The Modernist wrote:Copehead wrote:But in the final analysis Geldorf changed the world whereas Rotten pimped English Butter to scrape the money together to make another disappointing album.
Lydon changed my world a lot moreCopehead wrote:I think most people would prefer to listen to the Rats rather than P.I.L. as well.
I doubt it. Their period of popularity was brief -18 months or so (by 1980 it was all over) and they are semi-forgotten today.Copehead wrote:Rotten is a 20th century icon no doubt, but Geldorf gets belittled and overlooked when he has left a far greater cultural and political legacy.
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The politics bit might be true in terms of greater awareness of poverty in Africa, the cultural bit is certainly not. Lydon was the central figure in punk and post-punk, whilst Geldof, and this is probably being charitable, was a bit player. If you can't understand why 'God Save the Queen','Holidays in the Sun', Public Image' or 'Poptones' are important and vital records in a way that 'Banana Republic' or 'Diamond Smiles'were never, then I really can't help you.
You will notice I said PIL not Pistols.
And if you think Banana Republic isn't an important political record you have obviously either never read or not understood the lyrics.
It is the equal of Anarchy in the UK on that score, it is just about Eire not the UK. Massive fail, don't be taken in by the cod reggae backing track.
I think Lydon's cultural significance is undoubtable and far greater than Geldorf's. Geldorf has left a lasting mark on the wider world that dwarfs Lydon's.
And I still think that the Boomtown Rats left a more popular musical legacy than P.I.L.