Which punk band was formed by John Lydon after leaving the Sex Pistols?

John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd after leaving the Sex Pistols. Known as Johnny Rotten during his Sex Pistols years, Lydon departed the band in January 1978 and soon began developing a more experimental musical project.

PiL formed in London in June 1978 with guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble and drummer Jim Walker. The group moved away from the short, aggressive format of punk, combining dub, noise, disco, avant-garde rock and heavy bass. Lydon officially named the band Public Image in July 1978, adding “Ltd” when the company was incorporated.

Their debut album, First Issue, arrived in 1978, followed by the influential Metal Box in 1979. A common mix-up is confusing PiL with another Sex Pistols offshoot, The Professionals, which was formed by Steve Jones and Paul Cook. PiL’s long-running constant has been Lydon, even as its other members and sound changed substantially.