Just before John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) flew off to the USA for his recent set of dates with Public Image Ltd. (PiL), I had a chance to visit him at his flat, near punk’s old stomping ground, the Kings Road area of London. His Victorian townhouse was unmistakable because it was the only one painted grey on an otherwise white block, and all the blinds were conspicuously pulled shut.

“Apart from the time we rehearse and record,” he said, “I sit in here and vegetate, play with my hole and love it.”