John Lydon has been a solo artist for a while now and he has a message for his former bandmates at the Sex Pistols amid Queen Elizabeth II's death; did the band cross the line with one of their massive hits to date?
According to the New York Post, the rocker issued a statement telling fans that he doesn't want to be associated with any Sex Pistols activity as they attempt to "cash in" on the longest-reigning monarch's passing. The singer was referring to their hit song "God Save the Queen" whose credits include him as a co-writer.
He added that the timing of the band's requests for "commercial gain" in connection with the track is "tasteless and disrespectful" to Her Majesty and members of the royal family as they continue to mourn the death of the leader.
The Sex Pistols Hits Back at John Lydon's Recent Statement
It didn't take a while for Sex Pistols to take a dig at their former bandmate by releasing their own statement, saying they don't know what he's talking about.
"Other than a couple requests for use of imagery or audio in news reports on The Queen and her impact on culture, there's nothing new relating to 'God Save The Queen' being promoted or released in any way," the band told Deadline.
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A spokesperson for the group added that the comments made by the former member amounted to a "strange rant" which they consider "baffling."
Sex Pistols' 'God Save The Queen' Meaning Explained
According to Song Facts, the track is all about rebelling against the politics in the United Kingdom as the then-new generation felt "alienated" with the old rules imposed by the monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II being their symbol.
In a previous interview, Lydon said he expressed his personal thoughts on how he views the monarchy and "on anybody that begs your obligation with no thought."
In addition, the representative clarified that the band is not planning to release or promote anything regarding the song and the Queen's death.
The hit song was released on June 7, 1977, the same day the monarch celebrated her Silver Jubilee, marking her 25th year as the Queen after her father's death in 1952.
The track managed to top the charts despite the controversial meaning behind it. The outlet noted that "God Save The Queen" outsold Rod Stewart's "I Don't Want To Talk About It."
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