John Lydon to announce shock retirement from music?

Johnny Rotten created a stir on Friday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

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Sad news for Lydon fans. Speculation had been rife that Sex Pistols lead singer will announce his retirement from music, at age 70, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 18/07/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer-songwriter just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJohn

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouJohn was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouJohn.”
— @DesireePlum, 17 Jul 2026

“I thought John Lydon retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 17 Jul 2026

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