We take a deep dive into the Hot Press Archives as John Lydon celebrates his 68th birthday

It's "Happy 68th Birthday" to John Lydon, née Rotten, who's given extremely good quote to Hot Press for almost fifty of those years. Love him or loathe him – we're in the former camp with a few caveats – the ex-Pistol and PiL man has lead a colourful rock 'n' roll life and never shied away from telling things like it is in his world.

Older Hot Press readers will recall that, when things got just a bit too confrontational for him in the UK, he accepted an invite to attend our 'Kiss Me Quick' Awards in Cork where much merriment ensued.

At various other times, he's bared his arse to Hot Press at Electric Picnic; reacted with horror as we broke the news that Slits member Viv Albertine had kissed and told on him; argued – here's one of those caveats – that Trump isn't all bad; got tearful when Big Tom died; ripped into the Catholic Church; dished mounds of dirt on his former Pistols bandmates; and revealed his heartfelt desire to compete for Ireland at Eurovision, which he unsuccessful had a go at last year.

https://www.hotpress.com/culture/thrills-and-bellyaches-6900676

https://www.hotpress.com/music/johnny-come-home-1768303

https://www.hotpress.com/music/john-lydon-on-pil-the-pistols-the-pope-and-much-more-22647761

https://www.hotpress.com/music/that-what-is-not-john-lydon-on-public-image-ltd-22909658