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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Public
• Image
• Limited
• Pil
• Poptones
• Careering
• John
• Lydon
• Johnny
• Rotten
• Jah
• Wobble
• Julian
• Keith
• Levene
• Martin
• Atkins
• American
• Bandstand
• 1980
• May
• Dick
• Clarke
• Metal
• Box
• Second
• Edition
• ABC

[USDJ2722]

Dick Clark objected to these guys being on his show. But there was a high, high powered producer that basically said F.U, to Dicky and put them on. Once Dicky saw the crowds reaction he changed his tune. ABC did not want to air this but were pressured into it. PiL also went against the Lip-Sync policy of the show.

My Dad (Who was a programming Exec for ABC in L.A.) always brought home video tapes of shows taped that day unedited for us to see before they aired. This one was the coolest!

[otacon17x]

How the hell are they dancing to Poptones???

[Loshia2002]

I had a friend who worked with Dick Clark Productions and she'd told me that despite opinions to the contrary, this was one of Clark's favorite appearances. He was surprisingly open minded about music and really liked the irreverent way bands during this time represented themselves.

[dropd29]

This a textbook example to bands. Do it like this.

[pigcopeland]

heh heh heh ;@)

[djscotty1111]

@USDJ2722 Big Thnx for sharing !! Johnny as Mad as a shit house rat ;) still a fan after All these years ;)

[miamiwax]

this has to be one of the most incredible and memorable performances ever on american banstand

[ManilaSyndicate]

The biggest Fuck You to lip-syncing.

"Careering" sounds great, doesn't it?

[menchitty11]

Taking audience participation to the next level!!!

[deftones311100]

yes!! this is so brilliant! john lydon is a rock god

[oHelmslyoRisesAgain]

pil on american bandstand. anarchy.