Billy Idol Best "rock voice" of the 80s Date of Birth: 30.11.1955 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Billy Idol

Born on November 30, 1955, in England, Billy Idol, whose real name is William Michael Albert Broad, is a British rock musician. His biography resembles the stories of many great rock musicians. In his youth, Billy Idol was a decent and calm boy who studied English literature at university. However, his life took a wild turn when he immersed himself in the vibrant world of punk. He dyed his hair a dazzling white color, adopted the modest pseudonym Idol, and in 1976, formed the band Chelsea, inspired by the Sex Pistols. While Chelsea didn't last long, the white-haired guy soon became one of the leading figures in the British punk scene.

After Chelsea, Billy Idol joined the band Generation X as a vocalist and recorded three albums with the band. Although the group had moderate success at home, they were embraced by audiences in the United States. Perhaps the warm reception from Americans played a role when Billy contemplated where to start his solo career. He chose the city of contrasts - New York. With the help of former Kiss manager Bill Aucoin, Idol recorded his debut EP. His "bad boy" image, memorable melodies, and ambiance quickly propelled him to superstardom. In 1982, his first full-length solo album, "Billy Idol," was released. Working with guitarist Steve Stevens, who continues to collaborate with him to this day, the album was well-received, and the single "Hot in the City" made it onto the US charts.

The real breakthrough came with the release of his second album, "Rebel Yell." The album nearly reached platinum status, and his concerts, filled with true punk drive, gained immense popularity among audiences. Billy Idol became a true star, fully justifying his chosen pseudonym - Idol. Songs like "Rebel Yell," "Eyes Without a Face," and "Flesh for Fantasy" became radio and television hits. "Rebel Yell" achieved double platinum status and won a Grammy award. The "Rebel Yell" tour lasted for nine months, and every evening Billy took the stage in his trademark leather attire. Reflecting on those times, he recalls, "I carried two pairs of leather pants with me. One pair would dry while I wore the other. Leather would shrink from sweat. Initially, I struggled to put the pants on, stretching them over the calf, then the knee, then the hip, and only then trying to put them on my ass. The pants needed to be heated so that the legs wouldn't stick together. Below the waist, my whole body turned blue because the pants were actively dying."

His next albums, "Whiplash Smile" (1986) and "Charmed Life" (1990), also achieved great success, with "Whiplash Smile" winning a Grammy award for "Best Rock Vocal." In between these albums, Billy Idol released the dance remix album "Vital Idol," which became the first remix album in history to reach the top ten.

Towards the end of the 1980s, Billy Idol distanced himself slightly from the hardcore punk image. He participated in several public actions and performed in a London production of The Who's rock opera, Tommy. The year 1990 was ambiguous for Idol: he starred in Oliver Stone's film "The Doors" and was involved in a major motorcycle accident, miraculously surviving. It took him three years to recover, and only after that time did he release his new, rather dark album, "Cyberpunk." However, his release was overshadowed by his increasing involvement with drugs and his appearances in police records.

In the late 1990s, Billy Idol decided to turn his life around. He returned to performing, played himself in the 1998 film "The Wedding Singer," and released the greatest hits album in 2001. In September 2013, he announced his work on a new album featuring songs that had been performed at recent concerts. The new album, "Kings & Queens of the Underground," was released in 2014. It showcased an adult reflecting on his past without seeking to relive or reclaim it. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics. In 2016, a limited edition vinyl release of the live album "BFI Live!" featuring songs from the tour supporting "Kings & Queens of the Underground," was released. In 2018, a reissue of the remix album "Vital Idol" was announced.