Public Image Limited - Edinburgh Playhouse, May 11th 1986
Page One: The Afternoon

John McKenna, John Welsh and myself arrived at the Edinburgh Playhouse around 3PM to wait for Public Image Ltd to arrive for their soundcheck. There were 3 ways into they venue. We positioned ourselves so we would see them arrive (remember these were the days before mobiles) and would scream at the top of our voices when spotted. John Lydon turned up in a red BMW with an unknown driver.
Above: John gets out of the BMW. Right: Immediately after getting out of the car.
He walked towards me, then stopped! He scanned the area, then in one bound, he stepped over the puddle of rain water that stood between him and I. As you can imagine, being face to face with this entity was rather intimidating. However, John couldn't be arsed with the whole idol thing so I composed myself and offered my hand with respect. He was relaxed, and crashed the ash (passed his cigs out!). He asked if we were going to the show and if we had tickets? He didn't object to us taking pictures of him (he enjoyed it). We spoke about the new album, Album, and he asked what life was like in Scotland. I told him that I attended his first show in Glasgow at the Apollo three years prior, and he was well pleased! He asked us what that show was like? And I told him "I got it on tape if you want to hear it?!"
Just then a small group of Goths showed up, which made him uncomfortable. They barged in talking utter rubbish about his public image, and you could see that look on his face. The look we all grew to know and love (but it wasn’t so cool seeing it before your eyes, as we didn’t know where he was going to channel his venom). However, John was a total gentleman with me, and I asked if he would mind having a photograph taken with me and my close friend John Welsh. John then said goodbye to us three and swooped into the Playhouse for the soundcheck. We hung around for and hour or so, then John came out alone and was pleased we were still there. The Goths were there also, but did not come as close this time. Pictured: John Lydon, John Welsh and Pete Moffat.
Memories and pictures by Peter Moffat

The gig itself >

Pictures & Text ©2010 Peter Moffat / www.sex-pistols.net

God Save The Sex Pistols ©2010 Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.net
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