John Lydon & Co
These musicians went from anti-establishment to royal fans
John Lydon, Bryan May and Liam Gallagher (left to right).
© 2013 landmarkmedia/Shutterstock.com / 2015 Antonio Scorza/Shutterstock.com / 2014 Christian Bertrand/Shutterstock.com
Royal bashing used to be considered good form in the British music scene. Today many music veterans take a much more relaxed view of it.
At least since the emergence of the punk movement, it has become a veritable fashion in the British music scene to yell loudly against the establishment and royalty.
God save the queen / She’s not a human being
The best-known anti-royal anthem was delivered by singer John Lydon (67) with his band Sex Pistols in 1977. In the song “God save the Queen” it says, among other things: “God save the queen / She’s not a human being / and there’s no future / in England’s dreaming”.
Even in interviews, the singer with the crazy eyes never left a good hair on the royal family. In the meantime he has radically changed his opinion of the British monarchy. Back in 2017 he hit in an interview with “The Quietus” surprisingly conciliatory tones towards Queen Elizabeth II. There he said: “She is a human being and I would miss her dearly as a human being on planet Earth. I hold no animosity towards any member of the royal family. I never have. It’s the institution that bothers me, and the Assuming I should pay for it.”
Shortly after the Queen’s death, he surprised with a respectful statement on his Twitter channel. It read: “Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II. May she be victorious.”
While talking about the new King Charles III. hasn’t said a bad word so far, he recently ranted in the “Telegraph” loudly against Prince Harry (38) and Meghan (41). There he said: “I don’t like the noise these two are making. If you want to be normal and outside of[the royal family]then fuck off. Just fuck off and shut up.”
Queen guitarist Brian May
Another musician who appears to have made a thorough change of heart about royalty is Queen guitarist Brian May, 75. In the past, the vehement animal rights activist has repeatedly criticized the British nobility. After William and Harry posted photos from a hunting safari in Africa in 2014, he railed in the “Sun”: “It’s the whole attitude of these privileged classes – you can save rhinos and elephants in Africa, but kill anything you want when you’re rich.”
Still, he didn’t mind being abducted by King Charles III in March 2023. to be knighted. Slightly ashamed, he justified himself after the ceremony on Instagram in the following words for this decision: “Perhaps it takes a knight in the shining armor of common sense to turn the gaze back to the real reasons for the continued misery of the ranchers. And perhaps even to bring compassion and decency into the landscape bring. Well, I am ready, in harness.”
Liam Gallagher would also like to be a knight
The possible elevation to knighthood seems to have led to a different view of the royals, and not just for him. Even for former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher (50), this seems to be an object of desire. Anyway, he showed up on January 1, 2022 pretty upset about itthat he had again not been nominated as a candidate for knighthood. There he wrote: “So again I didn’t make the NY’s honor roll, what else do I have to do to get myself 1 of these SIR things”.
Ozzy Osbourne – Prince of Darkness would like to be “Sir”
Scary rocker Ozzy Osbourne (74) also pursues similar longings. In 2014, the former Black Sabbath frontman and self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness” said the New York Daily News: “It would be nice if I got a title of nobility. But you have to go and ask the queen.” In order to support Ozzy in his project, his fans have even started several petitions, which have so far been unsuccessful. Perhaps King Charles III. yes, finally an insight and catch up on the well-deserved accolade at the next opportunity.