Sex Pistols frontman JOHN LYDON has been accused of a racial attack on Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke at Barcelona’s Summercase Festival. Bloc Party’s management have explained that Okereke approach Lydon backstage to ask about a reunion of his post-Pistols band Public Image Ltd when:
“The Sex Pistols singer became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, 'your problem is your black attitude.' Kele was then set upon by three members of Lydon's crew who punched him in the face and head as well as attacking people who tried to protect Kele from the assault including Yannis Philippakis from Foals and Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson. The incident was broken up by festival security and was later reported to Spanish police. Kele also reported the incident to police in the UK after returning from Spain.”
Okereke stated:
“It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack, it is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily. Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes. I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot.”
Lydon’s statement tells a very different story:
“After the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands, this seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands. We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow.”
He added,
“I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening.” In Lydon's version of events, the Sex Pistols singer claims that, “trouble was brought us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security. If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into."
