BRITISH PUNK

Johnny Rotten claims Sex Pistols miniseries is 'disrespectful'

The Sex Pistols Experience, Hafen Rock 2016 in Hamburg. Photo: Frank Schwichtenberg under GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL)
Last week, television channel FX Networks announced a six-part miniseries that would "bring to life" the memoir of the band's guitarist Steve Jones.

Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten has claimed an upcoming series about the iconic British punk band was being created without his consent or contribution.

Rotten, whose real name is John Lydon, told he feared the series, which is being directed by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, was going to "try to destroy the reputation" of the band's legacy and it should be regarded as "no more than a piece of poison work."

Last week, television channel FX Networks announced a six-part miniseries, called 'Pistol,' would "bring to life" the memoir of the band's guitarist Steve Jones, called "Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol."

"I know nothing about that, nothing at all," Rotten said. "No effort has been made to assure me or ask for my contribution or involvement in any way, shape or form."

He added: "They're gonna fucking try to destroy the reputation of something so excellent. That is very dangerous what they've done here, and very disrespectful."

'Disgusted'

"We'll see, we'll see if they come round to us now and talk. But up to this point [I'm] disgusted, absolutely disgusted by the arrogance and ignorance of it."

A spokesperson for the channel stated that both the film-makers and Boyle contacted Rotten's management to tell him about the show.

The Sex Pistols were formed in London in 1975 and were responsible for initiating the punk movement in Britain.

The band originally consisted of Rotten, Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock, who was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977.