John Lydon has distanced himself from the forthcoming re-release of the Sex Pistols‘ classic single ‘God Save The Queen‘, which is to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Upon its original release in 1977, ‘God Save The Queen’ caused a nationwide stir with its strong anti-establishment message flying in the face of the outpouring of celebration which greeted that summer’s Silver Jubilee.
And as the frontman of the Sex Pistols, John Lydon quickly became seen as the chief spokesman for a disaffected youth who embraced the song’s alternative sentiment. However, with ‘God Save The Queen’ now set for another release on May 28th, Lydon has moved to ‘strongly distance himself’ from a new campaign to get the single to number one.
“I would like to very strongly distance myself from the recent stories and campaign to push God Save The Queen for the number one spot over the jubilee weekend,” he said. “It is certainly not my personal plan or aim.”
“I am proud of what the Sex Pistols achieved and always will be but this campaign totally undermines what the Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign.”
“I am pleased that the Sex Pistols recordings are being put out there for a new generation, however I wish for no part in the circus that is being built up around it.”
‘God Save The Queen’ will be re-issued on the same week Lydon’s new Public Image Ltd. album ‘This Is PiL‘ also hits the shelves.