Billy Idol
Biography
William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, was born on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. He was an early architect of the sound and style of punk rock. His family moved to Long Island, New York when he was two, before returning to England. In the mid-1970s, he became part of the Bromley Contingent, a group of followers of the Sex Pistols. His stage name, Billy Idol, was derived from a school teacher's comment calling him "idle."
Generation X
In 1976, Idol, along with Tony James, formed the punk rock band Generation X. Idol was the lead singer of the group. They signed with Chrysalis Records and released three studio albums, achieving success in the United Kingdom before disbanding in 1981. Their sound incorporated elements of pop and romance into the punk scene. The song "Dancing with Myself" was originally recorded for their final album, "Kiss Me Deadly."
Solo Career and Stardom
In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City to launch his solo career, collaborating with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut solo album, "Billy Idol," was released in 1982 and found commercial success. He became a prominent figure on MTV with music videos for "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding." His second album, "Rebel Yell" (1983), was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles like the title track and "Eyes Without a Face," which reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified double platinum in the United States.
Continued Success and Motorcycle Accident
Idol's success continued with the 1986 album "Whiplash Smile," which included the hits "To Be a Lover," "Don't Need a Gun," and "Sweet Sixteen." A 1987 live version of "Mony Mony" topped the US charts. In February 1990, he was in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly cost him a leg. This incident impacted his career, including forcing him to take a smaller role in the film "The Doors" and lose a potential major role in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." Despite his injuries, he released the album "Charmed Life" in 1990, which featured the hit "Cradle of Love." The music video for "Cradle of Love" was filmed from the waist up due to his inability to walk at the time.
Later Career
Idol's 1993 album, "Cyberpunk," was a departure from his previous work and did not perform well commercially. He took a hiatus for much of the latter 1990s to focus on his personal life. He made a comeback with the release of "Devil's Playground" in 2005, his first new studio album in nearly 12 years. He followed this with "Kings & Queens of the Underground" in 2014 and published his autobiography, "Dancing with Myself," the same year. In recent years, he has continued to release new music, including the EPs "The Roadside" (2021) and "The Cage" (2022). In 2025, he was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His latest studio album, "Dream Into It," was announced for a 2025 release.