harness rage to avoid becoming a "sympathetic doddering old idiot."
Lydon first met Nora in 1975 at a Vivienne Westwood boutique, describing an instant attraction. He had always maintained he "always loved" her.
A Legacy of Controversy and Division
The Sex Pistols, who formed in 1975, shot to notoriety with their anti-establishment anthem 'God Save The Queen' and their only studio album, Never Mind the B******s, before splitting in 1978. Lydon then formed Public Image Ltd (PiL), which he has led in various line-ups for over four decades.
Known for his provocative statements, Lydon has previously made headlines for comments on immigration and famously walked out of the I'm A Celebrity... jungle in 2004. The current rift with his former bandmates underscores a personal and professional schism that, for Lydon, has been painfully emphasised by personal tragedy.
