John Lydon to get Icon Award

Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd frontman John Lydon is to be given an Icon Award by music rights organisation the BMI.

He’ll be guest of honour at a gala event in London’s Dorchester Hotel on October 15.

The award is granted to songwriters who have left “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers” and previous recipients include Queen, Ray Davies, Steve Winwood and Bryan Ferry.

BMI president Del Bryant says: “John is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world. We’re very pleased to recognise his impact on popular culture and his outstanding musical contributions.”

The former Johnny Rotten’s writing credits include Pistols classics Anarchy In The UK, God Save The Queen and Pretty Vacant, along with PIL tracks Rise, This Is Not A Love Song, Warrior and Public Image.

PIL released a This Is PIL, their first album in 20 years, in 2012. It was followed by a world tour, including a trip to China in April this year – which, to Lydon’s surprise, was approved by the nation’s authorities after they asked to read every lyric he’d ever written.

He said: “They have either incredible good taste or they have no idea what I’m going on about. I can’t wait to find out. I hope their prison food is better than elsewhere. I’ve been in jails all around the world; I’m due an update.”

The band appeared at this year’s Glastonbury festival

source: classicrockmagazine.com

Ronnie Wood Weds In Secret Ceremony

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has reportedly married his 34-year-old fiancee in a low-key civil ceremony.

The 65-year-old rocker tied the knot with theatre producer Sally Humphreys at London's Dorchester Hotel on Friday, according to reports.

The couple are said to have known each other for nine years and have been dating for around six months.

Earlier this year, Ms Humphreys said Wood proposed after asking her father's permission at the premiere of the Rolling Stones documentary Crossfire Hurricane.

She said: "There's no problem with the age difference. I can understand why people would have a problem with it but it doesn't seem to cause any problems. We get on very well."

She added: "He's very funny and very talented. There's the Ronnie that everyone thinks that they know and the very talented artist and musician."

Wood, who has battled addiction to drink and drugs, split up with second wife Jo in 2008, after he left his wife of more than 20 years for 21-year-old former cocktail waitress Ekaterina Ivanova.

His divorce from Jo was finalised last year.

His first marriage, from 1971 to 1978, was to Krissy Findlay, the mother of Jesse, one of his four children.

Second wife Jo recently auctioned off items from their marriage, sparking a dispute with the guitarist who said his Rolling Stones tour outfits were not hers to sell.

The band recently played a string of concerts marking 50 years since their first gig.

source: planetrock.com