Rotten to be named ‘Icon of music’

LONDON - Reuters

Sex Pistols frontman Jonny Rotten will be named an ‘icon of music.’

The 57-year-old former frontman of the anarchic 1970s punk band the Sex Pistols is to receive an award for his contribution to music from the music rights organization BMI, although he angrily rejected previous honors.

Singer-songwriter John Lydon, who went by the name Johnny Rotten as he belted out songs like “Pretty Vacant” and “Anarchy in the UK”, will be presented with BMI’s Icon Award at a gala in London on October 15.Lydon, with his trademark orange hair, and the Pistols are credited with launching punk rock in Britain and inspiring scores of other musicians with their expletive-ridden, anti-establishment rage.

“John Lydon is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world,” Del Bryant, BMI President and CEO, said in a statement. Lydon was not immediately available to comment on the award but news of the honor was posted on his website and tweeted by his current band, Public Image Ltd, suggesting he had accepted.