199. Public Image Ltd.

Is it wrong for us to see this band get inducted just to see what kind of letter John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) would write to the Hall next? Seriously, when our little committee got together that topic was all we could talk about for an hour. With that said, though Public Image Ltd., will never approach the legacy of Lydon’s first band, the Sex Pistols, is it possible that PIL was actually a better group than the Pistols?

Whether you agree with the above statement (and for the record, we did 3 to 2), it seemed that John Lydon probably though so. After the Sex Pistols disbanded Lydon was able to assemble a group he wanted, and rather than carry on Punk, Public Image Ltd., created a rich music that was influenced by Reggae, Pop and the ashes of the Punk sound that Lydon helped build. Critics and fans alike seemed to either love it or hate it, and even those who found it pretentious had a difficult time arguing over the ambition that PIL’s music was attempting to do. Public Image Ltd was not as widely heard as the Sex Pistols and that will probably give the Hall enough of a reason to avoid inducting John Lydon twice and having him call them a “piss stain” for a second time.

FilmStrip Rock.Public Image Ltd

Should Public Image Ltd. be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 56.3%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 18.8%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 15.6%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 9.4%

The Bullet Points

Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 2004
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Los Angeles, CA)
Why they will get in: They were a very important band in Alternative Music history.
Why they won't get in: John Lydon. Enough said.
Essential Albums: Public Image (1978)
Metal Box (1979)
Album (1986)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Public Image (From Public Image, 1978)
Theme (From Public Image, 1978)
Albatross (From Metal Box, 1979)
Death Disco (Single, 1979)
Rise (From Album, 1986)