Billy Idol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Idol
Idol performing with supergroup Generation X in 2023
Background information
Birth name	William Michael Albert Broad
Born	(1955-11-30) 30 November 1955 (age 69) Stanmore, Middlesex England
Genres	Punk rock hard rock glam rock dance-punk post-punk new wave power pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1976–present
Labels	Chrysalis EMI Sanctuary BFI

William Michael Albert Broad (born November 30, 1955), known as Billy Idol, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He became famous in the 1970s as the lead singer of the punk rock band Generation X in London. Later, he started a solo career and became a big star during the "Second British Invasion" in the US, thanks to MTV.

Billy Idol started his music journey in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. He left after only a few weeks. With his bandmate Tony James, Idol formed Generation X. As their lead singer, the band became popular in the United Kingdom. They released three albums before breaking up.

In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to start his solo career. He teamed up with guitarist Steve Stevens. His first solo album, Billy Idol (1982), was a big hit. Music videos for his songs "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" were played a lot on the new MTV channel.

Idol's second album, Rebel Yell (1983), was also very successful. It included popular songs like "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face". This album sold over two million copies in the US. In 1986, he released Whiplash Smile. A greatest hits album, Idol Songs: 11 of the Best, came out in 1988 and sold very well in the UK. Idol also released Charmed Life (1990) and Cyberpunk (1993).

In the late 1990s, Idol spent time away from the public eye. In 1990, he had a serious motorcycle accident and broke his leg. He made a musical return with Devil's Playground in 2005. Later, he released Kings & Queens of the Underground in 2014.

Billy Idol's Early Life

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. His parents were religious and went to church often. His mother was from Cork, Ireland, making him half Irish.

In 1958, when he was two, his family moved to the US. They lived in Patchogue, New York and Rockville Centre, New York. His younger sister, Jane, was born there. Four years later, the family moved back to England and settled in Dorking, Surrey.

In 1971, his family moved to Bromley in London, where Idol went to Ravensbourne School for Boys. Later, they moved to Goring-by-Sea in West Sussex, and he attended Worthing High School for Boys. In October 1975, he started studying English at the University of Sussex but left after one year in 1976. He then joined the Bromley Contingent, a group of fans who followed the band Sex Pistols.

Music Career Highlights

Starting with Generation X

The name "Billy Idol" came from a chemistry teacher's note on his school report card, which called him "idle." In an interview in 1983, Idol said the name was "a bit of a goof." He also mentioned in 2014 that he first wanted to use "Billy Idle" but thought it was too similar to Monty Python star Eric Idle, so he chose "Billy Idol" instead.

In late 1976, Billy Idol joined the new band Chelsea as a guitarist. The band's singer, Gene October, helped Idol change his look. Idol started wearing contact lenses and dyed his hair blonde with a short, spiky cut. After a few weeks, Idol and bassist Tony James left Chelsea. They formed Generation X, with Idol becoming the lead singer.

Generation X was one of the first punk bands to appear on the TV show Top of the Pops. Unlike other punk bands, they were inspired by 1960s British pop music. Idol said, "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."

In 1977, Idol sang "Your Generation" on the TV series Marc. Generation X signed with Chrysalis Records, released three albums, and appeared in the 1980 film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage before they broke up.

Becoming a Solo Star

Idol in 1983

In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City to start his solo career. He worked with Bill Aucoin, who used to manage the band Kiss. Idol's punk style mixed well with the glam rock look of his new guitarist, Steve Stevens. They also worked with bassist Phil Feit and drummer Gregg Gerson.

Idol's solo career began with the EP (Extended Play) Don't Stop in 1981. It included the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself" and a cover of "Mony Mony" by Tommy James and the Shondells. His first full solo album, Billy Idol, came out in July 1982.

Billy Idol became a regular on MTV during the "Second British Invasion" of the US in 1982. His music videos for "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself" were very popular. The "White Wedding" video was directed by David Mallet and played often on MTV.

Rebel Yell (1983), Idol's second album, was a huge success. It made him a big name in the United States with hit songs like "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without a Face", and "Flesh for Fantasy". "Eyes Without a Face" reached number four on the US Billboard chart.

Later Albums and Comeback

Idol performing during the Cradle of Love Tour, 1990

Idol released Whiplash Smile in 1986, which sold well. This album included hits like "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun", and "Sweet Sixteen". He filmed the video for "Sweet Sixteen" at Coral Castle in Florida.

A remix album called Vital Idol was released in 1987. It featured a live version of his cover of "Mony Mony". In 1987, this single became a number one hit in the United States.

On February 6, 1990, in Hollywood, Idol was in a serious motorcycle accident. He nearly lost his leg. This accident also affected his acting career. He was supposed to play a big role in the film The Doors (1991) but his part was reduced. He was also the first choice for the villain T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), but the role went to someone else because of his injuries.

Charmed Life was released in 1990. The music video for the song "Cradle of Love" had to be filmed with Idol shown only from the waist up because he couldn't walk. The video was played a lot on MTV. "Cradle of Love" earned Idol a nomination for a Grammy Award.

In 1993, Idol released Cyberpunk. This album was seen as experimental and was recorded at home using a computer. It took ten months to make. The album didn't do as well in the United States, but it had some success in Europe. Idol toured in Europe and even played a Generation X reunion show in 1993.

He released the song "Speed" in 1994, which was featured in the movie soundtrack for Speed. Idol also appeared in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler, playing himself. The movie's soundtrack included "White Wedding."

In 2001, VH1 aired a show about Billy Idol called Billy Idol – Behind the Music. Idol and Steve Stevens also performed on a VH1 Storytellers show. A new Greatest Hits CD was released in 2001, which sold one million copies in the United States.

In 2002, Billy Idol was scheduled to perform at the 2002 NRL Grand Final in Sydney. He entered the field on a hovercraft to "White Wedding," but a power failure stopped his performance after only two words.

Recent Years and Recognition

Idol performing on stage in London, 2005

Devil's Playground, released in March 2005, was Idol's first new album in almost 12 years. It reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 chart. Idol performed at several music festivals that year.

In 2008, "Rebel Yell" became a playable song in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour, and "White Wedding" was added to Rock Band 2. On June 24, 2008, Idol released another greatest hits album, The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself. He then went on a world tour with Def Leppard.

Idol performing live at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, 2013

In 2010, Billy Idol was announced as a performer at the Download Festival in England. He said he would bring his "punk rock attitude, Steve Stevens, and all of my classic songs." In March 2010, he added guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson to his touring band.

Idol performing live at the 2015 NHL Winter Classic in Washington, D.C.

In October 2014, Idol released his eighth album, Kings & Queens of the Underground. He worked with producers Trevor Horn and Greg Kurstin on this album. His autobiography, Dancing with Myself, was published on October 7, 2014, and became a New York Times bestseller.

In February 2020, Idol starred in a public service campaign in New York City called "Billy Never Idles." This campaign aimed to stop people from leaving their car engines running when not driving, to reduce air pollution. Idol teamed up with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio for the campaign, telling people, "If you're not driving, shut your engine off!"

He was also a guest singer on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus' album Plastic Hearts, released in November 2020. In 2016, Idol and Cyrus performed "Rebel Yell" together at the iHeartRadio Festival.

On August 12, 2021, Idol's music video "Bitter Taste" was released. Idol also announced his new EP The Roadside, which came out on September 17. Another EP, The Cage, was released on September 23, 2022.

In March 2022, Idol had to cancel a tour with Journey due to a health issue. In September 2022, he started his postponed Roadside Tour.

On January 6, 2023, Billy Idol received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In April that year, Idol played the first-ever concert at the Hoover Dam. Idol is still a member of Generation X, and they performed at Glastonbury in 2023.

Billy Idol's Band Members

Billy Idol's live band includes:

• Billy Idol – lead vocals (since 1981)
• Steve Stevens – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1981–1987, 1993–1995, since 1999)
• Stephen McGrath – bass, backing vocals (since 2001)
• Billy Morrison – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (since 2010)
• Erik Eldenius – drums (since 2012)
• Paul Trudeau – keyboards, backing vocals (since 2014)

Billy Idol's Albums

Studio Albums

• Billy Idol (1982)
• Rebel Yell (1983)
• Whiplash Smile (1986)
• Charmed Life (1990)
• Cyberpunk (1993)
• Devil's Playground (2005)
• Happy Holidays (2006)
• Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014)

Extended Plays (EPs)

• Don't Stop (1981)
• The Roadside (2021)
• The Cage (2022)

Awards and Nominations

Billy Idol has received several awards and nominations for his music:

ASCAP Pop Music Awards

Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards

Grammy Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

The MTV Video Music Awards are given out every year by MTV.

Brit Awards

The Brit Awards are the main pop music awards in Britain.

Pollstar Concert Industry Awards

Images for kids

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  Idol performing at the Milton Keynes Bowl in 1993

See also

In Spanish: Billy Idol para niños