Sex Pistols Respond To The Death Of Queen Elizabeth II

The music industry continued to respond to the death of Queen Elizabeth II over the weekend, with stars taking to social media to share their thoughts. One reaction that was always going to spark interest was that of punk icons The Sex Pistols. 

The British punks responsible for penning the sarcastic God Save The Queen to 'celebrate' Queen Elizabeth II's jubilee in 1977, have taken rather different approaches to their reflections on her passing. 

Frontman Jonny Rotten, who now goes by his legal name of John Lydon, offered up a rather respectful take via Twitter, stating "Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II. Send her victorious. From all at http://johnlydon.com".  Which is a far cry from the venomous spirit of the anti-nobility anthem. 

Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II.

Send her victorious.

From all at https://t.co/vK2Du0ZzDS pic.twitter.com/kq4M6WfeML

— John Lydon Official (@lydonofficial) September 9, 2022

Lydon's surviving Sex Pistols bandmates were considerably less diplomatic and respectful in their own posts. Bassplayer Glen Matlock commented, "God save the king - hope he’s not a silly old thing…"

God save the king - hope he’s not a silly old thing…

— Glen Matlock (@GlenMatlock) September 8, 2022

While guitarist Steve Jones posted some Sex Pistols lyrics with God Save The Queen-inspired artwork and simply asked his followers "how do you feel?" 

How do you feel? pic.twitter.com/fDGnLHv3Sc

— JONE$Y$ JUKEBOX (@JonesysJukebox) September 8, 2022

The anti-monarchy anthem God Save The Queen topped charts in the UK earlier this year, 45 years after its release. 

The track was propelled to the top of the charts following a reissue of the song for the now late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

God Save The Queen was the Sex Pistols' highly controversial second single that calls the monarchy a "fascist regime". Despite being banned on the BBC, the song reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart around its release.

On the reissue, John Lydon commented on his stance in a new essay which read, “She’s put up with a lot. I’ve got no animosity against any one of the royal family. Never did… It’s the institution of it that bothers me and the assumption that I’m to pay for that.”

He also retracted the message of the Sex Pistols' debut single Anarchy In The U.K., stating, “Anarchy is a terrible idea."

He added: "Let’s get that clear. I’m not an anarchist. And I’m amazed that there are websites out there — .org anarchist sites — funded fully by the corporate hand and yet ranting on about being outside the shitstorm.

"It’s preposterous. And they’re doing it in designer Dr. Martens, clever little rucksacks and nicely manufactured balaclavas.”