THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Despite the sad passing of John Lydon’s wife of more than four decades, Nora Forster, on April 5, Public Image Ltd. decided to continue with the release of End Of World, their 11th studio offering and first album in eight years. “Nora loved the album,” Lydon says. “She wouldn’t have wanted us to postpone it or change any of our plans.”
Earlier this year, PiL released Hawaii, the most personal piece of songwriting and accompanying artwork that Lydon has ever shared. The song is a love Nora, who passed away from Alzheimer’s. A pensive, personal yet universal love song that has resonated with many since its release in January, the song sees John reflecting on their lifetime well spent and in particular one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii. “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” Lydon says.
Celebrating their 40-year anniversary in 2018, Public Image Ltd. are widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time. Their music and vision have earned them five U.K. Top 20 singles and an equal number of U.K. Top 20 albums. With a shifting lineup and unique sound — fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub — Lydon guided the band from their debut album First Issue in 1978 through to 1992’s That What Is Not, before a 17-year hiatus.
Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively worldwide and releasing two critically acclaimed albums — This is PiL in 2012 followed by their 10th studio album What The World Needs Now… in 2015. The latter peaked at No. 29 in the official U.K. album chart and picked up fantastic acclaim from both press and public. (The album also peaked at No. 3 in the official U.K. indie charts and No. 4 in the official U.K. vinyl charts.) What The World Needs Now… was self-funded by PiL and released on their own label PiL Official.
In 2018, PiL celebrated their 40th anniversary with a career-spanning box set and documentary, both called The Public Image Is Rotten, and a 32-date U.K. and Europe tour, plus dates in Japan. Lydon, guitarist Lu Edmonds, bassist Scott Firth and drummer Bruce Smith continue as PiL. They are the longest-running, most-stable lineup in the band’s history and continue to challenge and thrive.”
