Performance · Production
John Lydon
also recorded as Johnny Rotten
real name John Joseph Lydon
John Lydon is credited on 1,099 releases across 310 albums tracked on Gatefold, active 1979–2025 — the collector-built map of who actually made the music.
1,099
Credits
310
Albums
6
Decades active
475
In collections
Biography
Showing the Discogs bio
Singer and lyricist (born 31 January 1956 in London, UK).
Best known for his work as lead singer initially of the Sex Pistols (using the name Johnny Rotten), then secondly under his real name in Public image Limited (or "PIL" for short).
His work with the Sex Pistols is recognised as being the lead UK band for the emerging late-1970's punk scene, especially in the UK.
Continually throughout his career, has been very outspoken about his dislike for so-called authority figures or institutions; whether monarchy, political, or religious. Most of his tracks have featured his objections vehemently to these and other issues. When appearing with bandmates on British TV in the late 1970's to early 1980's, usually had little time for the presenters; often walking out halfway through any interview, due to being paraded as some kind of hate figure.
In the early 1980's he was forced to leave the UK after repeated raids by the Police on anywhere he and band PIL tried to play. This unfair and unlawful intrusion by another state institution that at the time could get away with such malicious actions, meant moving to the US for the following 25 years, where he could live and work normally.
He continues to live in Los Angeles, USA. As of early 2010, currently re-touring with a reformed PIL.
Married to Nora Forster (6 November 1942 – 6 April 2023), stepfather to singer Ariane Forster (aka Ari-Up), and brother of Jimmy Lydon and Martin Lydon.
Bio from Discogs
Credited work
1,099 releases · 310 albums · active 1979–2025
- Performance · 2,097
- Production · 286
- Other credits · 182
- Engineering · 47
Studios: Park South Studios · The Manor · Advision Studios · Sound City Studios
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.

Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols
1977

Public Image (First Issue)
1978

Album
1986

Leftism
1995

Metal Box
1979

The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle
1979

The Flowers Of Romance
1981

This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get
1984

World Destruction
1984

Cereal Killer Soundtrack
1993

As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2
2002

The Greatest Hits, So Far
1990

9
1989

Happy?
1987

Nouvelle Vague
2004

Hackers (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1996

Visions Of Excess
1985

This Is Not A Love Song
1983

Everything Louder Forever
2021

Open Up
1993

Death Disco
1979

Anarchy In The U.K.
1976

Morgöth Tales
2023

Three Men And A Baby
2016
Frequent collaborators
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