Public Image Ltd.- Poptones & Careering (American Bandstand 1980)

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ABC, 'American Bandstand'. PiL's, hilarious, and now infamous, 'performance' on the prime time US pop show is broadcast on National TV. Pre-recorded on 3rd May, PiL mime to 'Poptones' and 'Careering.' Presenter Dick Clarke introduces the band as, "a memorable moment in rock n roll, something special and interesting". The longstanding mainstream music show is thrown into chaos as Lydon invites almost the entire audience up to dance with the band on stage! John barely pretends to mime, and the band swap instruments. Lydon later commented, "I forgot the words to the song, and I was miming really badly, so I had to act quick. And did. Perfect!"

When asked to introduce themselves to Dick Clark Wobble replies, "Wobble. THE Jah Wobble". The pair have actually already met backstage, apparently Clark walked in on Wobble while he was trying to have a quick sleep. "I'm Wobble, who are you" he's reported to have asked, "I'm Dick Clarke" he replies, "Good" wobble snaps, "Well fuck off"! Rumour has it that Dick Clark had asked Larry White before the show "What can I expect from this asshole?" Surely a case that you should be careful what you wish for! Despite the chaos, Dick Clark later protested, "(Lydon) told me he was going to be rambunctious. I said 'be my guest'. We were in total control." Yeah, Dick it looked like it Clark later votes the appearance the Top 8th ever on 'American Bandstand'.Fodderstompf.com

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[YouGotWoodRolled]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Dick Clark say that this was one of his favorite AB performances?

[BonzoGoesToMexico]

Yeah Dick it looked like it Clark later votes the appearance the Top 8th ever on 'American Bandstand

[joyer32]

Says the person with the handle Motley Crue...a fan of a band who contributed less than nothing to the lexicon of music.

[Proxylfc]

mainstream yank kids trying to dance to poptones. fucking priceless

[SOSifymaybe]

lol

[NewJerseyMilitia]

Negroes used to look so out of place but now it's us White folk that do, we have almost lost our country WAKE UP ASSHOLES!!!

[Saul Anderson]

The music is pretty amazing,this is more heavy dub reggae than anything else,they would never have heard stuff like this before in the US,but they are clearly loving it. John and the band are very into reggae. Check out Dennis Bovell,he was a major influence,i believe..

[vicdmise]

"Some men just want to watch the world burn..."

[vicdmise]

Dick Clark 1980: "FUCK THESE ASSHOLE KIDS FUCKING UP MY SHOW!"

Dick Clark 1990: "One of my favorite performances..."

[SilverSeasPRchannel]

A PR agency’s dream client event. This was pre-recorded and it was still aired on ABC! Amazing. Watch it all.

[widdlyscudd]

nope. not gonna.

[Andy Warstar]

Dick Clark was the bassist in the sex pistols after Sid Died. Johnny Rotten was the guy who danced on the side of the stage. Obama doesn't kill children with drones. China never invaded Tibet, killing 50,000 people. This is NOT a love song. I am not Andy Warstar. You will NOT google me and download all my music. I am NOT wearing any clothes as I type this. And, no the upholstery on my chair does NOT smell like a fart. I love you.

[TheOneartist]

The music is post-punk, not disco, although it did evolve from disco elements. And of course they had a song called "Death Disco".

[Jose Vega]

I usta get so drunk to this in 1980. good times.