Jump to content

Billy Idol

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 209.247.22.170 (talk) at 17:34, 26 November 2007 (→New York). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Billy Idol

Billy Idol (born William Michael Albert Broad) is a British musician and singer.

With his spiked peroxide blonde hair, sneering visage and a voice capable of singing growling rock and roll and crooning ballads, Idol became a cultural icon during the 1980's. He first achieved fame as the lead singer of the first-wave UK punk band Generation X. When that band broke up, Idol moved to New York where he met guitarist Steve Stevens. The two of them set out to make punk music sexier, recording a series of hit singles. A series of stylish music videos made him one of the first stars of MTV. His success has waned since the 1990s, but Idol continues to make music.

Biography

Early life and career

William was the first child born to Bill and Joan Broad, shortly after the family moved to Long Island, New York. Two years later, Billy's sister Jane was born. The Broads returned to England after four years of living in the United States. They moved to Mickleham, before moving to Goring, Sussex.

The Broads were a religious family, and William joined the St. Mary's cub scouts, becoming a full scout. It has been said that William was kicked out of the scouts for making out with a young girl behind a hotdog stand.

Broad progressed well with his studies and his family moved to Bromley in Kent. His father was working as a salesman, and William worked for him as he was growing up.

In 1971, Broad transferred to Ravensbourne Grammar school. He failed to achieve the necessary requirements for a place at University. His parents were upset over his grades and eventually enrolled him in a school that was more relaxed. Broad was allowed to re-take his placement exams at the Orpington College of Further Education. He could grow his hair out, and wouldn't have to wear a school uniform. He soon secured himself a place at Sussex University and took classes in English and Philosophy in September of 1975.

Punk rock erupted in England in the mid-1970s, and Broad immersed himself in the scene. He became part of a Sex Pistols fan club called the Bromley Contingent. The club had a lot of admiration for the shocking and boundary breaking band, and wherever the Pistols went, so too did the Contingents.

In 1975, Broad decided to start his own band called The Rockettes. He met another person that shared his musical dreams when he met Tony James. James was interested in starting a band too. Much to the dismay of his parents, Broad decided to drop out of school to focus on music.

In the summer of 1976, singer Gene October put an ad in the Melody Maker searching for "guys who liked the bands, Television and the Ramones." Broad joined Gene October, John Towe (drums) and Tony James (bass) forming the band Chelsea. Broad changed his name to "Billy Idol" and became the band's guitar player.

Broad chose the stage name "Billy Idol" after remembering a comment a teacher had written on a report card. The teacher wrote "William is idle."[1] It was a comment which would stay in Broad's mind for a long time. Broad decided to change the spelling to "Idol" due to the fame of actor and comedian Eric Idle of Monty Python. Broad admired performers like David Bowie (born David Robert Jones), Iggy Pop (born James Newell Osterberg, Jr), Marc Bolan (born Mark Feld), Johnny Rotten (born John Lydon) and Sid Vicious (born John Simon Ritchie) and since his heroes had all changed their names, it seemed like the logical thing to do when he started playing music of his own.

In 1976, Idol and Tony James formed a band with John Towe and started playing shows. The band was named after the 1965 book Generation X, which contained a series of interviews with teens in the Mod subculture.[2][3]

Idol decided the band needed to find a guitarist so he could concentrate on being the group's lead singer. Idol spotted a young guitarist named Bob "Derwood" Andrews from Fulham at a local youth club one night and asked him to join the group. John Towe was eventually kicked out of the band and the group replaced him with Mark Laff, who was playing with minimalist group Subway Sect.

The band became a big deal throughout London and eventually record companies started showing up at shows. Generation X was an image-conscious band. They were more about the image than they were about the music. Tony James stated in an interview that he would never allow a fat person in the group.[4]

Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records in 1977, and were rising to success when they crashed under the weight of it all. Punk music no longer stood for the things it once had, and even though Generation X took a lot of punk elements and added them into their sound and image, they were often seen as being too "commercial." Generation X was the first punk band to appear on the BBC's "Top of the Pops" program. The band was on the rise, touring in countries like Japan.

The band was going through many changes in personnel, and Idol and James realized that their manager Stewart Joseph was mishandling their money. They tried to find new management and Bill Aucoin's name kept popping up.[citation needed] Aucoin was working out of New York, and was also managing the rock band Kiss at the time.

Idol, James and new member Terry Chimes decided to carry on as a trio even though they needed a guitar player. Keith Forsey was brought in to help record and produce their third and final album. Steve Jones of Sex Pistols fame was brought in to play guitar on a few tracks. John McGeoch, guitarist from Magazine and Siouxie & The Banshees was also brought in to help finish the album.

In 1981, the band shortened their name to simply "Gen X" and released the single "Dancing With Myself" in the UK. It failed to become the big hit the band was waiting for. The band found new guitarist Steve Andrews and asked him to join the band. The new album was called Kiss Me Deadly. In 1980, the band embarked on a short but successful tour.

At this time, Idol was dating a dancer by the name of "Perri Lister" who became a major influence on his music. Perri was one of the original, "Blitz Kids" along with Steve Strange. She had also been a dancer with "Hot Gossip" on the Kenny Everett show during the late '70s in England. She had starred in several music videos with Duran Duran and Def Leppard, and even started her own girl group, called "Boomerang." Even though Idol was never totally loyal to Perri[citation needed], she would remain his girlfriend for close to nine years.

New York

Rebel Yell

Steve Stevens and Billy Idol

Idol's second LP, Rebel Yell (1984) was a blockbuster success, and established his superstar status in the United States with hits like "Eyes Without a Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", and the title cut; Idol also became very popular in Europe thanks to this album and its singles, particularly in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and later in his native UK.

Idol got the idea for "Rebel Yell" while he was at a party with the Rolling Stones. He saw one of the guys drinking some Kentucky straight burboun whisky called "Rebel Yell" and thought it would be a great title for an album.

The band recorded the album at the Record Plant in New York City. Idol, along with Stevens, bassist Steve Webster and producer Keith Forsey started laying down tracks but realized they needed to bring in a drummer. Thommy Price of the group "Scandal" was playing in an adjacent studio. Forsey had Price drum on the "Rebel Yell" album.

  • Perri Lister sings backup on "Eyes Without a Face."
  • Steve Stevens also credits himself for coming up with the title and lyrics to "Blue Highway."
  • Perri can be also be seen in the video for "Rebel Yell." The song "Rebel Yell" has been used in several movies and TV shows. The song appears in the first episode of Knight Rider called "Dead of Knight" (1984). The song was also used in Sixteen Candles, The Wraith (1986), and Big (1988).
  • It was also during this period that Idol met Robin David Ludwig (The Hammer), the designer and creator of the famous Billy Idol jewelery collection. Most of the crucifixes Idol wears were designed by "Robin the Hammer." The two of them are still close friends to this day.
  • David Lee Roth has a Billy Idol lookalike in his video for "Just a Gigolo." In the video Roth parodies the "Dancing With Myself" video and pushes Idol into the reactors.
  • Idol appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine issue number 440 in January 1985.

Whiplash Smile

Idol released Whiplash Smile in 1986, which put him back on the charts. The album included the hits "Don't Need A Gun" the country-flavored "Sweet Sixteen" and the William Bell and Booker T. Jones's Stax-era cover of "To Be a Lover."

A remix album was released in 1987 called Vital Idol. The album had already been available in the UK two years prior to the US release. The album featured a live cover of Tommy James' "Mony Mony". The single did well topping the US charts in 1987.

Idol has said in many interviews that "Mony Mony" was the song he lost his virginity to. During Idol's live shows the crowd will usually chant "Hey mother fucker, get laid get fucked" between each verse. Idol can be seen mouthing these words in the live video for "Mony Mony".

Steve Stevens parted ways with Idol after Whiplash Smile. He claims that Idol's music was getting too synthesized and sequenced.[citation needed] Stevens also thought that Idol was getting tense about all of the attention he was getting as a guitar player. Stevens was offered a record deal through Warner Brothers that he couldn't refuse, so he decided it was time to split up with Idol.

Idol ran into trouble when he was busted by undercover police in New York City for carrying crack cocaine. A model by the name of Grace Hattersley had been with him, and this created a bit of turmoil in Idol's life. Hattersley held a press conference saying that she was involved with Billy Idol. Lister took the news quite badly, and decided to hold a press conference of her own, telling the world that she was, and had always been Idol's girlfriend.

Lister and Idol wanted to get "clean" and start a new life. Idol had been addicted to heroin and cocaine, and the two decided it would be best to move from New York to LA. Idol got involved in the Hollywood nightlife, and Lister realized that Idol would never remain loyal.

Idol was involved in a relationship with Linda Mathis (born and raised in Pasadena, CA). Though there was a thirteen-year age difference, and they began seeing each other regularly. At the age of 19, Mathis became pregnant and chose to move in with her mother to have her child. It was a girl named Bonnie Blue Broad, born August 21 1989.

Charmed Life

When Idol and Lister moved to LA to start life over, Lister gave birth to their son, "Willem Wolfe Broad." Idol was still seeing other women, and even obtained a second house for his affairs. Lister eventually left Idol in favor of a normal life.

In 1989, following his breakup with Lister, Idol found his way to Thailand. Idol claimed that he could get any drug he wanted over there, and had many women at his disposal. Newspapers said that Idol left his suites at three deluxe hotels in Thailand in shambles during his visit, with damage estimated at more than $20,000. Idol first checked in at the Oriental Hotel in central Bangkok, where carpets and a television set were among the ruined items. He paid $3,200 in damages before moving on to another hotel. Idol was eventually ejected from Bangkok with the help of the army after refusing to vacate a hotel penthouse where a three-week drug-and-sex spree had racked up a bill of about $250,000. It was reported that an important dignitary wanted the room and Idol refused to give it up.

Idol had been working on a new album for close to two years. In February of 1990, Idol was driving back to the studio to hear the final album, and was involved is a serious motorcycle accident. He had run a stop sign and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The accident almost cost Idol his leg. The doctor that first saw Idol was upset that someone had brought him down to look at a "bum". It was explained to the doctor that the patient was Billy Idol. Idol's leg was cracked in three places and he was suffering from a few broken ribs. His doctors managed to pull him through and save his leg through a lengthy operation and skin grafting.

The new album, Charmed Life was due for release and a video for the single "Cradle of Love" had to be shot. The song had been featured in the Andrew Dice Clay film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane and, "Cradle of Love" was set to be the title song for the movie.

Since Billy was unable to walk, director David Fincher decided to film Idol from the waist up. The video would feature footage of Idol singing in large frames throughout an apartment while the very young and beautiful model Betsy Lynn George was trying to seduce a modest and mild mannered businessman. The video was a huge hit and was placed in heavy rotation on MTV. Idol and George recreated the opening of the video for the 1991 American Music Awards.

Idol had always been a huge Doors fan, and he was asked to take part in the new movie, The Doors, directed by Oliver Stone. Idol was barely able to walk, therefore his part in the movie was trimmed down to a mere cameo, playing the role of "Cat", a friend of Jim Morrison's.

Against his doctors' orders, Idol decided to tour behind the Charmed Life album. Billy could be seen walking with a cane onstage. He got his personal jewellery maker, "Robin the Hammer" to customize a silver gauntlet for him. The gauntlet has "La Vie Enchantee" etched in the wrist. Robin also designed a large cross/knife necklace that can be seen in the "Cradle of Love" video.

Idol's stage show was quite elaborate, there was a new band featuring, Mark Younger-Smith as the new guitarist. A massive fist was designed to hang over the crowd. The words "Rude Dude" were written across the fingers. During the show the fist would rotate and flip off the audience. The hand can be seen in the video for "Prodigal Blues."

  • Idol's concert at Wembley stadium in December of 1990 was professionally filmed, but remains unreleased. Several bootleg copies exist from Japanese sources.
  • In 1991 Idol protested against motorcycle helmet laws in L.A.
  • Idol was charged with assault after allegedly punching a woman in the face. In 1992, he pleaded guilty and paid a fine.
  • Former Police frontman Sting parodied Billy during a skit on Saturday Night Live which aired in January of 1991. The skit featured Sting playing "Billy Idol" in the "Sinatra Group." Phil Hartman was playing Sinatra.

Cyberpunk

In 1993, Idol released Cyberpunk, which fell on deaf ears. Music had changed in 1993, and a lot of the bands that were popular in the eighties were now being pushed to the wayside in favor of the new "Seattle" movement. Cyberpunk is considered to be ahead of its time by many people, and very experimental for that period. The album reportedly took 10 months to record.

Idol claims that punk rock journalists Legs McNeil interviewed him while he was in the hospital being treated for his leg. He called Idol a "Cyberpunk" because of the muscle stimulator on his leg. He said it looked like man merging with machine. The critics slammed the album for many reasons, one being the over-commercialization of the word "Cyberpunk."

The album was recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer, which was a fairly new concept for the time. Idol recorded the album with Mark Younger-Smith and producer Robin Hancock. Special editions of the album were issued with a floppy disc, which contained a screen saver.

Idol shot a concept video for "Shock to the System." The video would feature Idol being attacked by several police for trying to videotape them beating up someone on the street. The idea of this goes back to the LA riots. Idol would then turn into a cyborg that scared away the police. A video EP was released to retail stores.

Idol had a lot of grand ideas for Cyberpunk and the short tour that followed. He changed his look during this period, growing a set of dreadlocks, and had a lot of ideas about using "Blendo" video footage during his show. Colorful footage and images would be edited live on a computer to fit the music.

In 1994 Idol collapsed outside an LA nightclub due to an overdose on a drug called GHB. GHB happened to be a legal drug at the time which was mainly used by weight-lifters. The drug would slow your system down, putting your body into a relaxed comatose like state. Drugs like this are often used to alter the effects of other drugs such as cocaine which speed the system up. Idol admitted to being hooked on a lot of heavier drugs at that time.

After the incident, Idol realized that his children would never forgive him for dying of a drug overdose, and he began to focus more on fatherhood. Idol has never admitted that he is totally off drugs, just that he has his habit under control. He claims to have first smoked marijuana at the age of 12, and also says he took acid at the age of thirteen.

  • The album pays tribute to Lou Reed with Idol's cover of "Heroin."
  • The Tour was called "The No Religion Tour."

The Late 90's/Early 2000's

Idol didn't want to release an album during this period because he was having a lot of problems with his record label. It was decided that he would wind up owing the record company money if he produced anything. EMI hired producer, Glenn Ballard to work with him on a new project, but Idol battled the label over creative differences and the album was put on hold.

In 1994 Idol and Steve Stevens contributed a song called "Speed" to the soundtrack of the hit movie Speed starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Even though Idol and Stevens worked together on this track, a reunion was not in the works.

In 1996 Idol appeared in a live version of the Who's Quadrophenia, playing the part of "The Ace Face/Cousin Kevin." Idol also started getting involved in cross country motorcycle rides, some of which involved riding for charity.

Idol returned to the popular eye in 1998, when he played himself in The Wedding Singer, an Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore 80s romantic comedy, where "White Wedding" was used as the title track.

In 2001 Idol reunited with guitarist Steve Stevens to write and record a new album. Idol and Stevens started touring, which generated a lot of attention. It wasn't long until VH1 got involved.

Another Greatest Hits CD was issued in 2001. Keith Forsey's "Don't You (Forget About Me)" appears on the compilation. Although Forsey originally wrote it with Idol in mind, Idol turned it down and eventually the song was given to Simple Minds who would go on to make it a worldwide hit in 1985.

The Greatest Hits album also includes a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell" which is taken from a performance at L.A. station KROQ's 1993 Acoustic Christmas concert. EMI expected the Greatest Hits album to sell around 100,000 copies, but it has sold more than 940,000 so far, according to SoundScan.[citation needed]

Vh1 aired Billy Idol - Behind the Music on April 15th, 2001. The Behind the Music series was very popular at the time, and each band or artist that was featured on that program usually gained a resurgence of interest after the show had aired. Billy Idol and Steve Stevens were no exception.

On April 19th, 2001, Idol and Stevens took part in a VH1 Storytellers show. The reunited duo set out to play a series of acoustic/storytellers shows prior to recording the Vh1 special. The acoustic tour was a big success, and Idol eventually started adding new material into the show. The TV show was broadcast sometime later. A DVD and CD were issued.

File:SherinianIdolBandLo-Crop-1.jpg
Billy Idol on the set of In The Summertime video (2006)
  • Fans noticed that the character "Spike (Buffyverse)" on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" television series played by actor "James Marsters resembles Billy Idol. In the television show, Spike is referred to as "William the Bloody." The show makes reference to the comparisons claiming that Idol stole his look from Spike.
  • In 2000, Idol was invited to be one of the guest vocalists on Tony Iommi's album. He contributed vocals on the song "Into The Night", which he also co-wrote.
  • Idol lent his voice to the mysterious alien character "Odin" in the animated fantasy film Heavy Metal 2000.
  • On August 1st, 2001 Idol and Stevens were asked to take part in MTV's twentieth birthday bash. They played "Rebel Yell."
  • Idol starred in an IKEA commercial rapping to a song called "Start it Up." IKEA's sales pitch during the commercial was "Try Something Different."
  • Todd McFarlane had a Billy Idol action figure listed on his website for release, but the figure never materialized. Todd is famous for creating the comic book character "Spawn." He also has a successful toy company.

The Devil's Playground

Devil's Playground, was released on 22 March, 2005. It was Idol's first new album in nearly twelve years. It was after a concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom that Sanctuary Records approached Idol about making new music in his older style. Idol claims that seeing people like Slash making hit records again gave him hope that there was life after death.

The album was recorded with the entire band playing in one room, rather that each person recording their part separately. Idol's drummer, Brian Tichy, collaborated with Idol and Stevens and co-wrote some of the tracks on the album. The first single and video to be released was "Scream."

  • Idol had been playing a batch of new songs in concert that never made the final release of the album. These songs include "Monster", "Stranger in My Skin", "Walk the Line", "In the Killbox", "Beautiful Life" and "Big World" (written for his daughter).
  • Idol appeared on an episode of Viva La Bam, Bam Margera's MTV show. In the episode, Bam's mom is taken to Atlantic City to see Idol perform. Idol and Bam are seen riding around in Bam's Lamborghini. On a stop, Margera asks Billy Idol to convert his Lamborghini to a targa using an angle grinder, which Idol consequently does. Bam Margera appears in the video for "Plastic Jesus."
  • After Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans a television special was aired to raise money for the vicitms. Randy Newman had written a song called "Louisiana." Idol covered the song sometime later during a show in Baltimore, Maryland. The song was released as a free download on his website.
  • On August 8, 2005 Idol played "White Wedding" with Lisa Marie Presley at the 2005 Fashion Rocks show. CBS aired the special on Friday, September 9th 2005, but critics slammed Presley's performance, saying she couldn't sing. Presley wore a white wedding dress, Idol was in a silver suit.
  • Idol was recorded by a fan singing the Gnarls Barkley song "Crazy" acapella in concert. Idol added the song as a free download on his official website, and later added it to his official MySpace page.
  • In November 2006, Idol released a Christmas album called Billy Idol: Happy Holidays. The album was intended to be sold through Idol's website, but a distribution deal was set up through Best Buy. A limited number of albums were autographed and sold through Billy's website.
  • On July 28th, 2006 Idol and Stevens played Chicago planning to record and release a live concert DVD. The show was shot in HD and was shown on the HD network. The DVD was scheduled to be released, but to this day remains shelved.

Discography

Albums

  1. Don't Stop (EP) - 1981 #71 US
  2. Billy Idol - 1982 #45 US
  3. Rebel Yell - 1983 #36 UK / #6 US / #2 Germany / #40 Netherlands / #16 Switzerland
  4. Vital Idol - 1985 #7 UK / #10 US (1987 release) / #8 Germany / #24 Switzerland
  5. Whiplash Smile - 1986 #8 UK / #6 US / #9 Germany / #19 Netherlands / #4 Switzerland
  6. Idol Songs: 11 of the Best - 1988 #2 UK / #14 Germany / #6 Switzerland
  7. Charmed Life - 1990 #15 UK / #11 US / #5 Germany / #51 Netherlands / #4 Switzerland
  8. Cyberpunk - 1993 #20 UK / #48 US / #13 Germany / #50 Netherlands / #15 Switzerland
  9. Greatest Hits - 2001 #74 US / #12 Germany / #30 Switzerland
  10. VH1's Storytellers: Billy Idol - 2002 #14 Germany / #76 Switzerland
  11. Essential Billy Idol - 2003
  12. Devil's Playground - 2005 #78 UK / #46 US / #15 Germany / #32 Switzerland
  13. Happy Holidays - 2006

VHS

  • Vital Idol - The Videos - Released: April 27, 1988 (Not on DVD)
  • Billy Idol: The Charmed Life and Other Vital Videos - Released: July 1, 1991 (Not on DVD)

This was a video EP, containing the videos for "Prodigal Blues", "Cradle of Love", "LA Woman", "Hot in the City", and "Mony Mony".

  • Billy Idol's Cyberpunk - Shock to the System - Released: June 29, 1993 (Not on DVD) - This was also a video EP

DVD

  • Billy Idol - Vh1 Storytellers - Released: March 5, 2002

Singles

Starting with the 1983 re-release of "White Wedding", Chrysalis issued Billy's singles with an IDOL vanity catalogue numbering system, much like Nine Inch Nails's halo numbering system. This lasted for roughly seven years and sixteen singles (including various re-issues) until the release of "Prodigal Blues" in 1990.

Year Song UK singles U.S. Hot 100 U.S. Mainstream Rock U.S. Modern Rock Germany Top 75 Italy Top 50 Switzerland Top 50 Album
1981 "Dancing With Myself" - - - - - - - Don't Stop
"Mony Mony" (Tommy James and the Shondells cover) - - - - - - -
1982 "Hot in the City" 58(1) 23(2) 11 - - - 19(3) Billy Idol
1983 "White Wedding" 6(4) 36 9 - - - -
1984 "Rebel Yell" 62(5) 46 4 - - - - Rebel Yell
"Eyes Without a Face" 18 4 3 - 10 14 21
"Flesh for Fantasy" 54 29 8 - 11 30 20
1985 "Catch My Fall" 63(6) 50 24 - 11 - -
1986 "To Be a Lover" 22 6 2 - 28 16 7 Whiplash Smile
1987 "Don't Need a Gun" 26 37 10 - 36 - 29
"Sweet Sixteen" 17 20 26 - 2 30 12
"Mony Mony (Live)" 7 1 27 - 38 - 13 Vital Idol
1990 "Cradle of Love" 34 2 1 7 38 8 11 Charmed Life
"L.A. Woman" 70 52 18 12 - 28 -
"Prodigal Blues" 47 - 35 - - 31 -
1993 "Shock to the System" 30 - 7 23 - 17 37 Cyberpunk
"Mother Dawn (Hold Me)" - - - - - - -
1994 "Speed" 47 - - - - - - Speed Soundtrack
2005 "Scream" - - 26 - 54 - - Devil's Playground
2005 "Cherie" - - - - - - -
  • 1 Re-released in the UK in 1988, charted at #13 in the Top 75.
  • ² Re-released in the U.S. in 1988, charted at #48 in the Hot 100.
  • ³ Swiss release in 1988.
  • 4 UK release in 1985.
  • 5 Re-released in the UK in 1985, charted at #6 in the Top 75.
  • 6 UK release in 1988.

See also

References

  1. ^ ""Showbiz Tonight Transcript (aired 3/22/05): Billy Idol Releases First New Album in Decade"". Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  2. ^ Asthana, Anushka & Thorpe, Vanessa. "Whatever happened to the original Generation X?". The Observer. January 23, 2005.
  3. ^ ""Educating the Generation called X"". Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  4. ^ ""Generation X"". Retrieved 2007-10-14.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Billy Idol.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Billy_Idol&oldid=173923944"