Post by Joan D on Nov 22, 2008 15:47:51 GMT -5
I was on the God Save the Sex Pistols site this afternoon & found they had added a letter written by John in January 1978. He was answering a letter from a 12 year old boy (Martin Smyth). Martin commented that "The actual content of the letter is incredible. John's honesty shines through and it does give an insight into his state of mind in early '78."
I have to agree. So, I've copied the transcript of letter here - you can go to the following to see the hand-written copy if you want:
www.philjens.plus.com/pistols/pistols/john_letter_Jan78.htm
"Dear Martin,
I received your letter the other day from Virgin and decided to reply to you personally 'cos it's not the usual type of letter that I get sent. Mostly there (sic) from silly girls who've fallen in love and want to marry me, or just plain mad death threats. So....
The band have now broken up due mainly to Mr McLaren's paranoia & spite, Steve and Paul's foolishness for still believing he ain't no crook, and Sid's stupid drug abuse. I ain't totally without blame either I suppose, cos I freely admit to being an arrogant big head who always has a sarcastic answer when I feel like it.
However all that has past now, and we, or at least I will not work with them ever again. The future or lack of it ain't so dim, Malcolm will find someone new to abuse and steal from when he's finished spending Paul and Steve's money in Rio. They'll always be told what to do. Sid I hope will grow up and give up his stupid weakness, and I'm going solo. I've already recorded several new songs, but since Malcolm will not come back to London I cannot release them, because the old contracts have not yet been terminated (he's well aware of this by the way and I've had to get a lawyer on to it.)
Never mind though, life's still fun, just about.
Ta for writing & sorry I can't give my address for obvious reasons, but if you want to write again for anything just send it to Virgin and I'll get it.
Yours
John Rotten"
Joan
I have to agree. So, I've copied the transcript of letter here - you can go to the following to see the hand-written copy if you want:
www.philjens.plus.com/pistols/pistols/john_letter_Jan78.htm
"Dear Martin,
I received your letter the other day from Virgin and decided to reply to you personally 'cos it's not the usual type of letter that I get sent. Mostly there (sic) from silly girls who've fallen in love and want to marry me, or just plain mad death threats. So....
The band have now broken up due mainly to Mr McLaren's paranoia & spite, Steve and Paul's foolishness for still believing he ain't no crook, and Sid's stupid drug abuse. I ain't totally without blame either I suppose, cos I freely admit to being an arrogant big head who always has a sarcastic answer when I feel like it.
However all that has past now, and we, or at least I will not work with them ever again. The future or lack of it ain't so dim, Malcolm will find someone new to abuse and steal from when he's finished spending Paul and Steve's money in Rio. They'll always be told what to do. Sid I hope will grow up and give up his stupid weakness, and I'm going solo. I've already recorded several new songs, but since Malcolm will not come back to London I cannot release them, because the old contracts have not yet been terminated (he's well aware of this by the way and I've had to get a lawyer on to it.)
Never mind though, life's still fun, just about.
Ta for writing & sorry I can't give my address for obvious reasons, but if you want to write again for anything just send it to Virgin and I'll get it.
Yours
John Rotten"
Joan
how stupid. if I got a letter from John it would be like a treasure for me 
