Highlights - Musicians
A
rebel yelling!
Spiky
blond hair cut + dopey crooked sneer + leather goods = Billy
Idol. Born William Albert Michael Broad on November 30th,
1955, Billy Idol started his musical career in 1976 as a member
of the Bromley Contingent, a group of followers of the Sex
Pistols, which included members of the Clash and Siouxsie
& the Banshees. The then Mr. Broad changed his name to Idol.
A school teacher had returned a paper proclaiming him "idle"
in class; he then twisted the word into a parody of rock idols.
A parody that would later define his comment on his. The biting
irony of the moniker is almost too much for one brain to bear.
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Idol
teamed with lyric writer and bass guitarist Tony James (later
of Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Sisters of Mercy). Both joined the
well-known punk legend Chelsea in its first incarnation, with
Idol on the guitar. Idol and James subsequently left and formed
Generation X, taking the name from a book about 60's Youth Rock
Culture.
Generation
X popped up in London in 1979. Idol and James were often criticized
for embracing commercial music. Whatever the verdict, Generation
X certainly pumped out smooth and pop-based sounds, especially
when compared to the rebellious style of the era's punk-driven
masses.
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Though
Generation X never toured the US, they did take it by storm
in 1980 with their single named "Dancing with Myself," featured
on their last album with a new shortened name: GENX. "Kiss
Me Deadly" was released with no impact in England. A breakup
followed due to managerial problems. |
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Most fans cite Gen X's first album as the best, and point
to the U.S. version as the best mix of songs. The band's third
and last album, Kiss Me Deadly owed much to Idol and James,
who spearheaded the entire effort. Produced by Keith Forsey
(the man who would later shape Idol's sound), this album featured
a working version of "Dancing With Myself." That title would
later bring Idol fame on his solo album. |
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After
the band stopped producing records in 1981, Idol's pop career
took off, and Sigue Sigue Sputnik earned the dubious distinction
of having the first advertisement on a pop record. |
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Idol, disillusioned with his homeland, made a pilgrimage
to New York City. He released an E.P. Don't Stop in 1981,
with 2 GENX remixes and a cover of Tommy James's "Mony Mony."
Idol utilized producer Keith Forsey, ex-Kiss manager Bill
Aucoin, and ex-Elvis bodyguard Ed Parker in his corner.
Idol then found raven-haired, spikey-top, veteran New York
guitarist Steve Stevens. They released four records together:
Billy Idol, Rebel Yell, Whiplash Smile, and a best-of-studio-mixes
album, Vital Idol.
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Before
the release of the album Charmed Life in 1990, Idol had a
near-tragic motorcycle accident in which he almost lost a
leg. The artist recovered to release Cyberpunk (1993), a work
that combined the writings of William Gibson and the likes
with a computer driven techno back beat. |
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