On PIL, ABS and Me

There is a great post up at the Nation Sack about the 1980 appearance of Public Image Ltd. on American Bandstand. Here's what it looked like (thanks to You Tube). Stark Pimp writes:

And at so many points Lydon looks so eerily like a young and newly electric Bob Dylan, jubilant like a man who has discovered the delights of a nice suit of clothes made just for you, and screw all that slumming bohemian costumery I had so stupidly stuck myself with up til now.

It is a pretty amazing performance. Lydon lipsyncs--or doesn't--and the band mimes their instruments, but instead of being weak it is totally riveting and invigorating. What band could make lipsyncing this vital? PIL tears it apart. I've never seen a band make not playing a song so wonderfully meaningful. By the end everyone has engulfed the band and are helping Lydon beat on the drums.

My favorite moment is in between their two songs, Dick Clark talks to the band and to Lydon, who has spirited himself up to the top of one of the dance towers. He reminds me of a freightened possum--unsure of what he has done and scared to take the hand offered to him.