Napa: John Lydon aka Johnny Rotten

Born to Irish parents, and the eldest of three brothers, John Lydon grew up in Holloway, North London – present site of the Arsenal Stadium – in a small flat where his family shared an outdoor toilet with the public. John and family later moved to a council flat in Finsbury Park when he was around 11 years old.

Aged seven he contracted a serious bout of meningitis which put him in and out of coma’s for almost a year. Wiping most of his early memories and affecting his eyesight. On returning to school he was painfully shy and labeled a “dummy”. The experience only made him stronger and more determined.

Before John could complete his O Levels he was expelled from Catholic secondary school for daring to question teachers and refusing to toe the line. He attended Hackney & Stoke Newington College of Further Education, then later Kingsway College, to finish his exams. Where he met Sid Vicious.

More information here.