John Lydon Accused of Racist Attack

Posted Mon 21 Jul 2008 1:05PM BST by Mitch Carter in The Guestlist

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke suffered facial bruising and a split lip following an alleged racist attack by Sex Pistols singer John Lydon at Barcelona's Summercase festival on Saturday.

Okereke, claims the attack took place after he attempted to engage Lydon in conversation backstage however Lydon became "intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade, including the statement, 'your problem is your black attitude'." Three members of Lydon's staff then allegedly attacked Okereke.

Several other musicians witnessed the fight including Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson who was said to have intervened in the brawl. Spanish and UK police are now thought to be investigating the incident.

Lydon made the headlines last month for his verbal attack on Welsh pop startlet Duffy at London's prestigious Mojo Awards. He is also being sued by a female assistant who he allegedly punched in the face during a frenzied argument over accommodation at a five-star Los Angeles hotel.

299 Comments

61. PHILLIP - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:48PM BST

I think Lydon is oft misquoted and sensationalised. Lets wait and see shall we? I am sure the full story will emerge in time and maybe the boot will be on the other foot (figuratively speaking of course)

Joe Public

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62. andrew - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:49PM BST

here,here king.wol....well spotted.

63. jazzflower - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:51PM BST

wat a nice bloke!!! not!

64. A - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:51PM BST

I recently saw the Pistols at a concert and do ya know what! it's got to be said 'talentless'. I realise that my having listened to and liked their stuff in the 70's does not make them talented.... it was just a time and a place... I was young and they had something going on. He is what he is and I'm not excusing any of his behaviour but a scorpion stings not because it hates the world but just simply because it is a scorpion. Someone just tread on him eh!

65. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:52PM BST

It seems it doesn't take an awful lot to upset this man's rather over-inflated ego, doesn't it? He's certainly no advocate of "live and let live". It's just a shame his self-belief is fed ever more by endless reporting of his bad behaviour (much worse than a stroppy, rebellious teen, in my humble opinion) by the press. Don't give him any publicity, THEN see how he likes it...

66. JIMMY MAKUNGWA - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:53PM BST

It's only almighty God who knows,we are all the same.

67. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:53PM BST

he is an asshall, a prick, shameless racist. as ugly as his heart. an uneducated brute. he should accept reality in the sense that the world is changing and things are happening fast. this is a world of change. he shoul learn that it the brains and not the colour thart counts nowadays. no wonder why he is a failure together with the rest of his barbarians of a group.

68. JOHN - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:53PM BST

"THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD"
John W.

69. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:54PM BST

Sounds like someone wound him up! But for the Bloc Party frontman to play the race-card, regardless of what might have been said in the heat of the moment, is 'very last year'...
Yawn oh yawn...

70. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:54PM BST

I don't believe John is racist - he had a coloured guy in his band Public Image Limited. However he's nobody's fool, and it's more likely some stupid remark sparked things off. And more than likely completely blown out of proportion by the media.

Keep on rockin' Johnny you're the best!

71. FIONA - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:56PM BST

Hey - maybe he had a reason for becoming 'intimidating and aggressive'. Somone's attitude really pissed him off. Sorry, we can't all be 'sensitive' and not saying anything in case in hurts someone's feelings .....

72. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:58PM BST

just a has been,that now makes his living by acting like a tit.

73. A - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:58PM BST

up the i r a .

74. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:59PM BST

moyross

75. ALAN - Mon 21 Jul 2008 2:59PM BST

this is the god of punk fancy a pint john!

76. ROBERT - Mon 21 Jul 2008 3:00PM BST

The article says his entourage said, but everyone believes its john. If he said it he deserves everything he gets, if it wasnt him leave him alone. As for those of you with the wonderful grasp of english profanity if thats all you have to say why leave a comment as it makes you look as intellectually subnormal as he likes people to think he was.

77. MARK - Mon 21 Jul 2008 3:02PM BST

i find it hade to believe geezer must be nearer 60 than 50...is it the newspapers makin it up as they go along again??..or Kele cant stand up for himself against an OAP...LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONCLUSION..

78. GEORGE - Mon 21 Jul 2008 3:04PM BST

yes John does come off as an [profane] (if you have read a book about punk, some of the things he has stated make him out to be a wanker) but it's an act that he's carried on through the years.

I don't think he's a "has been", he's been there done that got the t-shirt. All these other bands don't really know what's going on around them

79. jp_gumby - Mon 21 Jul 2008 3:08PM BST

Wether he's racist or not (although i doubt that he is.He is however a PRICK!

80. Yahoo! Music User - Mon 21 Jul 2008 3:08PM BST

Is Kele Okereke black or not? Was John Lydon stating a fact or not? Was it John Lydon's entourage that made comments or not? I am thoroughly pissed-off at "people of colour" :)) playing the racist card - can't one have a dispute with a "person of colour" without it having anything to do with the colour their skin happens to be? The majority of rap stars have a great deal to answer for regarding the way black people are perceived in society.

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