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Bloc Party's Kele Okereke accuses Sex Pistol's Lydon of racist attack

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Members of Kaiser Chiefs and Foals reportedly had to come to the aid of Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke when he was allegedly attacked by Sex Pistols frontman and his entourage at the Summercase festival in Barcelona.

Okereke was left with severe facial bruising and a split lip following the alleged racist attack in which, according to Okereke, Lydon became "intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade, including the statement, 'your problem is your black attitude'."

The incident occurred backstage after Okereke asked Lydon if he'd ever considered reforming Public Image Ltd. Three members of Lydon's entourage are reported to have attacked Okereke, with Foals' singer Yannis Philippakis and Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson stepping in to help their Bloc Party chum out.

"It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack," said Okereke. "It is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily. Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes." He added: "I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."

However, the Sex Pistols frontman has denied the attack, claiming it's down to jealously and a desire for publicity on Okereke's part. In a long and indignant formal statement, Lydon said "I feel very sorry for a man who needs to lie about what was a perfect evening," Lydon said in a statement. "After the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands. This seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands."

He concluded by telling Okereke to "grow up and learn to be a true man."

The incident has been reported to UK and Spanish police.
richjm

13 responses // Bloc Party's Kele Okereke accuses Sex Pistol's Lydon of racist attack

  • I find his press release a bit condescending and unnecessary. It's like he makes a point of spending four hours with his fans...surely that's what artists are supposed to do.

    As for the racism, I'm not convinced. I wonder if something was said by someone other than Rotten and then it all kinda spiraled out of control...

    What's your thoughts?
    mattbrawn
  • I think it's more than likely that Lydon punched Okereke for being an arrogant talentless wanker rather than for any other reason.
    kristianbrodie
  • Lydon is a cock. Plain and simple. Always has been.
    The Pistols probably are one of the most overrated bands in history and were put together by McLaren and dressed in Vivienne Westwood clothes.
    PiL are ok. They have some good ideas, but never really pulled them off like some other post-punk bands did.

    I think Lydon himself wouldn't have made a racist comment (his entourage is another matter). But the man is still an arrogant talentless prick and should just go away and leave everyone alone on that basis.
    Ben_Traffic_UK
  • Lydon made the headlines last month for his verbal attack on Welsh pop startlet Duffy at London's prestigious Mojo Awards - could this be a backfired PR stunt with the use of wrong words?
    Mr_Costello
  • Johnny Rotten is just that, rotten.

    I wouldn't put it past him, he used to be in the Sex Pistols, not the most politically correct band of all time...
    subsequent
    1 response to this
  • but the sex pistols were never racist. they deliberately employed shock tactics. but never used racism as part of that.
    some other punk bands were right-wing leaning, and some used swastikas merely to shock or because they had decided they liked the aesthetics of the Nazi's. But the Sex Pistols never did any of that.
    And Lydon was a HUGE supporter of Reggae/Dub in this country.

    but as i said anyway, Lydon is arrogant and talentless and a prick, and the Pistols are one of the most overrated bands ever.

    The Pistols have just become the rock dinosaurs that punk was meant to eradicate. Well done Lydon!
    Ben_Traffic_UK
  • Okereke should fought back if he was gettin whooped so bad... geez
    zigzager88
  • I am just wondering what is wrong with this guys face. Seams like the hard and fast like of a rock-and-roller has taken a serious toll.
    UWAZell
  • All that said, he does hang out with a dodgy crowd.
    dearmat23
  • http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/22072008/434763...
    "Neon Neon have backed up Kele from Bloc Party’s statement on John Lydon’s alleged racist attack, after witnessing the event.
    Speaking exclusively to MTV News Gruff Rhys from the group said: “It was horrific. Kele is a very brave man and what he said is exactly what happened.”
    The band were backstage at the Summercase Festival in Barcelona with other British groups when the alleged assault took place and confirmed they saw everything.
    Neon Neon and Super Furry Animals singer Gruff added: “The statements Kele has said are absolutely true. It did happen.”
    The duo spoke to MTV News at the Mercury Prize Nominations Announcement today where their Stainless Style album was on the shortlist."
    Ben_Traffic_UK
  • Just because they never showed any racist signs in the past does not mean that it is impossible for him to do such things now.
    terfwork
  • 1) If you weren't there you will never know exactly what happened.
    2) I've met John Lydon and chatted extensively with him. He absolutely hates racists. He told me about his work in South Africa, something to do with sharks, and how he hated the old colonials!
    3) John Lydon has many black friends blah blah blah.
    4) His entourage? Who the fuck knows!?
    5) John is 53 and a supremely unfit fat old bastard!
    So Kele, you'd better stop whinging, stop being gay and start boxing, you're 30 years younger!
    dantechianti

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