While known for his time in the hit band Sex Pistols, John Lydon also explored a career as a solo artist and even an actor. For those who might not know, he also appeared on an episode of Judge Judy. She ended up ruling in his favor. But outside of his life on the stage, he was a husband to Nora Forster. Having been married for over 40 years, Lydon sadly lost his wife in 2023. And while he still performed, Lydon admitted that some fans suggested he was profiting off of the death of his wife.
Videos by American Songwriter
Back in 2018, Forster was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Battling the disease over the next five years, the illness eventually took her life. Spending the last few years taking care of his wife, Lydon eventually returned to the stage. But instead of singing, he offered a show that had him recounting stories of his past. Speaking with Louder, he said, “There’s nothing quite like standing up on a stage completely alone, the shit fear of it. I’ve no script, nothing… And I f**king love it.”
Letting the show unfold without a script, Lydon seemed to love the freedom the spoken-word show offered. But for some fans, they weren’t too thrilled. “The reception’s not always favorable. There are some real haters who travel miles, buy tickets, just to come in and say ‘yah boo sucks’ to nanny.”
John Lydon Still Hears His Wife “Shouting” Inside His Head
With some irate fans more than willing to sit behind a keyboard and hurl insults at musicians and singers, one showed up to Lydon’s show to criticize him. “At one gig somebody stood up while I was talking about my childhood, and said, ‘Isn’t it true you’re trying to profiteer off the death of your wife?’”
Having such horrible words thrown at him, the statement stuck with Lydon as he continued the show. But never forgetting, he insisted, “That’s evil, beyond any concept I can relate to.”
While only a few years passed since Lydon lost Forster, he described how she remained close to him. And the singer lost more than just Forster as his tour manager John Stevens and uncle also passed. “The juxtaposition of tragedies – how can I handle them all? I just have to let it flood over me. And it does. Every single night. I can hear every one of them, every now and again shouting inside my head. ‘Oh, Johnsies, that song is awful!’ from Nora… You have whole conversations, and you’re not faking them – the dialogue just pops up automatically.”
Not letting the criticism and horrible comments pull him down, Lydon continued his shows and keep the memory of those he lost close to his heart.
(Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.