Sex Pistols singer John Lydon has attacked the National Trust after he claimed they used tracks by the band on a forthcoming album without permission.
The frontman, better known as Johnny Rotten, said that he had lost trust in the organisation following their decision to use Anarchy in the UK and Pretty Vacant on a fundraising album titled Never Mind the Dovecotes.
The album was released today in order to produce money to help preserve the nation’s historic houses, coast and countryside and includes songs by The Jam, X-Ray Spex and The Fall.
Its songs heavily contrast with other collections made by the National Trust, which include Celtic Collection and Classic Voices II.
But today a row was brewing between Lydon, 55, and the Trust.
In a statement, Lydon said, ‘I would like to be able to trust the National Trust but from this point forward I can’t. I was very proud to collaborate with The National Trust back in 2003 and voice a radio advert for them.
‘No one however has even spoke to myself or my management, or had a conversation with myself or my management about this album. Never Mind The… Permission.
‘Thievery as I have always thought seems to come from very high places. Whatever happened to the art of conversation.
‘As of yet I am still not sure what the game is in all this. My heart is true but this particular situation seems deeply sneaky and we are waiting to be supplied with information on this chain of events and the answer better be good.’
The collection of punk tracks released by the National trust follows a a collection recorded by Jarvis Cocker, who fronts the Brit pop band Pulp, which was compiled from natural sounds from more than 10 of its sites.
Kevin Long, product manager at Decca Records and compiler of the punk album, said, ‘When punk rock hit British society in the late Seventies, it was met by the Establishment’s distrust and disgust. Today, the influence of the punk movement on British fashion and music is incalculable.’
Phillippa Green, National Trust brand licensing manager, said: ‘Nearly half a million of the trust’s members were aged between 16 and 25 in 1977, the birth of the British punk music scene
‘Over 30 years on, many of them now enjoy family outings at parks, beaches and historic houses. Perhaps this collection will offer them the chance to rekindle a little of that youthful spirit.’
In 2003, John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, voiced a radio advert for the Trust on Classic FM…showing his growing support for the cause.
The Sex Pistols played their first gig in 1975 after forming in Vivienne Westwood’s boutique Sex, in the King’s Road.
They gained nationwide notoriety after swearing on television…before disrupting the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977 with their single, God Save the Queen.
by Wallace MvTavish
