Bloc Party Frontman In A Fist Fight With Sex Pistols Legend
Posted by Mitch Michaels on 07.22.2008
Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, Johnny Rotten and others involved in a brawl sparked by racist remarks...
Details are coming to light today about a brawl between Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and the Sex Pistols' John Lydon (ne Johnny Rotten), as well as members of Lydon's entourage. The altercation took place backstage Saturday at Spain's Summercase festival.
Okereke, who describes the fight as an "unprovoked racist attack," endured "severe facial bruising" and a "split lip." He says he approached Lydon backstage at Summercase to ask if he'd ever reunite with Public Image Ltd., one of Okereke's favorite bands.
But according to Okereke, Lydon then "became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'Your problem is your black attitude.'"
A fight quickly ensued between Okereke and three members of Lydon's entourage, with Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson and Foals lead singer Yannis Philippakis becoming embroiled as well. Festival security broke things up but the altercation was reported to both Spanish and U.K. police.
"It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack, it is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily," Okereke says in a statement. "Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialize with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes. I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."
Lydon is blaming the entire incident on "jealousy," saying in a statement that "When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow. If they need publicity so badly, this is the allegation universe they run into."
The artist further says that Okereke should "grow up and learn to be a true man. When you have achieved as much as I have, come back and talk to me. It's a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this."
Posted By: Guest#8025 (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Respected and intelligent? The Sex Pistols sucked and Rotten is one of the world's biggest douchebags.
Posted By: Chris Connolly (Registered) on July 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I wouldn't put anything past Johnny Rotten. That guy's nuts.
Posted By: BJC (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 12:57 PM
ha! John Lydon accusing someone of chasing publicity? That's rich...
Posted By: Guest#1252 (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Bloc Party have already achieved more international success and produced more records than the Sex Pistols. At least Bloc Party are touring on the strength of their current release, not living off an album from 30+ years ago.
Posted By: DekLon 3000 (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 02:01 PM
lydons an idiot, bloc party don't need publicity, the pistols had the punk attitude but the music was second rate at best compared to the likes of the ramones and new york dolls. bloc party have created many amazing tracks with different styles which is something lydon could only dream of, its not call to be a racist punk at any age but being one at 50 just makes him look like more of an idiot
Posted By: jacish23 (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 02:54 PM
So it seems Americans aren't the only racists in the world then..
Posted By: Propagandhi (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 03:10 PM
Rotten has always been a douchebag. He needs a serious ass beating for this last one.
Posted By: seandroid (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 04:07 PM
If ANY of you were ALIVE when the Sex Pistols were around, you would know this is STANDARD JOHNNY ROTTEN. Right now he is laughing at that moron Okereke and the others. Once again people are talking about Johnny Rotten. Proving once again that we are ALL whores. =)
Posted By: CM Wolf (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Rotten has always been all about people not liking him. He's really good at it to. I think he's a fucking dick. But if he wants to turn the fans away from him why did he agree to a record deal?
If he had to make fun of the guy, why didn't he make fun of the music.
Posted By: the dude (Guest) on July 22, 2008 at 07:11 PM
"Right now he is laughing at that moron Okereke and the others."
Uh huh, despite being only revelent in the 70's and STILL not making as much money then as BP is now.
Posted By: Guest#6693 (Guest) on July 24, 2008 at 04:02 PM
