RIP Keith Levene who passed yesterday. He had such a ground breaking unique style and sound. Such a great song, amazing band. When Seattle came out (my first taste of PIL) I couldn't believe all the guitar sounds I was hearing. I knew of JR from the Sex Pistols, but this PIL band just took it to another level. Unlike any band I heard before. I'll be diving into all their music today. An amazing musician gone too soon.

the bass, the beat, Johnny's repeated "hello" and suddenly the guitar from another world. A masterpiece..

"We're not a band, we're a company" - John Lydon One of my favorite quotes of all time.

This song is groundbreaking, and not just for the bass intro and Keith's innovative playing, but for how it transcended punk and created something completely different. It's kind of punk, new wave, shoegazy, and danceable. It's so unique.

A friend of mine, who considerably older than I am once told me "When you get older you'll appreciate PiL so much more than Sex Pistols" being young and angry and brash I laughed and told him he was insane. Yet nearly 10 years later here we are

The guitar lick in this song essentially spurned the entire 80s rock scene . . .there is no U2 without this song.

I saw PIL at the University of Maryland in the early 80s on Halloween night. They played this song and after, John said: “that sounded fuc#ing awful, let’s do it again.” . They played the same song over and it was FLAWLESS. How many artists do a song again? That’s Johnney.

Just love that chiming guitar sound. Keith Levene is a hugely underrated player.

The best PIL song, period. Still crushes it everytime & sounds as good as it did 4 the very 1st time in 1978. Fucking brilliant & thank God 4 John Lydon!!!

That guitar riff, man... I hear it in my head sometimes out of the blue.

No one has ever gotten away with telling John what to do. The immortal words " I did it my way " are truly shown in this genius of an artist. Right from when he broke into the Public Eye even up to current 2023 recordings, John has always done what ever the hell he wants. Much to the joy of those who understand. Standing Ovation for a once in a lifetime performer.

The missing link between punk and post-punk.

One of the most underrated songs ever. It redefined what we now call alternative music.

RIP Keith Levene.......thanks to the contribution you made in music.

A 1988 song that was somehow recorded and released in 1978. Ridiculously ahead of its time.

One of the most beautiful things i have ever heard in my life. Look at these fucking legends.

Hmmm...I wonder if "The Edge" ever heard this? :)

PIL = the thinking man's punk rock

I'm surprised that the fact that Keith Levine's guitar playing here inspired a whole generation of musicians including the "sound" found in the music of The Cure, Edge's guitar playing in early U2, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Big Country, among others, is not mentioned more often.

the one song that basically made everything the Pistols did sound irrelevant - this song is, was and always will be a masterpiece

And here is where he truly starts to show his fearlessness.

I heard that riff when I twentysomthing, 30 years later it still moves me.

the best beginning of a song ever. a great song, but the first 13 seconds is fucking perfection.

Saw these guys at a venue near their local pub in London fall of '87 and I had the time of my life. I've seen hundreds of shows but this one was in my top 5. Adore their sound, Johnny's whining critiques, and Levine's weird guitar riffs.

I always thought this one song alone rescued punk rock and rock in general. it represents a rebirth and a defiance that should always be what it's about. a giant step forward. god bless John, Kieth, Jah, and Martin.

That bass, intro always signaled me to turn the volume up all the way!

Mind blowing. In every aspect. Vocals and musicianship.

R.I.P. Keith Leven.....thank you for the amazing music.

Thank you Keith for laying down post punk's blueprint.

Circa 1978. Disco was blaring. Polyester shirts. Saturday Night fever etc. and this band put together the hardest high energy rocking punk and was clearly ahead of their time. 2.1 million views? Insane.

This wipes the floor of the music being released today. Its not even hardcore punk, more a pop variant but the attitude and essence of punk is there.

This was/is a great song to dance to. I'm 57 and it still moves me. They're playing tomorrow night here in Chicago but I couldn't get tickets.

Saw PIL in 1980 at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. The Olympic Auditorium had Professional Wrestling, Boxing, and Roller Derby at one time. Perfect place for PIL to do a concert. I was 24 years old when I saw them.

Surely, this is one of the best punk, post punk and new wave guitar riffs of all time ! And certainly among the most influential ! Both in sound and in playing ! Absolutely fantastic ! No other PiL song comes even close !

I still think this is the best punk song ever

this track has had me ripped to the core for over four decades now. and still does. one of johnny/PILS greatest ~ thank you ❤️

Utterly brilliant in every regard. Lyric is potent; music is unforgettable. Thank you John and all the commentators here that get it. cheers.

Saw PiL in the 80’s and then again in 2010. Great shows and good times.

RIP Keith Levene, MUCH RESPECT, died today at 65 of liver cancer.

Such a unique and iconic video and song...post punk is born here...all of it ; guitar riff, bass, and their look...took many yrs to even catch up to all of this ingenuity

such a powerful and pivotal song in the history of rock music, John Lydon at his best!

Oh man, where TF have I been? How have I not discovered early PIL til now. Had only heard from Album forward. I cannot get enough of this song, which seems to be their signature opus. The whole First Issue album is a mindblower and years ahead of its time. I can see how this was a catalyst for future 80s alt rock as this predates The Edge guitar sound with U2. And such a piercing "feely" melody. Even that jangle sound which Johnny Marr would expound on later. Oh, and the Jah Wobble bass riff is so killer! I can't get enough of this track and First Issue. Late bloomer I know lol but I'm slowly discovering other English post punk band's like The Strangers and The Slits and Wire. I've been into Ultravox, Gary Numan and Visage the last several years, but early PiL is bad ass!!

Kick Ass Classic. This one will span the tests of time Johnny. You are a true Music Icon. Thanks for your extremely early contributions to shakin' the shit outta rock & roll normality. The planet is now indebted to you forever. bravo sir bravo.

Why isn't this being taught in our schools?

top track. Saw Jah wobble performing this at musicport a couple of years ago with his nippon orchestra plus Levene & a john Lydon look alike...completely rocked it and blew the crowd away.......total respect!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the greatest punk bass lines ever played .

One of the best songs ever. The riff and the bassline are just monumental!

The ascension of the bassist, - Peter Hook and Wobble, showing how beautifully it worked as the primary focus, leaving the guitar to more unique and fresh possibilities. I prefer Fodderstompf on this LP, - never ceases to make me smile.

RIP Keith Levene, a true music legend!

RIP genius guitarist Keith Levene.

I still have my 1st pressing of this album and after many many years of letting some borrow it.. I got it back. I love it... Still got my Sex Pistols 'never mind the " album also. I'm old now but this time in my life was the best of my time here on this planet called Earth..

Rest In Peace Keith Levene. Punk rock icon.

I know that you never listen to a word that I said, however kieith Levene 's guitar and playing is so stunning . he is so beautiful!

Awesome video! I saw PIL in their first US tour in 1980. I was only 16 at the time and my twin brother and I were in the front row at their Chicago show. It was chaos.. We were throwing food at the stage and Lydon was throwing it back at us while Levine fingered us (jokingly).. You could only imagine their surprise when we showed up at the Holiday Inn on LS Drive after the show. We had a great conversation with Lydon and Jah Wabble. Levine was taken aback. Thanks for posting this video!

I got hooked on this, college radio KSPC Pomona, early 80s.

RIP Mr Levene.. you were always Cutting Edge.

I'm tempted to say this might be one of the greatest pieces of modern music ever written/performed

As good today in 2021 as it was 40+ years ago. Amazing. Excellent, classy. ART.

This day in #PiL history... October 13th 1978. Release of PiL's debut single 'Public Image'. The single peaks at number 9 in the UK charts.

I pray at the church of Lydon. He's one of the most brilliant people I've never met. This and Religion II blew my mind

Post Punk Mastery.

Great guitar work and great vocal performance. John L. was always underrated as a vocalist. Keith L. is really unique here.

RIP Keith Levene. 65 is too young. 😟

John's lil dancing is so cute

this song is really good. this band is really good. the individual players are really good. the recording is really good. the video is really good. the fans are really good. this inspired a lot of really good music.

Man, that green glowy shadow bit at the end. It’s like something out of a sci-fi/horror movie......

Love the sound of that aluminum guitar.

Timeless brilliance!! Great song. Great album. Goodbyeeeeeee!!!

wobble sitting down.Kicking that awesome bass.Life's not a game of monopoly!

Saw PIL at an unannounced gig at a dive on the Bowery NYC called Great Gildersleeves in '79...best live show I EVER saw, and being in the biz saw a lot! This single is in my top ten favorites of all time and will remain so as long as I'm breathing.

Always loved this song! Saw them on their first U.S. tour & they killed it!!!

That dancing i love it. Johnny rotten my man

Underrated guitarist

This song is what U2 tried to equal but never managed.

Never mind the guitar in this song the song itself I believe perfectly encapsulates the 80s as a whole. Quite possibly the most defining piece of art or pop culture of that decade

And to think this came out in 78

I remember I was about 13 and back then the first time you heard a record was when you bought it and took it home. I can remember waiting for PIL to release this, then went to the record shop in the morning, took it home and had such extreme goosebumps I thought my hair would fall out! Fuck! This song changed everything. I could just listen to the intro on a loop forever!!!

bought this record when it came out. listening to it now still gives me a charge. it's brilliant. PIL massively under rated band.

Rest in peace, guitar player Keith.

The vocalist is johnny rotten of the sex pistols. I heard this song many many moons ago. Still hits me hard to this day.

RIP Keith Levene.

Heard this before while surfing through the tube---didn't know this was PIL's first single. Just saw them on the Stephen Colbert show a couple of days ago----Rotten's still howling and raging with their latest CD. The song sounded pretty good,too.

You gotta love music legend and singer both groups john Lydon known as Johnny Rotten a world class punk rocker with pil public image

There are many artists old and new that i genuinely love with a passion, a lot of traditionalists in blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, etc. but not many that make me feel like they're both ahead of their time and an almost inexhaustible source for creative fire. PiL is certainly one of those. There was never a PiL analogue and there shouldn't be. They're like Pixies, Zappa, or Television to me. No one else sounds like them, and they always show you something new.

one of the great songs of all time. everything about it is so unexpected

PILで一番好きな曲。

A brilliant tune then, a brilliant tune now.

Looking at this video again in a long while have to say this is Lydon/Rotten's most convincing miming...the sheer exuberance of being freed of the debacle of the Pistols is readily apparent. Powerful, unmitigated brilliance.

One of the great malcontent agitators of all time. Long live John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten).

RIP Keith Levene ( the blond guitarist)

I love you, Mr. John Lydon. Most Sincerely 💓, Gayle Raye Bremer

totally underrated - I was fan then and realize I still am. saw their first & second gig at the Rainbow 1978

"Hello" ... 3 minutes of brilliant post-punk ... "Goodbye".

Very underrated band, Jon had by this time matured into his trade, but still enough anger and energy

I cannot figure out who is rating the so called "underrated." "Oh, this is the most underrated song or underrated groups of all times, man." - Guy Who Gets It More Than Everyone Else. It's just music, listen to it and enjoy it. Let it make you happy.

Whew I actually laid down fell deep asleep bout ½ way thru the McEnroe documentary then had the craziest dream I was back in the summer of 1980 at the park with all my friends all young all happy to see each other but we knew it wasn't going to last long as if granted some special momentarily time portal it was a beautiful sunny summer day everyone was happy some roller skating other dancing around to this crazy cool tune playing loud I hadn't heard forever everyone so caught up in this special moment not wanting to end .. then slowly wake up to this playing to the closing credits of McEnroe film. It was just so surreal

One of the great songs. Love how Lydon does a rude boy step out to the mike.

RIP Keith.

rest in peace, keith 😭😭😭😭😭😭

I love p il..i use to listen to them when I was in my 20s..im 58 and still love them..punks never die