As the screen lifted the band realised they were vastly outnumbered and scarpered. Thankfully, a technician eventually raised the screen preventing any damage hitting the band’s bank account. Like any good punk would, he decided to face and then threaten the crowd: “I go out in front of the screen to announce, ‘If you destroy that screen we have the power here to destroy you.’ I really meant it too.” As Lydon coerced the crowd, they began pelting the screen with bottles and chairs.Īfter being warned of the screen’s value and put in sole charge of its care in light of their unusual stage production, Leven began to worry. The crowd became incensed at the band’s perceived disrespect and unwillingness to face the crowd.
Ulamo began thudding drums and then Lydon turned to put their latest record on. PiL stood behind the giant video screen with lights to create a silhouette of the group. Luckily, a stagehand was at the ready to drag Yapp into place: “Hi, I’m Lisa Yapp! I’m here to talk about Public Image Ltd!” Yapp managed to get through her introduction while different objects began hitting the stage. Lisa Yapp was set to open the show for the band, introducing them form a rubbish bin, but got jitters as she saw the menace in the crowd’s face. When a gang of wet punks walked in with the hope of catching Johnny Rotten singing Pistols songs and were then made to wait until 1am for his new band, the tension began to rise. The height of technology at the time the band decided to not perform a traditional rock show and instead provide a visual art exhibition. The club saw themselves at the sharp point of the cutting edge and with their new video screen they weren’t far wrong.
The Ritz didn’t let the opening band go on or even let the audience in until John arrived.” There was an opening act that was weird - we just found them in a bar and hired them. To make matters worse, Lydon had gone AWOL, We got inside and got things ready but John is nowhere to be seen.
On his website, Leven revealed that the crowd were also made to wait for two to three hours in the pouring rain. But whether they understood him and didn’t care or simply mistook his sentiment as bluster, the club still pushed the show as ‘Johnny Rotten’s PiL’. This is going to be a show,” said guitarist Keith Levene when speaking to The Ritz’s promoters.
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