"Heart and soul of Albion"

I wonder why John Lydon is trawling round the states with PiL. I've heard his wife is rich, he ain't short of a few bob and on Tuesday the club he played in was half full. But he gave his all played a shit hot set.

PiL were a big band for me in the mid eighties. I got disappointed in their U2 stadium rock in the early nineties but seeing the 'Reformation' gig in Birmingham last year, I'm getting into it all again. And after reading people's accounts of meeting old Johnny 'two nore' Rotten I'm beginning to admire the man again. Yea, butter commercials and all!

Is everyone who's vital destined to become a caracature I wonder? I've seen Iggy Pop several times over the years, and one night ran my fingers through his sweaty hair as he stuck his face in the crowd and I was at the front moshing about as good as I can mosh. I thought I'd touched the hem of a punk god.

Now I drive down the road and if I'm following a bus I see him, mr Stooge, advertising moter insurance with his craggy mug plastered across the back. It's like Johnny and his butter isn't it? The sell out. We hate it, but it happens.

In 1993 I saw Jerry Lee Lewis, the greatest piano rocker, fifties pioneer and hell-bound hedonist, play at Butlins holiday camp. Hi De Fucking Hi and great balls of fire. What was he doing there?

Earning his living. Just like Johnny and Iggy and, cummon, let's face it, me - when I played Lady In Red (for the first and last time) at that wedding reception in 2006. Of course, I felt dirty afterwards, but like Iggy and Johnny it helped keep me off the scrounger's list and away from a real job. I suppose.

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Look at this nice calming shot of the country club. See that guy on the boat? He's not sitting in some dadoed room watching the Eastenders Omnibus with his life. Love on him!

Mind, this guy isn;t watching soaps either. He's in on of the most souless pubs in Wolverhapton drinking beer through a straw.

The Primitves, by the way, were bloody excellent, I had a superb night. And a superb meal beforehand at some Thai resturant. I'd seen a band every night that weekend, Friday Saturday and Sunday, so check me out for the party animal!