John Lydon broke down in tears while talking about caring for his wife, Nora Forster, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, on Monday’s Good Morning Britain show.
The 66-year-old former Sex Pistols star recently revealed that her Eurovision bid song representing Ireland is dedicated to her partner, 80, a German publishing heiress.
He hopes to win the spot with his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition, with the song titled Hawaii.
‘I can see the personality in his eyes’: John Lydon broke down in tears while discussing caring for his Alzheimer’s-stricken wife, Nora Forster, on Monday’s Good Morning Britain.
John, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, told hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid: “When I was younger, my mother was sick and my father worked a lot, so I had to change my brother’s diapers.”
‘Well, now I’m changing my loved one’s diapers. It has never been a problem.
Opening about the song, he said: ‘This is the start of a new journey. Interestingly, as bad as Alzheimer’s is, there are great moments of tenderness between us.
‘I try to capture that in song. Not everything is waiting for the Grim Reaper. I can see the personality in his eyes that lets me know.
Couple: The 66-year-old former Sex Pistols star recently revealed that his Eurovision song representing Ireland is dedicated to his partner, 80, a German publishing heiress (pictured in 2013)
‘Her communication skills are letting her down. I feel blessed to be able to be there and pick up on that and pass on something useful to other people.
Now I care about all his victims. Particularly spouses who have to put up with this. What you have to do is fight.
John’s chosen track, Hawaii, is filled with emotion for him as he looks back on the relationship he has shared with his wife of over 40 years.
speaking to SunJohn recently looked at the lyrics that read ‘remember me, I remember you’ and was overwhelmed with the sadness of the disease.
Emotional: John, better known by his stage name Johnny Rotten, said: “When I was younger, my mother was sick and my father worked a lot, so I had to change my brother’s diapers.”
Affectionate: ‘Well, now I’m changing my loved one’s diapers. It’s never been a problem’
“We had a wonderful vacation in Hawaii after touring once and it was the best week of our lives.
Now her memories are fading, I wanted to bring her something like that. I break down even thinking about it.
Initially formed in 1978, but later went on hiatus; John will now join fellow punk bandmates Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith.
Announcing the news on Twitter, the band said they will compete with a never-before-heard song titled Hawaii, dedicated to John’s wife, Nora.
Tribute: John recently looked at the lyrics that read ‘remember me, I remember you’ and was overwhelmed with the sadness of the disease (pictured in 2005)
Providing context to his song choice, John shared: “It’s dedicated to everyone who goes through a difficult time on life’s journey, with the person they love the most.
“It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
John found fame with The Sex Pistols in the 1970s alongside guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977.
Lydon was the lead singer from 1975 to 1978, later leading the band on several revivals during the 1990s and 2000s.
Chance: The Irish-British punk rocker will bid for the spot alongside his band Public Image Ltd for the 2023 competition (2022 pictured)
The Sex Pistols’ only album, Never Mind the B*****ks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977), a UK number one, is now a staple punk rock record.
But in 1978, John formed Public Image Ltd, with the band’s early line-up including bassist Jah Wobble and ex-Clash guitarist Keith Levene.
In 1987, a new lineup was formed consisting of John, former Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist John McGeoch, Allan Dias on bass, plus drummer Smith and Edmunds.
They were also joined by Curt Bisquera on drums and Gregg Arreguin on rhythm guitar for the album That What Is Not.
After the band wrote the song Criminal for the movie Point Break and released an album in 1993, John put Public Image Ltd on indefinite hiatus.
But now they are headed for their return as they could be seen at Eurovision in Liverpool, after Sam Ryder’s second place in the 2022 contest.
John, whose mother is from County Cork and his father from Galway, will see his band compete with the other entries, ADGY, CONNOLLY, Wild Youth, Leila Jane and K Muni + ND.
Punk pioneers: (L-R) John, Sid Vicious, Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols during their latest tour