Best Known As: Singer of the pop songs "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding"
Name at birth: William Michael Albert Broad
Billy Idol was a bleached-hair, fist-pounding, lip-snarling punk-pop star of MTV in the 1980s, thanks to hit songs such as "Dancing With Myself," "White Wedding," and "Rebel Yell." He got his start in London's punk scene in the late 1970s, and made a name for himself as the lead singer of the band Generation X (1976-81). For his solo career he moved to New York and joined guitarist Steve Stevens for a release of "Mony Mony" and a dance version of the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself." Idol's first album took a while to catch on, but the early days of MTV made him a star, and by the end of the 1980s he'd had a string of hits, including "Hot in the City," "Eyes Without a Face," "Flesh for Fantasy" and "Cradle of Love." Idol had a punk rock pedigree and commercial rock sensibilities, and his bad boy persona extended beyond rock arenas and sound studios to include brushes with the law and a life-threatening motorcycle accident (1990). During the '90s he faded into the background, only to be resurrected as part of a nostalgic wave by the end of the decade. He rejoined Stevens for performances, an album of Christmas songs and a greatest hits compilation, and released an album of new material, Devil's Playground, in 2005.
Born William Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, England; son of a salesman; children: Willem Wolf Broad.
Singer, songwriter; formed Chelsea in 1976; started Generation X soon after and released three albums, including seven hit singles; moved to New York in 1981, released mini LP; hooked up with guitarist Steve Stevens and released debut LP, 1982; has since recorded three more and a greatest hits package; released Charmed Life, 1990, and Cyberpunk, 1993; appeared in the Wedding Singer, 1998; performed on VH1, leading to the release of VH1 Storytellers, 2002; reunited with guitarist Steve Stevens and released Devil's Playground, 2005.
A product of the late 1970s British punk movement, Billy Idol has become one of the most popular and successful vocalists in contemporary rock. His group, Generation X, was extremely popular in the United Kingdom, while his subsequent solo career has developed a worldwide following. Along with his guitarist, Steve Stevens, he has created hard-driving albums, electrifying live shows, and unique videos.
Idol was born William Broad in Stanmore, England, and spent four years with his family in Long Island, New York, before returning to his homeland. At the age of ten his grandfather bought him a guitar at London's Woolworth store and he soon began learning chords from an instruction book. As a teenager he listened to American artists like Iggy and the Stooges, Lou Reed, the New York Dolls, and the Doors. Soon he was writing his own tunes in a similar vein. After dropping out of college, Idol began hanging out at Malcolm McClaren's Sex clothes shop on King's Road (a popular hangout for local punkers who were known as the Bromley Contingent, including Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Clash, and the Sex Pistols, among others).
Idol put an ad in Melody Maker, stating simply, "I want to form a group." Bassist Tony James answered the ad, and in August of 1976 they formed Chelsea with vocalist Gene October. The group only lasted two months, but Idol and James started another band, Generation X, the following year. In August of 1977 they released their self-titled debut LP, of which Dave Marsh wrote in The Rolling Stone Record Guide, "Billy Idol was a bit too slick to be effective."
Even though they never were big in the United States, Generation X became extremely popular in England. They recorded seven hit singles, including "Ready Steady Go," "Your Generation" (in answer to the Who's "My Generation"), and "Wild Youth," while becoming the first punk band to appear on the British Top of the Pops television show. Even then Idol could see that the punk attitude would soon burn itself out. He told Paul Gambaccini in Rolling Stone, "We have to open ourselves up as human beings. We can't just yell out our frustrations…. What we left out was how we feel about things, rather than how we think about things. That's what we're trying to do now; put more soul, more emotion, into our music."
Because of management hassles, Generation X eventually folded after the group's third LP. In March of 1981 he moved to Greenwich Village in New York City. "I came looking for new people to play with," he told Rolling Stone. "I'd been hanging out in London for ages; it was a closed scene." He released a mini LP, Don't Stop, and the cut "Dancing with Myself" was soon heard in the city's nightclubs while the LP stayed on the charts for 50 weeks. He ran into Steve Stevens on and off for about nine months when the guitarist finally left his group, Fine Malibus, and the two began writing tunes together.
In May of 1982 Billy Idol was released and, on the strength of "Hot in the City," "White Wedding," and "Come On, Come On," the album stayed on the charts for over a year and a half. They toured the country with Phil Feit on bass and Steve Missal on drums, before bringing in a new rhythm section for Idol's second LP, Rebel Yell. The album made the top ten as keyboardist Judy Dozier, bassist Steve Webster, and drummer Tommy Price provided support on three more hits: "Rebel Yell," "Eyes without a Face," and "Flesh for Fantasy." Idol's Presley-like sneer and gut-wrenching vocals were a perfect match for Stevens's uniquely fresh guitar playing. Also acting as Idol's musical director, Stevens told Guitar World, "He's such a rock and roll fan, if he brings me something with three chords, it's got so much spirit that it makes it really exciting to work with him." The two co-wrote eight of the songs for Rebel Yell.
It would be three more years until the next LP from Idol, Whiplash Smile. The single "To Be a Lover" received heavy airplay on both MTV and FM radio, and topped out at number six on the charts, and the group then embarked on a massive arena tour. The group now consisted of Susie Davis on keyboards and Kenny Aaronson on bass, with Price continuing as drummer. Despite a reputation for being rude, nasty, and stuck-up, Idol is perhaps just putting on a front. "I don't want to mess with Billy's image," Aaronson told Guitar Player, "but he is easily the nicest 'star' I've ever worked with."
In 1987 Chrysalis issued a greatest hits package, Vital Idol, which produced two more hits for the singer: "Mony Mony" (which made it to number one in the United States) and "Sweet 16" (number 17 in the United Kingdom).
Idol released Charmed Life in 1990, and while songs like "Cradle of Love" received good exposure on MTV, the album seemed less inspired than his previous two efforts. Partly due to the departure of Steve Stevens, the album lacked the blazing guitar work that had graced early albums. Idol was also the victim of a serious motorcycle accident that severely injured one of his legs and forced him to temporarily rely on a walking cane. Still, despite these artistic and personal difficulties, Charmed Life lived up to its name, reaching platinum status. The release of 1993's Cyberpunk, however, brought Idol's career to a halt. An attempt to transform his music from popular punk to techno beat, the album was panned by critics, and found little chart success. To further complicate matters, Idol had sunk deep into drug addiction, leading to a near fatal overdose in 1994.
Throughout the remainder of the 1990s Idol remained on the sidelines. His career, however, began a slow revival following an appearance in the movie The Wedding Singer in 1998, and the issue of Greatest Hits in 2001. The real key to his comeback, however, relied on an inspired performance on VH1 Storytellers in 2001, reminding audiences how central the singer had been to the new wave scene during the early and mid-1980s.
In 2005, 12 years after the release of Cyberpunk, Idol released Devil's Playground, a recording that found the singer reunited with Stevens and returning to his roots. While the album didn't spell Idol's return to mainstream success, Devil's Playground did reach number 46 on Billboard's 200 chart. After catching one of Idol's high energy live shows, the New York Post wrote, "Yeah, the '80s are history—but with high-octane gigs like this, Idol won't be dancing with himself any time soon."
Sources Books Christgau, Robert, Christgau's Record Guide, Ticknor & Fields, 1981. Clifford, Mike, consultant, The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, Salamander, 1988. Lazell, Barry, with Dafydd Rees and Luke Crampton, Rock Movers & Shakers, Banson, 1989. Marsh, Dave, with John Swenson, The Rolling Stone Record Guide, Random House/Rolling Stone Press, 1979. Miller, Jim, editor, The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, Random House/Rolling Stone Press, 1976. Nite, Norm N., with Charles Crespo, Rock On, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, Volume 3, Harper, 1985.
Periodicals Guitar Player, November 1984; May 1986. Guitar World, May 1986; July 1987. New York Post, September 12, 2003, p. 49. Rolling Stone, July 13, 1978; March 29, 1984; January 31, 1985.
Along with Duran Duran, Billy Idol was one the first pop/rock artists to achieve massive success in the early '80s due to a then brand-new U.S. television network, MTV. Mixing his bad-boy good looks with an appealing blend of pop hooks, punk attitude, and a dance beats, Idol quickly rocketed to stardom, before hard living derailed his career and almost proved fatal. Born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Middlesex, England, the youngster relocated with his family for a brief spell to New York, before returning back to England. After a stint at Sussex University only last a year, Broad found himself as part of a group of teen punk rockers who befriended and followed the Sex Pistols, known as "the Bromley Contingent" (a member of this colorful group of characters was Siouxsie Sioux, eventual leader of Siouxsie & the Banshees).
It wasn't long before Broad realized that he too could be the frontman of a punk band, and assumed the name Billy Idol shortly thereafter. After a stint playing guitar in a group called Chelsea didn't pan out (interestingly, the group featured future Clash guitarist Mick Jones and future Damned guitarist Brian James), Idol put down the guitar and picked up the mic, and recruited bassist Tony James, drummer John Towe, and guitarist Bob Andrews, forming Generation X in 1976. Named after a 1960s paperback book, the band signed a recording contract with Chrysalis shortly thereafter (Towe was replaced with new skinsman Mark Laff) -- resulting in such releases as 1978's self-titled debut, 1979's Valley of the Dolls, and 1981's Kiss Me Deadly -- before splitting up.
Disappointed with Generation X's demise, Idol relocated to New York City, where he pursued a career as a solo artist. Hooking up with Kiss manager Bill Aucoin, Idol issued the 1981 EP Don't Stop (comprised of a cover of Tommy James' '60s hit "Mony Mony" and a pair of remixed Generation X tracks), which helped the singer score another record deal with his former band's label, Chrysalis. Idol found the perfect collaborator and partner in guitarist/Johnny Thunders look-alike Steve Stevens, and issued a self-titled debut in July of 1982. A pair of eye-catching videos for the tracks "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself" (the latter a remake of a Generation X composition) scored major air time on MTV, with both clips focusing in on Idol's spiky, peroxide blonde hair and Elvis-like sneer. The debut eventually obtained gold certification, and set the stage perfectly for Idol's big commercial breakthrough, 1984's Rebel Yell.
Rebel Yell became the singer's best-selling album of his career (eventually going double platinum), spawning such big-time MTV/radio hits as the album's anthemic title track, "Eyes Without a Face," and "Flesh for Fantasy," establishing Idol as an arena headliner stateside. But with massive success came its many distractions, which prevented Idol from issuing a new studio album until three years after Rebel Yell. 1987's Whiplash Smile was another sizeable hit on the strength of such hits as "To Be a Lover" and "Sweet Sixteen," but failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by his previous releases. Stevens jumped ship shortly thereafter to launch his own band, Steve Stevens' Atomic Playboys (and eventually was a member of Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil's solo band), leaving Idol to fend for himself.
An eight-track best-of set, Vital Idol, was issued later the same year, spawning one of the year's most heavily played MTV videos -- a live version of the previously recorded cover of "Mony Mony" -- which helped keep Idol in the spotlight. Idol spent the next few years working on his fourth studio release, but reappeared in the summer of 1989 as part of an all-star rendition of the Who's Tommy, with Idol playing the role of the sadistic character Cousin Kevin. Around the time of Idol's next release, 1990's Charmed Life, the singer was involved in a serious motorcycle accident (in which he almost lost his leg), forcing the singer to walk with a cane for a period of time; the video for the album's lead-off single, "Cradle of Love," featured the singer filmed from the waist up. The ploy worked, as the single (which was also used as the theme song in the failed Andrew "Dice" Clay movie, Ford Fairlane) was another smash hit, making Charmed Life the fourth Idol album in a row to achieve at least reach platinum sales.
Expectedly, several years passed before the release of Idol's next album, during which time he tried his hand at acting with a bit part in Oliver Stone's motion picture The Doors. By the time 1993's Cyberpunk surfaced, Idol had dropped his spiky peroxide hairstyle in place of dreadlocks, and experimented with techno beats. The move proved to be an unwise one, as the album tanked and sank from the charts. At the same time, Idol was knee deep in drug addiction, resulting in another close brush with death when he overdosed and had to be treated in a Los Angeles hospital in 1994. Not much was heard from Idol until 1998, when he made a cameo appearance (as himself) in the hit Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore comedy The Wedding Singer, which resulted in renewed interest. Idol teamed up once again with Stevens, was the subject of a VH1: Behind the Music special (as well as a Storytellers episode for the channel, which was ultimately issued as a CD), and issued a more extensive Greatest Hits set in 2001; the latter of which sold 500,000 copies in the U.S. alone. Next up was his first studio album since Cyberpunk, Devil's Playground, released on Sanctuary in 2005. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi
William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an Englishrockmusician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. He then embarked on a successful solo career, aided by a series of stylish music videos, making him one of the first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens and has a worldwide fan base.
Idol was born in Stanmore, Middlesex, the son of a salesman.[1] He attended Tideway School in Newhaven, East Sussex. The name Billy Idol was inspired by a schoolteacher's description of Broad as "idle".[2]
In 1958, when Idol was two years old, his parents moved to Patchogue, New York, on Long Island. The family returned to England four years later with Idol and a younger child Jane (who had been born in the US), settling in Dorking, Surrey.[1] In 1971 the family moved to Bromley, south east London, where Idol attended Ravensbourne School for Boys. Idol (rather William Broad) also attended Worthing High School for Boys (later becoming Worthing College). In October 1975, Idol went to Sussex University to pursue an English degree and lived on campus (East Slope) but left after year one (1976). He then went on to join the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, a gang that travelled into towns where the band played.[3][4]
Idol first joined the punk rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees (before the band had decided on that name) in 1976, but soon quit and joined Chelsea in 1977 as a guitarist. However, he and Chelsea bandmate Tony James soon left that group and co-founded Generation X, with Idol switching from guitarist to lead singer. Generation X were one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC Television music programmeTop of the Pops.[5] Although a punk rock band, they were inspired by mid-Sixties British pop, in sharp contrast to their more militant peers, with Idol stating; "We were saying the opposite to the Clash and the Pistols. They were singing 'No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones', but we were honest about what we liked. The truth was, we were all building our music on the Beatles and the Stones".[3] Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records and released three albums and performed in the 1980 film, D.O.A., before disbanding. Idol moved to New York in 1981, and became a soloartist working with Steve Stevens, Phil Feit and Steve Missal. Idol's debut solo album, Billy Idol, was released in July 1982.[6]
Early solo success
Idol's solo career began with the EP titled Don't Stop in 1981, which included the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself", originally recorded for their last album Kiss Me Deadly, and a cover of Tommy James & The Shondells' song "Mony Mony". In 1982, Idol became an MTV staple with "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself". In 1983, in an effort to introduce Idol to American audiences not yet as familiar with him as those in the UK, Idol's label released "Dancing with Myself" in the US in conjunction with a music video directed by Tobe Hooper, which played on MTV for six months.
Idol's second LP, Rebel Yell (1983) was a major success and established Idol's superstar status in the United States with hits like "Eyes Without a Face," "Flesh For Fantasy", and the title cut. Idol also became very popular in Europe thanks to this album and its singles, particularly in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and later in the UK. Tracks from the album featured in the 1988 Hollywood comedy film Big,[7] which starred Tom Hanks.
Idol released Whiplash Smile in 1986, which sold well. The album included the hits "To Be a Lover," "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen". Idol filmed a video featuring "Sweet Sixteen" (which he also wrote) in Florida's Coral Castle. The song was inspired by the story of Edward Leedskalnin's former love, Agnes Scuffs, who was the main reason Leedskalnin built the structure over a period of decades, starting years after she jilted him the day before their scheduled wedding in their native Latvia. Stevens parted ways with Idol after Whiplash Smile. In 1986, Stevens appeared with Harold Faltermeyer on the Top Gun soundtrack. Their contribution was the Grammy winning instrumental, "Top Gun Anthem".
A remix album was released in 1987 called, Vital Idol. The album featured a live rendition of his cover of Tommy James' "Mony Mony". The single topped the US chart in 1987.[citation needed]
In 1989, Idol appeared on stage with The Who as Cousin Kevin as part of the live version of Tommy, which was aired as an HBO special and released on home video and later as a DVD. In later years, Idol also stood in as a guest performer with The Who on "Bell Boy", a hit from their rock opera album Quadrophenia, and provided the lead vocals that were originally sung by the band's late drummer Keith Moon. On these brief appearances, Idol dressed in a full bell boy's uniform to reflect upon Moon's eccentricity on stage.
Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which nearly cost him a leg on 6 February 1990 at the corner of Gordon Avenue and Fountain Avenue in Hollywood.[8] He was hit by a car when he ran a stop sign while driving home from the studio one night, requiring a steel rod to be placed in his leg.[9] Shortly prior to this, film director James Cameron had chosen Idol to play the T-1000 character in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and had drawn storyboards to resemble him, but the accident prevented Idol from accepting.[10]
Charmed Life was released in 1990, and a video for the single "Cradle of Love" had to be shot. The song had been featured in the Andrew Dice Clay film, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. Since Idol was unable to walk, he was shot from the waist up. The video featured video footage of him singing in large frames throughout an apartment, while Betsy Lynn George was trying to seduce a businessman. The video was placed in rotation on MTV. Idol and George recreated the opening of the video for the 1991 American Music Awards.[citation needed] Against his doctors' advice, he also managed to make appearances to promote Charmed Life.
Idol made a cameo appearance in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler, in which Idol ultimately saved the relationship between characters Robbie Hart (Sandler) and Julia Sullivan (played by Drew Barrymore). Idol also had a small part in the movie The Doors, directed by Oliver Stone. Idol played Jim Morrison's drinking buddy, Cat.[11] Idol also performed at Roger Waters' live concert The Wall Live in Berlin in 1990.
Crisis and resurgence
Billy Idol in concert
In 1993, Idol released Cyberpunk. Regarded as experimental, it was recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer, which was a new concept at the time. Idol recorded the album with guitarist Mark Younger-Smith and producer Robin Hancock. Special editions of the album were issued with a floppy disc which contained a screensaver. It was the first album which listed the e-mail address of the artist (idol@well.sf.ca.us, which is now inactive) in its booklet. In 1996, Idol appeared in a live version of The Who's Quadrophenia. He returned to the public eye in 1998, when he played himself in The Wedding Singer, in which "White Wedding" was also the title track. He was also considered for the role of the villain, Jacob Kell, in Highlander: Endgame, although ultimately Bruce Payne was cast. He also shared the stage with the band Third Eye Blind.[citation needed]
VH1 aired Billy Idol - Behind the Music on 16 April 2001. The Behind the Music series was popular, and each band or artist that was featured on that program usually gained a resurgence of interest after the show had aired. Idol and Stevens were no exceptions, taking part in a VH1 Storytellers show three days later. The reunited duo set out to play a series of acoustic/storytellers shows before recording the VH1 special. The acoustic tour was a success, and Idol eventually started adding new material into the show. Another Greatest Hits CD was issued in 2001, with Keith Forsey's "Don't You (Forget About Me)" appearing on the compilation. Forsey had originally written it with Idol in mind, but the singer turned it down and eventually the song was given to Simple Minds, who made it a hit in 1985. The album also includes a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell", taken from a performance at Los Angeles station KROQ's 1993 Acoustic Christmas concert.
In 2000, Idol was invited to be a guest vocalist on Tony Iommi's album. His contribution was on the song "Into The Night", which he also co-wrote. That year he voice acted the role of Odin, a mysterious alien character, in the animated fantasy film Heavy Metal 2000. In the 2002 NRL Grand Final in Sydney, Idol entered the playing field for the pre-match entertainment on a hovercraft-type stage to the intro of "White Wedding", when he managed to sing only two words before a power failure ended the performance.[12] "White Wedding" appeared on popular video gameGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on fictional Classic rockradio station, K-DST.
In 2008, "Rebel Yell" appeared as a playable track on the video game, Guitar Hero World Tour, and "White Wedding" on Rock Band 2. The Rock Band 2 platform later gaining "Mony Mony" and "Rebel Yell" as downloadable tracks. On 24 June 2008, Idol released a new greatest hits album, The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself. The compilation featured two previously unreleased tracks, "John Wayne" and "New Future Weapon". A third track, "Fractured", was available for download on iTunes. He embarked on a worldwide tour, co-headlining with Def Leppard.
In July 2009, Idol performed at the Congress Theater, Chicago for the US TV series Soundstage. This performance was recorded and was released on DVD as In Super Overdrive Live, on 17 November 2009.[14]
Recent events
On 16 February 2010, Idol was announced as one of the acts to play the Download Festival in Donington Park. He stated, "With all of these great heavyweight and cool bands playing Download this year, I'm going to have to come armed with my punk rock attitude, Steve Stevens, and all of my classic songs plus a couple of way out covers. Should be fun!"[15] In March 2010, Idol added Camp Freddy guitarist, Billy Morrison[16] and drummer Jeremy Colson to his touring line-up.
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