John Lydon 'clears up punk confusion'

John Lydon has again claimed that punk would not have happened without the Sex Pistols.

The singer told Metro that the scene launched by his band was very different to the movement headed by groups like The Stooges, New York Dolls and The Ramones in the US.

Asked if punk would have happened without the Sex Pistols, Lydon told Metro: "No. There's confusion about this from people who should know better.

"Whatever was happening in New York was being done by much older people than us who were interested in the poetry of Rimbaud or glam rock - which isn't where we were. Older acts claimed it came from them first, which isn't right."

On why people are still interested in punk, Lydon added: "It was a time when people decided to do things for themselves. Women came to the forefront with bands such as The Slits, X-Ray Spex and The Raincoats.

"Until then, girl bands were bouffants and matching dresses. It was about individualism and concern for our surroundings and the future - good, worthy things done with a glorious sense of rebellion."