1997 Chronology
Research by Karsten Roekens and Scott M, plus contributors…
JANUARY
The first issue of Sex Pistols & PiL fanzine: 'The Filth and The Fury!' is published. The fanzine will eventually spawn this website; amongst many other things…
FEBRUARY
'Q Magazine' feature PiL guitarist John McGeoch in its 'Where are they Now' section. A quote from McGeoch claims he has formed a new band called Pacific featuring former Spandau Ballet drummer John Keeble and former When In Rome guitarist Clive Farrington. McGeoch also claims he is still officially a member of PiL, but is happy with Pacific and "hopes it will evolve".
FEBRUARY
Reports that John Lydon's solo album, which will be titled 'Psycho's Path', is a nearing release via Virgin Records.
FEBRUARY 28
The last 'Rotten Day' radio show is broadcast on US radio. Lydon now turns his attention towards television…
MARCH 20
John Lydon's 'Psycho's Path' is released in Japan; several months before anywhere else. This version of the album features alternative versions of 'Another way' and 'Armies', plus a different mix of 'Stump' (see Lydon discography for full info). Read F&F review here.
Also see the JohnLydon.Com 'Psycho's Path' Mini-Site.
MARCH 28
NBC, 'Time and Again', USA - Clips from PiL's appearance on 'The Tomorrow Show' 1980 are shown as part of a retrospective on the Sex Pistols.
APRIL 21
'Addicted To Noise' website - John Lydon interview.
MAY
'The Filth and The Fury!' - Sex Pistols & PiL fanzine (F&F #2). PiL related articles include reviews of PiL Bootleg CD reviews, plus info on 'Psycho's Path'.
MAY 15
The promotional release of the video for 'Sun'. Which will be the first (and only) single taken from John Lydon's 'Psycho's Path' album.
Filmed in San Diego, and based on saucy British seaside postcards, the video was produced and directed by David Jackson; and edited by Hans Fjellestad. David Jackson and Lydon have previously worked together. With Jackson designing the stage sets and lights for various PiL tours throughout the eighties; as well as the Sex Pistols 'Filthy Lucre' tour.
MAY 20
ABC, 'Politically Incorrect', USA - John Lydon is a guest on the topical debate show. Other guests include Ronald Regan's son and Venessa Redgrave.
MAY 23
'The Late Show with Tom Snyder', USA - John Lydon interview. Nearly 20 years later John and Tom Snyder come face to face again! This interview is far less aggressive than the last. With Snyder explaining his previous actions; and John, quite unusually, talking about his private life.
JUNE 9
Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart release the album 'The Celtic Poets' (see wobble discography for full info). This is the first release from his own 30 Hertz Records, founded earlier in the year. The album, which includes various guest spoken word contributions, is far less commercial than his Island Records material. Now Wobble has his own label, he can do as he pleases…
JUNE
The first ever John Lydon solo tour is announced. 32 dates covering North America and Japan. The tour will start on August 3rd and run to September 30th. Or at least it should have… See the JohnLydon.Com 'Psycho's Path' Mini-Site for more info.
JUNE 21
'Billboard' Magazine, USA - John Lydon interview.
JUNE 28
CBC FM, Canada, 'Realtime' - John Lydon interview and phone in.
JULY 1
The release of 'Psycho's Path' in UK and USA. John Lydon's long awaited first solo album. John plays, writes and co-produces all tracks himself. A solo album in the real sense of the word. Various additional remixes (which were not on the Japanese release) are added as bonus tracks. (see Lydon discography for full info). Read F&F review here.
Also see the JohnLydon.Com 'Psycho's Path' Mini-Site.
JULY 9
The release of Andrea Thorn's 'Sex Pistols: Fully Illustrated Book & Interview Disc'. The CD/book features a 1994 John Lydon interview disc; along with some PiL pix. Read F&F review here.
JULY
'Select Magazine' - John Lydon interview. He states: "I will be opening PiL up again, probably next year."
JULY
'Spunk Sister' website - Former PiL bassist Pete Jones interview.
JULY 4
'The Times', UK review 'Psycho's Path'.
JULY
'NME' & 'Melody Maker' both review 'Psycho's Path'.
JULY 12
'NME' - John Lydon interview.
JULY 19
'The Irish Post' - Jah Wobble interview regarding his 'Celtic Poets' album.
JULY 21
The release of 'Sun'. The first (and only) single taken from John Lydon's 'Psycho's Path' album. It peaks at number 42 in the UK charts (see Lydon discography for full info). Read F&F review here.
JULY
'Mojo Magazine' review 'Psycho's Path'. The review also features a brief John Lydon interview.
AUGUST 3
John Lydon's solo tour is due to start at the New Orleans, House Of Blues. After disputes with drummer Robert Williams the show is cancelled. The remainder of the dates then eventually collapsed due to Virgin Records non-promotion, lack of interest, and insufficient financial backing.
AUGUST 4
John Lydon plays his first ever solo show at Houston, Numbers. Of the scheduled 20+ US gigs, only a handful are played. Full proposed tour dates, and band info can be found here.
AUGUST 7
'LA Weekly' - John Lydon interview.
AUGUST 10
John Lydon - Phoenix, Electric
Ballroom.
Apparently Martin Atkins turns up at the show.
AUGUST 11
Jah Wobble releases the album 'Requiem'. This extended orchestral composition is the second release on his 30 Hertz label, just 2 months after the first (see wobble discography for full info).
AUGUST 13
John Lydon
- LA, Hollywood, The Palace, USA.
During the show he explains the situation with Virgin Records regarding
the collapse of the tour. "Thank you Virgin records for allowing
me to make my album, and no fucking thanks at all for not promoting it.
You lazy bunch of arsewipes!" Read
F&F gig review here.
AUGUST 19
'Variety' review John's gig at the Hollywood, Palace.
AUGUST
'The Filth and The Fury!' - Sex Pistols & PiL fanzine (F&F #3). PiL related articles include 'Psycho's Path' reviews, John Lydon solo discography, Tomorrow Show 1980 transcript & 'Greatest Hits So Far' (Japanese import) review.
AUGUST 14
'Sound On Sound' magazine - Jah Wobble interview.
AUGUST 18
'Rockline FM', USA - Lydon interview.
AUGUST 20
VH1 (US) repeat the infamous PiL appearance on 'American Bandstand' 1980.
AUGUST 24
'Modern Rock Live', USA - Lydon interview.
AUGUST 28
Virgin Records belatedly launch www.JohnLydon.Com to promote 'Psycho's Path'.
SEPTEMBER 4
'Rolling Stone' review 'Psycho's Path'.
SEPTEMBER 25
John Lydon - Club Citta, Kawasaki,
Japan.
The show is later released on bootleg CD. Read
F&F review here.
SEPTEMBER 26
John Lydon - Tokyo, Shinjyuku,
Liquid Room
This is the second and last show of a proposed 4 date Japanese tour. The
remaining 2 dates were cancelled. Full tour dates, and band info etc can
be found here.
SEPTEMBER
'Perfect Sound Forever' website - Lu Edmonds and The Mekons interview.
SEPTEMBER
'Vox Magazine' - John Lydon interview.
SEPTEMBER
News is released that John Lydon, and proposed 'Psycho's Path' live drummer, Robert Williams are to appear on the courtroom TV program 'Judge Judy'!
Williams had originally been hired as drummer for the 'Psycho's Path' tour in summer 1997, however - as a Virgin press release stated - his behaviour became "increasingly provocative, adversely affecting the camaraderie of the band". Things finally came to a head on July 30th when a meeting between Williams and Lydon resulted in an alleged physical argument, and Williams quit the tour... Drummer Otis Hayes was enlisted in as a last minute replacement, but the first date of the tour had to be cancelled, which cost Lydon $6000 in lost revenue.
To make matters worse, upon leaving Williams filed 'Criminal Battery Charges' against Lydon, which were immediately dismissed as "completely unfounded". Not giving up, in September he claimed compensation of $5000 in "lost wages", claiming Lydon had breached his contract, and dismissed him from the tour. Whereas Lydon claimed that Williams "left of his own volition".
The duo were set to go to court to resolve the matter, but hilariously, American TV courtroom show 'Judge Judy' bought the case. Needless to say, Lydon won the case, much to the annoyance and public humiliation of Williams.
OCTOBER 7
It is announced to the music press that John Lydon has left Virgin Records (again). And has been given permission by EMI chief Ken Berry to re-release the album on a new label.
OCTOBER 20
Jah Wobble releases the album 'The Light Programme'. This is the third release on Wobble's 30 Hertz label this year! He also releases his first single 'Magical Thought' a 4 track CD EP (see wobble discography for full info).
OCTOBER 21
The recording of the courtroom TV show 'Judge Judy' with John Lydon and Robert Williams. After winning the case Mr Lydon quips: "Now I'm going to get on with my life. We're going after the real killers…"
OCTOBER 25
MTV USA, 'Week in Rock'. The show features clips of John's forthcoming appearance on 'Judge Judy'.
OCTOBER 27
'Entertainment Tonight', USA. America's ultimate celebrity show broadcast clips of John's forthcoming appearance on 'Judge Judy'.
OCTOBER
'Substance Magazine', Australia - John Lydon interview.
NOVEMBER
'The Filth and The Fury!' - Sex Pistols & PiL fanzine (F&F #3). PiL related articles include John Lydon live in LA, a "Where Are You!" article on Keith Levene (plus discography), and scathing attack on Virgin Records handling of 'Psycho's Path'!
NOVEMBER 24
US TV broadcast 'Judge Judy' - Robert Williams v's John Lydon!
DECEMBER 2
'Sonic Boom' website - Martin Atkins interview.
