Formed ‘78, Public Image Ltd. (aka PiL), were an experimental band with John Lydon (vocals) of the seminal Sex Pistols, Keith Levene (guitar) & Jah Wobble (bass). PiL are often cited as one of the most challenging and innovative bands of the post-punk period; John Lydon is quoted as saying he wanted to form an anti-rock band. They were influenced by a wide range of artists, especially esoteric artists like Can, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Tim Buckley & various dub artists.

As the years progressed, the PiL line-up would change, adding renowne... (+) expand

Formed ‘78, Public Image Ltd. (aka PiL), were an experimental band with John Lydon (vocals) of the seminal Sex Pistols, Keith Levene (guitar) & Jah Wobble (bass). PiL are often cited as one of the most challenging and innovative bands of the post-punk period; John Lydon is quoted as saying he wanted to form an anti-rock band. They were influenced by a wide range of artists, especially esoteric artists like Can, Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band, Tim Buckley & various dub artists.

As the years progressed, the PiL line-up would change, adding renowned drummer Martin Atkins in 1979 as the direction of the band evolved. Compared to their first three albums, the later 1980’s/early 1990’s period saw a more conventional sound to the musical aspect, but still retaining Lydon’s biting lyrics. The album Compact Disc (aka Album or Cassette, depending on what format you have it on), recorded by Lydon with a slate of studio musicians organized by producer Bill Laswell, is considered the artistic highpoint of this period of PiL’s evolution. PiL reached their commercial zenith with their aptly titled ninth album, 9, during 1989/1990.

PiL kept going as a Lydon project until 1993, when Lydon disbanded the group. Their final lineup consisted of Lydon, Ted Chau (guitar, keyboards), Mike Joyce of The Smiths (drums), John McGeoch of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees (guitar), and Russel Webb (bass). (-) collapse