Rolling Sex Beatles For The Olympics?

Keith Richards, Paul McCartney and John Lydon

Some news stories contain such a heady mix of excitement, horror and wishful thinking, no one is entirely sure how best to react: this next item is a perfect example.

Next year sees London play host to the Olympic Games, and as is now traditional, there’s going to be a ceremony which will be eye-peeling, ear-shredding and very probably taste-destroying in its splendour. It’s being directed by Danny Boyle, the man who gave us Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. These are the facts.

Where we move into slightly more imaginative territory is the rumour that Danny is approaching rock legends such as Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lydon and the Rolling Stones to form some kind of supergroup, to really get things going with a bang.

Now, let’s just stop for a minute here. Do we think this could be a good thing? Would it possibly be a very bad thing? And does Johnny Rotten REALLY fit into a group made up of Beatles and Stones?

Sir Steve Redgrave — four-time gold medal winning oarsman — can see no problems with it at all. He told the People newspaper (via the Express): “The London Games gives us a chance to celebrate our own history… We have to show the world what we are good at. If Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo came together with great bands like the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols it would be fantastic.”

“They are a huge part of our history. It would kick off the party and put us centre of the world’s attention.”

Yes but would it do the musicians any good? And since when did Britain need any help celebrating our successes in the rock and pop fields? For now, let’s just file this under “we’ll believe it when we see it.”

A good idea or a terrible idea? Tell us here.