His popularity was due to a charismatic mix of bad boy charm, punk attitude and catchy hooks, not to mention innate good looks. He was one of the first artists of the early 80s to gain considerable recognition through the newly born television network MTV.
How William Broad Became Billy Idol
Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955 in Middlesex, England. His name came from a teacher who had labeled him “idle” in class. That turned into a joke about his love for rock idols and William Broad became Billy Idol. Idol was discovered his love for rowdy, punk music and became part of the Browley Contingent; a group of punks that followed around the Sex Pistols. Here he honed his talents and eventually started a band, Chelsea, with future Clash guitarist Mick Jones and future Damned guitarist Brian James. When Chelsea failed to get off the ground, Idol left with fellow Chelsea member, bassist Tony James, and formed Generation X in 1976.
Billy Idol Starts Solo Career
Disappointed by the band’s eventual split, Billy Idol relocated to New York City to start a solo career. Idol picked a collaborator/guitarist named Steve Stevens and together they released Billy Idol’s self-titled debut in 1982. The record contained the hits “White Wedding” and “Dancing with Myself”, both of which had videos in heavy rotation on MTV. The videos focus on Idol’s trademark bleached, spiked hair and angry sneer. The album went gold, setting Idol up for his commercial breakthrough; 1984’s Rebel Yell.
Idol’s Streak of Platinum Records
Rebel Yell went double platinum, becoming the best selling album of Idol’s career. Idol reveled in his success for a few years before releasing Whiplash Smile in 1987. This album, though not as big as Rebel Yell, did well on the strength of two hits, “To be a Lover” and “Sweet Sixteen.”
Billy Idol Best Of
Later that year, an 8 disc best-of set was released, titled Vital Idol. This kept Billy in the spotlight while he worked on his next album. As he worked on his fourth studio release, Idol appeared in 1989’s remake of The Who’s Tommy as sadistic Cousin Kevin. Three years after Vital Idol, he released Charmed Life which featured the hit “Cradle of Love.” Charmed Life kept up Idol’s tradition of albums reaching at least platinum level sales.
Cyperpunk Fails to Finds Fans
In an unexpected move Billy Idol’s fifth studio album, 1993’s Cyberpunk, displayed Idol without his trademark spiked hair; instead he is shown with dreads. Stylistically, he experimented with techno beats. Fans failed to respond to the new Idol and the album tanked. Idol sank into drug addiction and in 1994 he overdosed and ended up in an L.A. hospital for treatment.
Idol Returns in The Wedding Singer
Idol spent four years out of the limelight until he resurfaced again in The Wedding Singer for a cameo as himself. This caused renewed interest in the singer. Idol reunited with guitarist Steve Stevens for a VH1 Behind the Music special and a Storytellers episode that which was eventually released on CD. Idol released a more extensive greatest hits album in 2001 sold 500,000 albums in the U.S. alone. Billy Idol continues to tour annually in small venues across the US.
