Punk icon John Lydon has made a heartbreaking revelation, claiming his former Sex Pistols bandmates failed to contact him following the death of his beloved wife, Nora Forster.
A Painful Silence in Grief
John Lydon, the legendary frontman known as Johnny Rotten, has said he received no message of condolence from his fellow Sex Pistols members when his wife passed away. Nora Forster, whom Lydon married in 1979, died in April 2023 after a battle with Alzheimer's. Lydon had been her full-time carer for two years prior to her death.
In a raw and emotional new interview with The Times, Lydon expressed his disappointment, particularly expecting to hear from guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook. The musicians are currently performing together with Frank Carter, effectively replacing Lydon.
"I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing," Lydon stated bluntly. The Independent has contacted representatives for The Sex Pistols for comment regarding these claims.
Navigating Loss and a Lifelong Partnership
Speaking just two months after Forster's passing, Lydon confessed that coping with the loss had been far more difficult than he anticipated. The singer, now 69, admitted he likes to keep Nora's ashes in a cupboard next to his bed, stating there is "no expectancy of meeting her in this life again."
He reflected on the unique strength of their nearly 50-year relationship, which weathered the storms of his very public life. "I have seen relationships crash around me, especially when fame is involved, and I cannot help but think people were too flippant about their life partners," Lydon mused.
He credited their enduring bond to honesty, even during conflict. "Nora and I argued a great deal, but the arguments were so stunning that they made life worthwhile, and we were always honest and open about everything," he shared.
Blasting the 'Pistol' Biopic and Moving Forward
Elsewhere in the wide-ranging interview, Lydon did not hold back his criticism of Danny Boyle's 2022 Sex Pistols biopic series, 'Pistol', which he described as "terrible." Boyle had previously stated he did not want Lydon to like the project, a stance Lydon interpreted as pure spite.
"What kind of ambition is that?" Lydon questioned. "It sounds like an act of spite rather than any character understanding." He expressed disappointment that he was not consulted for the show, remarking, "I don't like anything to do with it because I wasn't asked to contribute."
Since his initial departure from The Sex Pistols in 1979, Lydon has focused on his work with the band Public Image Ltd (PiL). He did sporadically reunite with the Sex Pistols for tours during the 1990s and 2000s, but his latest comments highlight a deep and personal rift that appears to extend far beyond musical differences.
