Sex Pistol singer John Lydon to reform Public Image

LONDON (Reuters) - Punk rock singer John Lydon, formerly known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, is re-forming his band Public Image Ltd -- or PiL -- after a 17 year hiatus with a five-date tour in December, according to media reports.

Lydon told Britain's Guardian newspaper that the influential band he created in 1978, a year after the disintegration of the Sex Pistols, and which lasted for 14 years, would reform with a new line-up.

He said the new-look PiL will not contain original band members Jah Wobble or former Clash guitarist Keith Levene but will feature guitarist Lu Edmonds, drummer Bruce Smith and a new arrival, multi-instrumentalist Scott Firth.

PiL, which had chart success with singles such as "Public Image" and "This Is Not a Love Song," will start its tour on December 15 in Birmingham. The band is also launching a new website (www.pilofficial.com).

"We'll see where we can go," 53-year-old Lydon told the newspaper. "Some things may be quite similar, some may not."

Lydon reunited with other members of the Sex Pistols last year for a series of gigs to mark the 30th anniversary of the band's seminal album "Never Mind The Bollocks."

But Lydon, who became a figurehead of the short-lived punk revolution in England in 1970s with his anti-establishment stance and attacks on Britain's class system and the monarchy, appears to have mellowed in recent years.

He starred in British reality TV show "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here" in 2004, has hosted a few animal documentaries, and also starred in an advertisement for butter wearing a tweed-suit.

He also has no tolerance for noisy, opinionated youngsters any more, it seems.

"Younger people at the moment are very mouthy and aggressive," Lydon told the Guardian.

John Lydon has now shocked fans by announcing that PiL will come out of hiatus for a new tour. Playing 'Metal Box in its entirety the singer will be joined by by The Damned guitarist Lu Edmonds, former Slits drummer Bruce Smith and bassist Scott Firth - none of whom played on the actual album.

Public Image Limited have confirmed the following dates:

December
15 Birmingham O2 Academy
16 Leeds O2 Academy
18 Glasgow O2 Academy
19 Manchester Academy
21 London O2 Academy Brixton