John Lydon Shares That Sex Pistols Members Didn’t Contact Him After His Wife Nora Passed Away: ‘I Hoped for Some Support’

Nora Forster and John Lydon.
Credit:

Brian Rasic/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon says his bandmates did not reach out after his wife’s death.
• Lydon expressed disappointment, saying, “I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing.”
• The Sex Pistols are currently on tour without Lydon, performing with Gallows frontman Frank Carter as their lead singer.

In an interview with The Times published on December 26, John Lydon, the former frontman of the Sex Pistols, revealed that his former bandmates did not offer support following the death of his wife, Nora Forster, who passed away earlier this year due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. The couple, married in 1979, shared a 44-year union.

“I expected some kind of connection when Nora died, but nothing,” Lydon said, referring to guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook.

Nora Forster and John Lydon.

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Lydon, who is better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, had described his experience as a caregiver for Forster in a prior interview. He stated that he had assumed the role of her “full-time carer” during her illness. His official social media account announced her passing on April 6, 2023.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Nora Forster – John Lydon’s wife of nearly five decades – has passed away,” the announcement read. “Nora had been living with Alzheimer’s for several years, during which time John had become her full-time carer.”

The message concluded with a request for privacy: “Please respect John’s grief and allow him space. Rest in Peace Nora. Heartfelt condolences to John from Rambo and all at PiL Official.”

Lydon’s comments come as the rest of the Sex Pistols continue to tour with Frank Carter in his place. Tensions have escalated between Lydon and his former bandmates; he recently referred to their current tour as “karaoke” during an interview with The i Paper.

The Sex Pistols.

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“When I first heard that the Sex Pistols were touring this year without me, it pissed me off,” Lydon said. “It annoyed me. I just thought, ‘They’re absolutely going to kill all that was good with the Pistols by eliminating the point and the purpose of it all.’ I didn’t write those words lightly.”

He added, “They’re trying to trivialize the whole show to get away with karaoke, but in the long term, I think you’ll see who has the value and who doesn’t. I’ve never sold my soul to make a dollar.”