How Did Billy Idol Get Into Punk Rock?

When we think of Billy Idol, we think of rock, but more specifically, punk rock. Spiky blonde, platinum hair, leather jacket, combat boots and biker gloves. It’s the typical fashion trend of rock bands. Obviously, this lifestyle fits him well, but he didn’t exactly grow up with it. In fact, his parents didn’t approve at all. He grew up in a religious family, regularly attending church as well as Boy Scouts until being asked to leave after kissing a girl (typical Billy).

Even after his parents pushed him to get an education at Sussex University, studying English and Philosophy in September 1975, he couldn’t help but notice the explosion of punk rock as it was a major distraction from his studies.

How Billy Idol Got Into Punk Rock

Billy got into punk rock through its widespread popularity in England. Even while attending college, he couldn’t focus on anything other than the crazy music genre. He formed a group of fans, calling themselves the Bromley Contingent, and followed an English punk rock band, The Sex Pistols, around London, hanging out at different venues.

Billy then made the leap to become a rockstar himself, changing his name from William Michael Albert Broad to Billy Idol after being inspired by his schoolteacher’s description of him as “idle”. Dropping out of school and starting his first band, the Rockettes, with his classmate, Steve Upstone. They played covers of a number of bands, including The Beatles, The Animals and The Doors. Starting their first gig at their school’s cafeteria, followed by one at a local youth hall. Unfortunately, they never recorded.

But they auditioned for famous music managers, including Malcolm McLaren and Bernie Rhodes, who told Steve he was the real star. After hearing this, along with his father’s disapproval, Billy Idol was only more determined to make it in the world of rock.

Billy Idol Name and Fame

Billy eventually started another band with another student, Tony James, first called Chelsea, then Generation X, when they started to get noticed. Generation X included Tony James playing the bass, Bob Andrews playing guitar, John Towe on drums and Billy on the lead vocals. They played their first show in November 1976, writing and recording their own material.

When Chrysalis Records listened and took notice, they offered Generation X a contract. But after dealing with management issues, three albums, internal issues as well as the declining popularity of punk rock, Idol decided it was time to go solo.

He moved to New York and found the manager of Kiss, Bill Aucoin. In 1981, the EP “Don’t Stop gave him the opportunity to sign a solo contract with Chrysalis. In 1982, he released his self-titled album “Billy Idol”, after finding a collaborator and partner with guitarist Steve Stevens. Idol then made it on MTV with a number of wildly popular music videos “White Wedding” and “Dancing with Myself”, which showed off his bleach blond spiky hair, sneer and leather jacket. In fact, his choice of clothing and hairstyle were just as popular (if not more) than his music.

In 1985, he released “Vital Idol” and his hit music video “Mony Mony” which kept him on the top stars list of MTV. In 1986, he released “Whiplash Smile”, which sold almost as well and gave him a nomination for a second Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (the first being “Rebel Yell”, although it didn’t live up to outside expectations. Shortly afterwards, his guitarist, Stevens left to form his own band after a falling out due to Idol’s drug addiction.

How Billy Idol Got His Hair

It’s not too common for a punk rock star to sport blonde spiky hair, but Billy pulls it off really well! At first, it was an accident, after one of his friends offered to dye it. He was first going put in blue highlights to match his punk rock theme. But first his hair needed to be dyed blonde in order to put in the color. But she forgot her blue dye, so he’d have to wait a week to add the highlights.

After looking in the mirror with the blonde hair, he didn’t think it was so bad. He even showed up to rehearsal with his group to see what they thought. At first, they were shocked and he said he’d dye it back. But of course, he never did and then it became his trademark.

Interests in Women

In his personal life, Idol was very involved with women. He met his first major girlfriend, Perri Lister, who was previously a member of the risqué dance group Hot Gossip in the 80s. The couple gave birth to their son Willem Wolf, in 1988. But Billy Idol couldn’t resist the temptations in the audience while on his Rebel Yell tour. Without computers and cable TV in his trailer, it was difficult to stay entertained. So he became caught up in some…distractions. A year later after his son was born, he had his daughter, Bonnie Blue, with another woman, Linda Mathis. Of course, there were many women before and after his child-bearing mothers, but now he says he is very committed to his current girlfriend, China Chow, who is a model-actress.

Drug Addiction

Regrettably, Billy Idol became caught up in a drug addiction as it was easily accessible in New York during the 80s. Specifically after breaking up with his girlfriend, Perri Lister, he took a sex holiday in Thailand that quickly got out of hand. Starting with heavy drinking with his friend, he asked a cab driver to get blow (cocaine), however, he was given a strong dose of heroin instead. After three weeks of partying and taking the drug, he ruined multiple hotels, causing $20,000 in damages before Thailand’s military personnel had to tranquilize him (to which he reacted violently) and physically removed him from the country.

Motorcycle Accident

After moving to Los Angeles in 1987, Billy wanted to try new things, taking on a new band and appearing in an all-star stage version of The Who’s “Tommy”. But in 1990 when his new album, “Charmed Life” was released, Billy was involved with a serious motorcycle accident. After running a stop sign on his Harley, he almost lost a leg and was confined to a hospital bed for six months.

He even managed to produce music while still recovering as his video “Cradle of Love” showed him from the waist up as his lower half was paralyzed. Even with his injuries, the album was a huge success, being his fourth in a row and getting platinum sales.

In 1991, he decided to try his hand at acting. Although his injuries caused him to forfeit his role in playing the model T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day against Arnold Schwarzenegger, because he was unable to sprint. He also had a part in the movie The Doors as one of Jim Morrison’s cronies, although it was significantly reduced.

In 1992, his attempts to land any other role were critically diminished after pleading guilty for punching companion Amber Novel outside a restaurant in West Hollywood. He had to pay $2700 in fines and appear in a series of anti-drug commercials.

Escaping Drugs

Billy Idol finally hit rock bottom after the release of his fifth record, Cyberpunk, which failed miserably. He turned to drugs to escape the stressful realities. But in 1994, he overdosed and was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital for treatment. After being discharged, he decided to come clean. He said “the drugs were a means to an end, not a reason for being.” But even today, according to an interview with Louder, he said he’s not completely sober, “I like to have a little bit of wine with dinner, and I smoke pot occasionally”.

Fatherhood

Billy Idol’s drug overdose in 1994 forced him to take a step back and focus on what really mattered in life: family. So he spent time with his kids, believing the best way to teach them is through his own actions. He doesn’t believe he was a bad father, but he certainly had problems with drugs. His move to Los Angeles was also a good decision as he said “the long-term effects of it have been healthy…although to a certain extent you’re never clear of it [drugs]. It’s always going to be in the background, a danger to you.

Appearance in The Wedding Singer

In 1998, Billy was given a shot at redeeming himself, essential beginning an Idol revival through a cameo appearance in the hit movie, The Wedding Singer, with Adam Sandler. Billy said he loved taking his kids to see Adam Sandler movies and was amused when he was presented with the opportunity. He was also happy that he was young enough to play himself in the 80s, even though he was ten years older.

Idol Revival

After his career was awakened again after his appearance in The Wedding Singer, he had a second wax model opening in Las Vegas. He partnered with Stevens (from Generation X) again and revived the old magic, releasing an extensive “Greatest Hits” in 2001 and selling over 500,000 copies in the U.S.

In 2014, Billy released his autobiography, Dancing with Myself, where he tells his story of ups and downs, who he is, was and “forever would be Idol”, (Billy Idol’s website). His most recent album, Kings & Queens of the Underground, was released in 2014 that highlights his best work, but adds “a healthy dose of maturity, musical depth, and charismatic reflection.”

Billy Idol Today

On October 30th, 2018, the former members of Generation X, Tony James and Billy Idol joined the former members of The Sex Pistols, Steve Hones and Paul Cook, to perform a free gig at the Roxy in Hollywood, Los Angeles. They played under the name Generation Sex, which combined the music from both bands.

In February of 2020, Billy starred in a public service campaign called “Billy Never Idles” which served to reduce the unnecessary idling of car engines in New York City to reduce air pollution. He teamed up with NYC mayor Bill de Blasio to open the campaign, which featured him saying “If you’re not driving, shut your damn engine off!”

His most recent work was when he was featured as a guest vocalist on the song “Night Crawling” from Miley Cyrus album Plastic Hearts, which was released in November 2020.

What Do You Think of Billy Idol?

If there was something significant about Billy Idol that was missed, I’d love to hear it! If you also have any memorabilia or personal experiences at one of his concerts, please share in the comments.