Est. 1978

About

Public Image Ltd, 2025 © Paul Heartfield

After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed post-punk originators Public Image Ltd (PiL). Widely regarded as one of the most innovative bands of all time, their music and vision earned them 5 UK Top 20 Singles and 5 UK Top 20 Albums.

With a shifting line-up and unique sound – fusing rock, dance, folk, pop and dub – Lydon guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s ‘That What Is Not’, before a 17 year hiatus.

Lydon reactivated PiL in 2009, touring extensively and releasing three critically acclaimed albums ‘This is PiL’ in 2012 followed by ‘What The World Needs Now…’ in 2015 and ‘End of World’ in 2023.

PiL continue to challenge and thrive.

Read the PiL timeline bio…

This is PiL…

John Lydon

Vocals · 1978–Present

After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd in 1978. Outside of PiL, John has released several solo records and collaborations, and has published multiple books. He has also hosted several TV series and appeared in films.

JohnLydon.com →

Lu Edmonds

Guitar & Misc · 1986–88, 2009–Present

Multi instrumentalist and former guitarist in The Damned Lu joined PiL in 1986 recording and playing on the album Happy? and co-writing the album 9. Lu is also associated with a variety of eclectic and acoustic bands including The Mekons and Blabbermouth.

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Scott Firth

Bass & Keyboards · 2009–Present

Bass player/multi instrumentalist who has collaborated and played with a variety of top musicians and bands including Steve Winwood, John Martyn, Elvis Costello and The Spice Girls! Scott’s arrival into the band in 2009 resulted in John Lydon declaring him “Genius at work!”

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Mark Roberts

Drums · 2025–Present

Joined PiL in 2025 — a longtime friend of PiL genius Lu Edmonds the pair have made various albums together with the likes of poet Murray Lachlan Young, Blabbermouth and Russian rockstar Boris Grebenschikov.

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Public Image Limited Have Also Been…

Keith Levene — Guitar, 1978–83 (RiP) Jah Wobble — Bass, 1978–1980 Jim Walker — Drums, 1978 Jeannette Lee — Non-musical member / admin, 1978–82 Dave Crowe — Non-musical member / admin, 1978–81 Vivian Jackson — Drums, January 1979 Eddie Edwards — Drums, February 1979 David Humphrey — Drums, February 1979 Richard Dudanski — Drums, April–September 1979 Karl Burns — Drums, September 1979 Martin Atkins — Drums, 1979/80/81 & 1982–85 Steve New — Guitar, 1980 (RiP) Sam Ulano — Drums, 1981 (RiP) Pete Jones — Bass, 1982–83 Louis Bernardi — Bass, 1983–84 Joe Guida — Guitar, 1983 Arthur Stead — Keyboards, 1983 Tom Zvoncheck — Keyboards, 1983 Bret Helm — Bass, 1984–85 Mark Schulz — Guitar, 1984–85 Jebin Bruni — Keyboards / Guitar, 1984–85 Bill Laswell — Bass / Producer, 1986 John McGeoch — Guitar, 1986–92 (RiP) Allan Dias — Bass, 1986–92 Ted Chau — Guitar / Keyboards, 1989 & 1992 Mike Joyce — Drums, 1992 Russell Webb — Bass, 1992 Bruce Smith — Drums, 1986–1990 & 2009–2023 John Rambo Stevens — Manager, Producer, Warrior (RiP)

Plus over 20 session players, and at least another 10 non-musical members.