Billy Idol celebrates 70
Billy Idol is regarded as one of the most influential figures to emerge from the punk-to-pop transition era
Billy Idol celebrates 70
Billy Idol was born as William Michael Albert Broad on 30 November 1955 in Stanmore, Middlesex, England. His mother, Joan (née O’Sullivan), was from Cork, Ireland, and his father, William Alfred Broad, was an English salesman. When he was two years old, his family moved to the United States — settling in Patchogue, New York — before returning to England about four years later.
During his childhood and teenage years, he lived in various parts of England, including Dorking and later Bromley; he studied at Ravensbourne School for Boys and later Worthing High School. In 1975 he briefly attended the University of Sussex but dropped out after a year to pursue music.
In the mid-1970s, attracted by the emerging punk rock movement in London, Billy became part of the loose fan-collective known as the Bromley Contingent, which followed The Sex Pistols to their gigs.
In late 1976 he joined the punk band Chelsea as guitarist. Soon dissatisfied with the direction under Chelsea’s vocalist, he and bassist Tony James left and — together with other musicians — formed the band Generation X.
Billy adopted the stage name “Billy Idol” during this period; reportedly the “Idol” came from a schoolteacher’s label “Billy is idle.” Within Generation X, Idol transitioned from guitarist to lead singer. The band emerged as one of the more melodic, pop-inclined branches of punk — mixing the energy of punk with accessible melodies.
They released singles that charted in the UK and built a following during the late 1970s. After Generation X disbanded around 1980, Billy Idol moved to New York City and launched a solo career, teaming up with guitarist Steve Stevens.
His debut solo album, Billy Idol, was released on 2 July 1982.
Riding the wave of the newly launched MTV, he found huge success with videos and hits like “Dancing with Myself,” “White Wedding,” and later — from his second album Rebel Yell (1983) — “Rebel Yell,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “Flesh for Fantasy,” and “Catch My Fall.”
Over the 1980s and beyond, Billy released several albums including Whiplash Smile (1986), Charmed Life (1990), and — later on — Cyberpunk (1993). His music bridged punk’s rebellious roots and mainstream rock/pop, making him one of the defining figures of the MTV-era “Second British Invasion” of America.
After a quieter period in the 1990s — including personal struggles and rebuilding — Billy returned with new albums, such as Devil’s Playground (2005), Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014), and other releases.
His career has spanned punk rock, hard rock, new wave and pop — demonstrating his versatility and lasting influence.
Billy Idol has acknowledged his turbulent years — marked by excesses typical of rock stardom. In 1990 he suffered a serious motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg. Despite these challenges, he managed to bounce back, continue performing and recording, and remain relevant through decades.
Today, Billy Idol is regarded as one of the most influential figures to emerge from the punk-to-pop transition era — a musician who evolved with the times while retaining his original rebellious spark.
Look back at the 1987 music video for “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
Watch more 1980’s related videos
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