John Lydon on his Eurosong experience, and PiL's new album: 'I will love and adore Ireland forever'  

John Lydon may not have made it as Ireland's representative at the Eurovision, but as his band PiL release a new album, the former Sex Pistol recalls the wonderful memories of a song dedicated to his wife Nora, who died soon after the Late Late Show special 

John Lydon and Public Image Limited performing their song Hawaii earlier this year on the Late Late Eurosong special. Picture: Andres Poveda

John Lydon’s late wife Nora Forster had picked out a pink tartan suit for his February appearance fronting Public Image Ltd’s bid to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The track ‘Hawaii’ was essentially a love letter to Nora, who he first met in 1975, and who passed away in April, just a few months after PiL failed in their bid to become Ireland’s representatives.

Back in 2018, Lydon had revealed Nora was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. ‘Hawaii’ might have lost out to Wild Youth’s offering on the Late Late Show special, but it remains a powerful and moving song. The former Sex Pistol recalls the germination of ‘Hawaii’ when Pil guitarist Lu Edwards was messing about on his instrument after watching Elvis film Blue Hawaii.