Billy Idol

Early life

William Michael Albert Broad was born in Stanmore on 30 November 1955, to Irish housewife Joan (née O'Sullivan) and English salesman William Alfred Broad. His mother was from Cork, while his father was from Birmingham. His parents attended Church of England services regularly. In 1958, at the age of two, he moved with his parents to the U.S. and settled in Patchogue, New York; they also lived in Rockville Centre, New York. His younger sister, Jane, was born during this time. The family returned to England four years later and settled in Dorking. In 1971, when Idol was 15, the family moved to Bromley, where he attended Ravensbourne School for Boys. His family later moved to Goring-by-Sea, where he attended Worthing High School for Boys. In October 1975, he began attending the University of Sussex to pursue a Philosophy with Literature degree, but left after year one in 1976. He later joined the Bromley Contingent, a loosely organised gang of Sex Pistols fans who travelled to see the band wherever they played.

Career

1976–1981: Generation X

Main article: Generation X (band)

The stage name "Billy Idol" was coined after a chemistry teacher, Bill Price, described Idol as "idle" on his school report card. Idol has stated that he had hated chemistry and underachieved in it. In an interview on 21 November 1983, he said of the name, "It was a bit of a goof, but part of the old English school of rock. It was a 'double thing', not just a poke at the superstar-like people... It was fun, you know?" In another interview for BBC Breakfast in October 2014, he said that he wanted to use the name "Billy Idle", but thought the name would be unavailable due to its similarity to the name of Monty Python star Eric Idle and chose Billy Idol instead.

In late 1976, Idol joined the newly formed West London 1960s retro-rock band Chelsea as a guitarist. The act's singer/frontman Gene October styled Idol's image, advising him to use contact lenses instead of eyeglasses for his short sight, and dye his hair blonde with a crew cut for a retro-1950s rocker look. After a few weeks performing with Chelsea, Idol and Tony James, the band's bass guitarist, quit and co-founded Generation X, with Idol switching from guitarist to the role of singer/frontman. Generation X was one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC Television music programme Top of the Pops. Although a punk rock band, they were inspired by mid-1960s British pop, in sharp contrast to their more militant peers, with Idol stating, "We were saying the opposite to the Clash and the Pistols. They were singing 'No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones', but we were honest about what we liked. The truth was we were all building our music on the Beatles and the Stones."

In 1977, Idol sang "Your Generation" on the TV series Marc. Generation X signed a recording contract with Chrysalis Records, released three studio albums, performed in the 1980 film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage, and then disbanded.

1981–1985: Solo career and breakthrough

Idol moved to New York City in 1981 and became a solo artist, working with former Kiss manager Bill Aucoin. Idol's punk-like image worked well with the glam rock style of his new partner on guitar, Steve Stevens. Together they worked with bassist Phil Feit and drummer Gregg Gerson. Idol's solo career began with the Chrysalis Records EP titled Don't Stop in 1981, which included the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself", originally recorded for their last album Kiss Me Deadly, and a cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' song "Mony Mony". Idol's debut solo album Billy Idol was released in July 1982. The album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 in New Zealand.

Part of the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the US in 1982, Idol became an MTV staple with "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself". The music video for "White Wedding" was filmed by the British director David Mallet and played frequently on MTV. The motorcycle smashing through the church window stunt was carried out by John Wilson, a London motorcycle courier. In 1983, Idol's label released "Dancing with Myself" in the US in conjunction with a music video directed by Tobe Hooper, which played on MTV for six months.

Rebel Yell (1983), Idol's second LP, was a major success peaking at number 2 in both Germany and New Zealand, while also establishing Idol in the United States with hits such as "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without a Face", and "Flesh for Fantasy". "Eyes Without a Face" peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, and "Rebel Yell" reached number six in the UK Singles Chart. “Rebel Yell” also garnered Idol his first Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards. The record has since been certified platinum by the RIAA, RMNZ, Music Canada and Pro-Música Brasil.

1986–1992: ''Whiplash Smile'' and ''Charmed Life''

Idol released Whiplash Smile in 1986, which sold well, charting in the top ten in 9 countries with the highest spot being number 3 in Finland. The album included the hits "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen". Idol filmed a video for the song "Sweet Sixteen" in Florida's Coral Castle. “To Be a Lover” peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 3 in both Australia and Finland and number 2 in New Zealand. The song also garnered him another nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards. The album has since been certified platinum in the US, Canada and New Zealand.

A remix album was released in 1987, titled Vital Idol. The album featured a live rendition of his cover of Tommy James' "Mony Mony". In 1987, the single topped the United States chart and reached number 7 in the UK.

On 6 February 1990 in Hollywood, Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly cost him a leg. He was hit by a car when he ran a stop sign while riding home from the studio one night, requiring a steel rod to be placed in his leg. While he was hospitalised, he vowed to stop wearing clothing featuring the Confederate flag, after a black employee tending to him explained his feelings on it.

Prior to the accident, film director Oliver Stone had chosen Idol for the role of Jim Morrison's drinking pal Cat in his film The Doors (1991), but it prevented him from participating in a major way and Idol's role was reduced to a small part. He was James Cameron's first choice for the role of the villainous T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991); the role was recast as a result of the accident.

Charmed Life was released in 1990, and continued the commercial success seen in his previous albums, charting in the top ten in 9 countries along with topping the charts in Finland. A video for the single "Cradle of Love" had to be shot. The song was featured in the Andrew Dice Clay film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. Because Idol was unable to walk due to injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident, he was shot from the waist up. The video featured video footage of him singing in large frames throughout an apartment while Betsy Lynn George was trying to seduce a businessman. The video was placed in rotation on MTV and won an award for Best Video from a Film at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. "Cradle of Love" also earned Idol a third Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The album has since been certified platinum in the US and Canada. Idol then embarked on a tour in support of the album with Faith No More.

1993–2004: ''Cyberpunk'', decline, and resurgence

In 1993, Idol released Cyberpunk. Regarded as experimental, it was recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer. Idol used Studiovision and Pro Tools to record the album. The album took ten months to make. The album did not perform well in the United States and the lead single "Shock to the System" did not chart in the Billboard Hot 100. In comparison, the lead single from Idol's previous album, "Cradle of Love", peaked at No. 2. In Europe, the album fared slightly better, achieving moderate chart success and peaking within the top 20 in 7 countries, along with getting into the top 10 in Austria and Finland. Idol toured in Europe and played a Generation X reunion show in 1993.

He recorded and released the single "Speed" in 1994; the song was featured as the first track in the film soundtrack album. Idol appeared in a 1996 live version of the Who's Quadrophenia. Idol played Lee Turner in the 1996 film Mad Dog Time, he also made a cameo appearance as himself in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler, in which Idol played a pivotal role in the plot. The film featured "White Wedding" on its soundtrack. In 2000, he was invited to be a guest vocalist on Tony Iommi's debut solo album. His contribution was on the song "Into the Night", which he co-wrote. That year, he voice acted the role of Odin, a mysterious alien character, in the adult animated science fiction film Heavy Metal 2000, also providing a song for the soundtrack.

VH1 aired Billy Idol – Behind the Music on 16 April 2001. Idol and Stevens took part in a VH1 Storytellers show three days later. The reunited duo set out to play a series of acoustic/storytellers shows before recording the VH1 special. Another Greatest Hits CD was issued in 2001, with Keith Forsey and Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)" appearing on the compilation. The LP includes a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell", taken from a performance at Los Angeles station KROQ's 1993 Acoustic Christmas concert. The Greatest Hits album sold 1 million copies in the United States alone.

In the 2002 NRL Grand Final in Sydney, Idol entered the playing field for the half-time entertainment on a hovercraft to the intro of "White Wedding", of which he managed to sing only two words before a power failure ended the performance.

2005–2009: ''Devil's Playground''

Devil's Playground, which came out in March 2005, was Idol's first new studio album in nearly 12 years. The album reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 and charted the highest in Germany at number 15. The album included a cover of "Plastic Jesus". Idol played a handful of dates on the 2005 Warped Tour and appeared at the Download Festival at Donington Park, the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans, and Rock am Ring. Idol was awarded the comeback of the year at the inaugural Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.

In 2006 Idol released a Christmas album titled Happy Holidays it included renditions of many traditional Christmas songs along with 2 original songs.

In 2008, "Rebel Yell" appeared as a playable track on the video game Guitar Hero World Tour and "White Wedding" on Rock Band 2. The Rock Band 2 platform later gained "Mony Mony" and "Rebel Yell" as downloadable tracks. On 24 June 2008, Idol released the greatest hits album The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself. He embarked on a worldwide tour, co-headlining with Def Leppard.

In June 2006, Idol performed at the Congress Theater, Chicago, for the United States television series Soundstage. This performance was recorded and then released on DVD/Blu-ray as In Super Overdrive Live, on 17 November 2009.

2010–2021: ''Kings & Queens of the Underground''

On 16 February 2010, Idol was announced as one of the acts to play at the Download Festival in Donington Park, England. He stated, "With all of these great heavyweight and cool bands playing Download this year, I'm going to have to come armed with my punk rock attitude, Steve Stevens, and all of my classic songs plus a couple of way out covers. Should be fun!" In March 2010, Idol added Camp Freddy guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson to his touring line-up.

In 2013, Idol appeared on the third episode of the BBC Four series How the Brits Rocked America. Idol also lent his voice as Spikey Hair Bot to Disney XD's Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja episode "McSatchle"

In October 2014, Idol released his eighth studio album Kings & Queens of the Underground. It debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200, and charted in multiple countries in Europe including number 8 in Germany. While recording the album between 2010 and 2014, he worked with producer Trevor Horn, Horn's former Buggles and Yes bandmate Geoff Downes and Greg Kurstin. Idol's autobiography, Dancing with Myself, was published on 7 October 2014 and became a New York Times bestseller.

Idol embarked on a worldwide tour in support of his new album. The tour started on 5 November 2014 and ended 4 April 2015. Over the 40-date tour, Idol with his band performed in Europe, North America and Australia. He continued touring North America in 2016 and 2017.

On 30 October 2018, former Generation X members Idol and Tony James joined with Steve Jones and Paul Cook, former members of another first wave English punk rock band, the Sex Pistols, to perform a free gig at the Roxy in Hollywood, Los Angeles, under the name Generation Sex, playing a combined set of the two former bands' material.

In 2019 Idol went on a co headlining tour alongside Bryan Adams.

In late February 2020, Idol starred in a public service campaign with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police titled "Billy Never Idles", intended to fight the unnecessary idling of automobile engines in New York City, to reduce air pollution. Idol teamed with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to open the campaign, which features Idol saying, "If you're not driving, shut your damn engine off!" and other strong advice. He was a guest vocalist on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus' album Plastic Hearts, released in November 2020. In 2016, Idol and Cyrus performed "Rebel Yell" at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas.

On 12 August 2021, Idol's music video "Bitter Taste", directed by Stephen Sebring, was uploaded to YouTube. Idol announced his new EP The Roadside, which was released on 17 September.[[File:Billy Idol performing, 2025.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Idol performing in Seattle, WA on September 20, 2025]]

2022–present: ''Dream Into It''

In March 2022, Idol was diagnosed with MRSA, which forced him to cancel a co-headlining tour with Journey. In September that year, he embarked on the postponed Roadside Tour with Killing Joke and Toyah as his UK opening acts in October. Another EP, The Cage, was released on 23 September 2022. A video for the title track, also directed by Sebring, premiered on YouTube 17 August. On 6 January 2023, Idol was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On 24 January, he announced a North American tour from late March through mid-May: the tour was to begin in Scottsdale on 30 March and conclude with a concert at the Cruel World Festival on 20 May in Pasadena. In April that year, Idol played the first concert in history at the Hoover Dam. Idol is a member of Generation Sex who are on tour and performed at Glastonbury in 2023.

In 2025, Idol was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. Idol said Steve Stevens is nominated with him, and they will both be inducted into the Hall should Idol be selected for induction. On 26 February, Idol announced his first studio album in nearly 11 years, Dream Into It, along with its first single, "Still Dancing". The album charted at number 5 in Austria, 3 in Switzerland and number 2 in Germany. The album featured guest appearances from Avril Lavigne, Alison Mosshart and Joan Jett, it received generally positive reception. In April 2025 Idol started his "It's a Nice Day to Tour again" North American tour alongside Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

In June 2025, a full-length documentary about Idol premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York. The film, titled "Billy Idol Should Be Dead," chronicles Idol's rise to fame from his early days with Chelsea and Generation X, his struggles with drug addiction, and his family life from childhood through the present.

In November 2025, ending his Latin-American tour, Idol celebrated his 70th birthday in Mexico City. Dany Villarreal (from The Warning) was invited to the stage for a joint performance of "Dancing With Myself", and later also a mariachi band joined to sing "Las Mañanitas" and "Happy Birthday" dedicated to Idol.

Artistry

Billy Idol established himself in the late-1970s London punk scene as the frontman of Generation X, a band criticized as too "poppy." AllMusic critic Greg Adams labeled their self-titled debut album as "bubblegum punk", while their second album, Valley of the Dolls has a glam punk sound, influenced by progressive rock, and Bruce Springsteen's mid-1970s work. After renaming to Gen X and going in a more new wave direction on their third album, Kiss Me Deadly, the band released the single "Dancing with Myself", an early example of Idol incorporating dance and pop into his music. The song was a commercial disappointment, and the band disbanded soon after.

The musical style of Idol's solo career is a blend of pop hooks, punk attitude, and dance beats, described as dance-punk, dance-rock, glam punk, glam rock, hard rock, new wave, pop-punk, pop rock, post-punk, Rolling Stone critic Johnathan Taylor labeled his debut EP and solo release, Don't Stop, as dance-rock, but on his self-titled debut album, he transitioned to "mainstream power rock" with vocals reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed and Dave Clark. His second album, Rebel Yell, is a mix of hard rock, new wave and pop, cementing Idol as a "punk-pop star", according to AllMusic critic Matt Collar. He retained this sound into the early 1990s, but experimented with other genres, such as synth-pop in "Eyes Without a Face" (1984) and jazz in "Endless Sleep" (1990).

Idol's biggest change in sound was on Cyberpunk, a techno-rock album based on the cyberdelic subculture of the late 1980s and early 1990s, with synthesised vocals, electronic and industrial elements, looped beats, as well as keyboard riffs. Devil's Playground, his first album in 12 years, has a more hard rock-oriented style, while keeping up with pop-punk bands, such as Green Day and Sum 41. Since then, he's returned to a sound more reminiscent of his 1980s work, combining new wave and hard rock on his two most recent albums, Kings & Queens of the Underground and Dream Into It. The latter is his second concept album, and has elements of soft rock and grunge.

Personal life

Idol lives in Los Angeles. He has never married, but was previously in a long-term relationship with English singer and dancer Perri Lister. They have a son, Willem (born 1988), who has been a member of the rock band FIM. They separated in 1989. Idol also has a daughter, Bonnie, from another relationship. As of 2024, he has three granddaughters. Idol released his memoir Dancing with Myself in 2014. Idol has a love for motorcycles, specifically Harley Davidsons; he even performed at the company's 100th anniversary concert celebration in 2003.

In 2023, Idol revealed he had another son, Brant Broad, after Bonnie took a 23andMe DNA test and learned she had a half-brother. Idol introduced Broad publicly as his son at his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony that year.

Idol has struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction, including addiction to heroin and cocaine. In his 2014 memoir, he said there was more than one time he woke up in a hospital after passing out in a nightclub. In 1994, he collapsed outside a Los Angeles nightclub due to an overdose of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). He stopped his drug use after this incident, as he decided his children would never forgive him for dying of a drug overdose. Idol then started working out and going to the gym regularly, and has credited it to helping him with his recovery. In a 2025 interview he stated "Working out became a big part of my life. And it helped me get over drug addiction". In 2014, he said he had not taken hard drugs since 2003 but added that he smoked cannabis regularly and was an occasional drinker. In addition to his British citizenship, Idol gained American citizenship in 2018.

Live band

Idol's live band consists of:

• Billy Idol – lead vocals (1981–present)
• Steve Stevens – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1981–1987, 1993–1995, 1999–present)
• Stephen McGrath – bass, backing vocals (2001–present)
• Billy Morrison – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals (2010–present)
• Erik Eldenius – drums (2012–present)
• Paul Trudeau – keyboards, backing vocals (2014–present)

Former members

• Phil Feit – bass (1981–1983)
• Steve Missal – drums (1981–1982)
• Gregg Gerson – drums (1982–1983)
• Judi Dozier – keyboards (1982–1985)
• Steve Webster – bass (1983–1985)
• Thommy Price – drums (1983–1987)
• Kenny Aaronson – bass (1986–1987)
• Susie Davis – keyboards, backing vocals (1986–1987)
• Mark Younger-Smith – guitars, keyboards (1988–1993)
• Phil Soussan – bass (1988–1990)
• Larry Seymour – bass (1990–1996)
• Tal Bergman – drums (1990–1993)
• Bonnie Hayes – keyboards, backing vocals (1990–1991)
• Jennifer Blakeman – keyboards, backing vocals (1993)
• Julie Greaux – keyboards, backing vocals (1993)
• Danny Sadownik – drums (1993)
• Mark Schulman – drums (1993–2001)
• Sasha Krivtsov – bass (2000)
• Brian Tichy – drums (2001–2009)
• Jeremy Colson – drums (2010–2012)
• Derek Sherinian – keyboards (2002–2014)

Timeline

ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:16 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:60 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1981 till:12/31/2025 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1981 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1981

Colors = id:lvocals value:red legend:Vocals id:bvocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards id:bass value:blue legend:Bass id:drums value:orange legend:Drums id:lines value:black legend:Studio_album id:other value:gray(0.5) legend:Other_Releases

LineData = at:10/24/1981 color:other layer:back at:07/16/1982 color:black layer:back at:11/10/1983 color:black layer:back at:10/20/1986 color:black layer:back at:05/29/1990 color:black layer:back at:06/29/1993 color:black layer:back at:03/22/2005 color:black layer:back at:12/04/2006 color:black layer:back at:10/17/2014 color:black layer:back at:09/17/2021 color:other layer:back at:09/23/2022 color:other layer:back at:04/25/2025 color:black layer:back

BarData = bar:Idol text:"Billy Idol" bar:Steve text:"Steve Stevens" bar:Mark text:"Mark Younger-Smith" bar:Billy text:"Billy Morrison" bar:Judi text:"Judi Dozier" bar:Susie text:"Susie Davis" bar:Bonnie text:"Bonnie Hayes" bar:Jennifer text:"Jennifer Blakeman" bar:Julie text:"Julie Greaux" bar:Derek text:"Derek Sherinian" bar:Paul text:"Paul Trudeau" bar:Feit text:"Phil Feit" bar:Steve2 text:"Steve Webster" bar:Kenny text:"Kenny Aaronson" bar:Phil text:"Phil Soussan " bar:Larry text:"Larry Seymour" bar:Sasha text:"Sasha Krivtsov" bar:Stephen text:"Stephen McGrath" bar:Missal text:"Steve Missal" bar:Gregg text:"Gregg Gerson" bar:Thommy text:"Thommy Price" bar:Tal text:"Tal Bergman" bar:Mark2 text:"Mark Schulman" bar:Brian text:"Brian Tichy" bar:Jeremy text:"Jeremy Colson" bar:Erik text:"Erik Eldenius"

PlotData= width:11 bar:Idol from:start till:end color:lvocals bar:Steve from:start till:09/15/1987 color:guitar bar:Steve from:start till:09/15/1987 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Steve from:12/16/1993 till:07/15/1995 color:guitar bar:Steve from:12/16/1993 till:07/15/1995 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Steve from:06/15/1999 till:end color:guitar bar:Steve from:06/15/1999 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Steve from:start till:03/14/1982 color:keys width:7 bar:Steve from:12/16/1993 till:07/15/1995 color:keys width:7 bar:Steve from:06/15/1999 till:01/01/2002 color:keys width:7 bar:Mark from:09/16/1988 till:09/30/1993 color:guitar bar:Mark from:06/23/1991 till:04/01/1993 color:keys width:3 bar:Billy from:01/01/2010 till:end color:guitar bar:Billy from:01/01/2010 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Judi from:03/15/1982 till:12/31/1985 color:keys bar:Susie from:01/01/1986 till:09/15/1987 color:keys bar:Susie from:01/01/1986 till:09/15/1987 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Bonnie from:06/16/1990 till:06/23/1991 color:keys bar:Bonnie from:06/16/1990 till:06/23/1991 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Jennifer from:04/01/1993 till:09/30/1993 color:keys bar:Jennifer from:04/01/1993 till:09/30/1993 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Julie from:04/01/1993 till:09/30/1993 color:keys bar:Julie from:04/01/1993 till:09/30/1993 color:bvocals width:3 bar:Derek from:01/01/2002 till:06/15/2014 color:keys bar:Paul from:06/16/2014 till:end color:keys bar:Paul from:06/16/2014 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Feit from:start till:06/15/1983 color:bass bar:Steve2 from:06/16/1983 till:12/31/1985 color:bass bar:Kenny from:01/01/1986 till:09/15/1987 color:bass bar:Phil from:09/16/1988 till:06/15/1990 color:bass bar:Larry from:06/16/1990 till:06/15/1996 color:bass bar:Sasha from:01/01/1999 till:12/31/2000 color:bass bar:Stephen from:01/01/2001 till:end color:bass bar:Stephen from:01/01/2001 till:end color:bvocals width:3 bar:Missal from:start till:07/20/1982 color:drums bar:Gregg from:07/20/1982 till:06/15/1983 color:drums bar:Thommy from:06/16/1983 till:09/15/1987 color:drums bar:Tal from:06/16/1990 till:09/30/1993 color:drums bar:Mark2 from:12/16/1993 till:06/15/2001 color:drums bar:Brian from:06/16/2001 till:12/31/2009 color:drums bar:Jeremy from:01/01/2010 till:06/15/2012 color:drums bar:Erik from:06/16/2012 till:end color:drums

Discography

Main article: Billy Idol discography

• Don't Stop (1981)
• Billy Idol (1982)
• Rebel Yell (1983)
• Whiplash Smile (1986)
• Charmed Life (1990)
• Cyberpunk (1993)
• Devil's Playground (2005)
• Happy Holidays (2006)
• Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014)
• The Roadside (2021)
• The Cage (2022)
• Dream Into It (2025)

Awards and nominations

ASCAP Pop Music Awards !Ref. |- | 1991 | "Cradle of Love" | Most Performed Song | |

Brit Awards !Ref. |- ! scope="row" | | "Cradle of Love" || Best British Video || |

Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards !Ref. |- | 2005 | Himself | Comeback of the Year | |

Grammy Awards !Ref. |- ! scope="row" | |"Rebel Yell" | | |- ! scope="row" | |"To Be a Lover" | | |- ! scope="row" | |"Cradle of Love" | |

Hollywood Walk of Fame !Ref. |- | 2023 | Himself | Star | |

MTV Video Music Awards |- ! scope="row" | |"Dancing with Myself" || Best Direction || |- ! scope="row" | |"Dancing with Myself" || Best Art Direction || |- ! scope="row" | |"Dancing with Myself" || Best Special Effects || |- ! scope="row" | |"Eyes Without a Face" || Best Cinematography || |- ! scope="row" | |"Eyes Without a Face" || Best Editing || |- ! scope="row" | | "Cradle of Love" || Best Video from a Film || |- ! scope="row" | |"Cradle of Love" || Best Male Video || |- ! scope="row" | |"Cradle of Love" || Best Special Effects || |- ! scope="row" | |"Shock to the System" || Best Special Effects || |- ! scope="row" | |"Shock to the System" || Best Editing ||

Pollstar Concert Industry Awards !Ref. |- | 1988 | Tour | Most Creative Tour Package | | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Revolver Magazine

References

Reference bibliography

References

1. Vrchoticky, Nick. (29 September 2020). "The Truth About Billy Idol's Horrific Motorcycle Accident".
2. Idol, Billy. (9 September 2020). "❤️ Joan Broad née O'Sullivan 24th February 1928- 16th August 2020 -BFI *St George's Bickley UK".
3. Lifton, Dave. (30 August 2014). "BILLY IDOL'S FATHER, WILLIAM BROAD, DIES". Ultimate Classic Rock.
4. Dermody, Joe. (18 June 2015). "Live at the Marquee: Billy's still an Idol in Rebel County". Irish Examiner.
5. Idol, Billy. (30 July 2012). "Just to show u where my heart lies......My mum's Maiden name was O'Sullivan. Half English half Irish alright! http://say.ly/wlP3S87".
6. "Film Reference biography". Filmreference.com.
7. Idol, Billy. (January 2024). "Dancing with Myself". Simon & Schuster.
8. (24 July 2008). "Billy Idol: the return of Billy the kid". The Daily Telegraph.
9. (January 2024). "The Roxy London WC2: A Punk History".
10. Trakin, Roy. (2023-01-05). "Billy Idol on Getting the Mark of a True Idol: a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame".
11. Edmunds, Ben, untitled essay in ''Greatest Hits'' (2001)
12. ConcertVault interview 21 November 1983
13. Hay, Karyn. (April 1984). "Radio with Pictures". Television New Zealand.
14. {{YouTube. o0cZL_rDKS0. "BBC Breakfast Billy Idol Interview (27 October 2014)". BBC. Retrieved 28 October 2014
15. "Chelsea".
16. "Biography by Greg Prato". AllMusic.
17. "Gold & Platinum".
18. "Anglomania: The Second British Invasion".
19. (15 February 2010). "Vernon Reid – Guitar World interview (part 3) Cult of Personality". The Biography Channel.
20. William Ruhlmann. "Billy Idol - Billy Idol | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.
21. "charts.org.nz - Discography Billy Idol".
22. "Billy Idol Music News & Info".
23. [[Joel Whitburn. Whitburn, Joel]] (2006). ''The [[Billboard (magazine). Billboard]] Book of Top 40 Hits''. Billboard Books
24. Roberts, David. (2006). "British Hit Singles & Albums". Guinness World Records Limited.
25. "Billy Idol {{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com".
26. "Certificados".
27. "Gold & Platinum".
28. "Gold & Platinum - Music Canada".
29. (1982-09-11). "BILLY IDOL".
30. "FAQs- Coral Castle Museum".
31. "australian-charts.com - Discography Billy Idol".
32. "charts.org.nz - Discography Billy Idol".
33. Pennanen, Timo. (2006). "(Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki". Otava.
34. Háskólabókasafn, Landsbókasafn Íslands-. "Tímarit.is".
35. Marilyn Monroe Died Here – More Locations of America's Pop Culture Landmarks by Chris Epting, p. 185
36. {{IMDb name. 2150
37. Idol, Billy. (23 June 2015). "A black man washed my hair in hospital '90 & explained his feelings on seeing the Confederate flag, I promised him I would never wear it.".
38. Idol, Billy. (23 June 2015). "I never wear the Confederate battle flag ever since 1990 as I realized it symbolizes oppression to certain Americans...".
39. Kilday, Gregg. (8 March 1991). "Faces in the Crowd".
40. (17 August 2017). "Billy Idol Almost Played the T-1000 in 'Terminator 2,' Robert Patrick Says".
41. (29 September 2020). "Billy Idol's Motorcycle Accident". grunge.com.
42. "Billy Idol". Rock on the Net.
43. Branniganpublished, Paul. (2023-11-20). "On Halloween 1990, Billy Idol played the final show of his Charmed Life tour in Seattle. The night would feature Faith No More dancing naked, 600 dead fish, five miniature pigs, a goat, and a visit from the Seattle police department".
44. (29 June 2013). "20 Years Ago: Billy Idol's 'Cyberpunk' Album Released". Ultimate Classic Rock.
45. "Billy Idol wants Generation X reunion". 3news.co.nz.
46. Dave White. "About Classic Rock - Review Who "Tommy/Quadrophenia" DVD". About.com Entertainment.
47. "The Wedding Singer (1998) - IMDb".
48. "Gold & Platinum".
49. (7 October 2002). "Idol idle: rebel's yell silenced". The Age.
50. "Rock am Ring 2005". ringrocker.com.
51. "Happy Holidays: A Very Special Christmas Album... {{!}} AllMusic".
52. "Concert Week: Def Leppard and Billy Idol Live".
53. "Billy Idol · Super Overdrive Live DVD".
54. "06/28/2006: Billy Idol @ Congress Theater {{!}} Concert Archives".
55. "Billy Idol announced to play Download 2010". Downloadfestival.co.uk.
56. (11 May 2011). "Billy Morrison: MORRISON WITH IDOL 2010".
57. (18 October 2013). "BBC Four - How the Brits Rocked America: Go West". BBC.
58. Wolfe, Jennifer. (12 September 2013). "'Randy Cunningham 9th Grade Ninja' Returns for Second Series".
59. Ungerman, Alex. (25 October 2013). "Billy Idol is a Punk Robot on 'Randy Cunningham'".
60. (8 October 2013). "Album of the Week: Stream 'Zang Tuum Tumb,' a 27-Track History of ZTT Records". Spin.
61. (17 June 2014). "Billy Idol to Release First New Album in Nearly a Decade". The Hollywood Reporter.
62. "Billy Idol".
63. "Billy Idol Concert Map by year: 2017 {{!}} setlist.fm".
64. "Generation Sex: King Rockers and Silly Things at the Roxy". [[LA Weekly]].
65. Price, Jason. (2019-04-29). "Bryan Adams and Billy Idol To Embark On First-Ever Co-Headlining 2019 Tour".
66. Judy Kurtz. (28 February 2020). "Billy Idol, de Blasio launch anti-car idling campaign in New York: 'Billy never idles'".
67. Kreps, Daniel. (20 November 2020). "Miley Cyrus Talks Working With Billy Idol on New Song 'Night Crawling' - Rolling Stone".
68. Carter, Simone. "[https://www.newsweek.com/def-leppard-elton-john-here-are-miley-cyrus-most-powerful-collabs-1748061 From Def Leppard to Elton John, Here Are Miley Cyrus' Most Powerful Collabs]". ''[[Newsweek]]'', 30 September 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022
69. (11 August 2021). "The Roadside – brand new 4-song EP".
70. (14 March 2022). "Billy Idol is Still Battling Dangerous Staph Infection".
71. (6 October 2022). "Killing Joke joins Billy Idol Roadside Tour after illness forces Television to pull out".
72. "Billy Idol".
73. (6 January 2023). "BILLY IDOL TO BE HONORED WITH FIRST HOLLYWOOD FAME STAR OF 2023".
74. (23 January 2023). "Rebel on the Road: Billy Idol Plots 2023 North American Tour Dates".
75. Duran, Anagricel. (19 April 2023). "Billy Idol makes history by playing first ever concert at the Hoover Dam".
76. "Generation Sex – Acts – Glastonbury". [[BBC]].
77. (12 February 2025). "The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Unveils 2025 Nominees: See the Complete List".
78. (13 February 2025). "Billy Idol Was 'Knocked Down' by His Rock Hall Nomination".
79. (2025-02-26). "Billy Idol Announces 'Dream Into It,' First New Album In 11 Years: Hear "Still Dancing"".
80. "Dream Into It by Billy Idol".
81. "Billy Idol reveals he nearly died from a heroin overdose — and more bombshells from his new doc".
82. (11 June 2025). "Film Festivals'Billy Idol Should Be Dead' review: Dir. Jonas Åkerlund [TriBeCa 2025]". The Hollywood News.
83. Salvador, Cinthia. "Billy Idol celebrated his birthday in Mexico City and Daniela Villarreal from The Warning sang "Las Mañanitas" to him with a mariachi band".
84. Adams, Greg. "Generation X – Generation X". [[AllMusic]].
85. Ogg, Alex. "Valley of the Dolls Generation X". [[AllMusic]].
86. 'Dancing with Myself' by Billy Idol (Pub. Simon & Schuster, 2014).
87. Breihan, Tom. (March 26, 2021). "The Number Ones: Billy Idol's "Mony Mony".
88. (September 24, 2021). "'80s bad boy Billy Idol returns with concert at Tower Theater, new music and a book".
89. (7 October 2014). "DANCING WITH MYSELF IS RELEASED!".
90. Sullivan, Caroline. (November 10, 2014). "Billy Idol proves he's still the prince of 80s glam-punk". [[The Guardian]].
91. Osterberg, Christopher. (29 June 2022). "A survivor of rock'n'roll's extreme lifestyle". [[The Budapest Times]].
92. Ruhlmann, William. "Don't Stop - Billy Idol". [[AllMusic]].
93. Harrington, Jim. (5 March 2019). "What is New Wave icon Billy Idol up to now? You might not guess".
94. Rubén de Haro. (2020-05-01). "Billy Idol - Charmed Life: 30 años de la cuna del amor más famosa del rock".
95. Collar, Matt. "Billy Idol Biography".
96. Prato, Greg. "Billy Idol Biography". [[AllMusic]].
97. Rubén de Haro. (1 May 2020). "Billy Idol - Charmed Life: 30 años de la cuna del amor más famosa del rock".
98. Taylor, Jonathan. (1982-09-02). "Billy Idol".
99. Chiu, David. "Billy Idol Talks 'Rebel Yell' On The Classic Album's 40th Anniversary".
100. Heller, Jason. (19 August 2013). "New wave in the front, heavy metal in the back". [[The A.V. Club]].
101. Peacock, Tim. (4 September 2024). "'Charmed Life': Billy Idol's Death-Defying Fourth Album". [[uDiscoverMusic]].
102. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. (2005-03-22). "Devil's Playground – Billy Idol | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". [[AllMusic]].
103. Peak, Tony. (December 1, 2023). "Billy Idol's Cyberpunk". [[Medium (website).
104. Rivadavia, Eduardo. (September 9, 2016). "Billy Idol Albums Ranked Worst to Best".
105. Rud, Keld. (October 19, 2014). "Billy Idol: Kings And Queens Of The Underground".
106. (23 April 2025). "Album: Billy Idol - Dream Into It".
107. O'Mahony, Isobel. (2025-04-25). "GLAM ROCK GOES GRUNGE: BILLY IDOL RELEASES SLOW-BURNING NEW RECORD 'DREAM INTO IT'".
108. Folley, Aris. (17 November 2018). "Billy Idol becomes a US citizen".
109. .Hochman, Steve (1999). ''Popular Musicians: The Doobie Brothers-Paul McCartney''. Salem Press. p.512
110. ''Amica'' magazine. Milan, Italy: RCS Mediagroup S.p.A. #1 January 2012
111. "Billy Idol biography".
112. (5 October 2014). "Billy Idol".
113. Roura, Phil. (11 September 2010). "Wild at heart: Billy Idol may be a proud dad, but there's no taming the rocker".
114. Irvin, Jack. (8 July 2024). "Billy Idol Pays Tribute to Late Father William Broad on What Would've Been His 100th Birthday".
115. Muller, Michael. (25 September 2014). "Preview Billy Idol's Candid Memoir "Dancing with Myself"".
116. (2002-07-09). "Harley-Davidson Celebrates 100 Years With Concerts, Exhibits".
117. (10 June 2025). "Billy Idol's Daughter Reveals How a 23andMe Test Helped Lead Family to Singer's Long-Lost Son Brant". People Magazine.
118. McClurg, Jocelyn. "Billy Idol is as 'candid as possible' in new memoir".
119. "Billy Idol: Sex, Drugs, 'Charmed Life,' and the Crash That Nearly Killed Me".
120. (8 August 1994). "Rock Idol Leaves Hospital After Treatment for Overdose".
121. (5 December 2013). "MTV Behind the Music".
122. Meisfjord, Tom. (28 July 2020). "You probably wouldn't want to meet Billy Idol in real life. Here's why".
123. Jakusz, Nick. (2025-04-22). "Billy Idol: 'I Gave Up Booze, Found the Gym, and I'm Still a Badass'".
124. Trakin, Roy. (5 January 2023). "Billy Idol on Getting the Mark of a True Idol: a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame".
125. "Band".
126. (25 May 1991). "ASCAP Pop Awards Honor Most-Performed Songs".
127. "Billy Idol nomination for 1991 BRIT Awards Best British Video". Brit Awards.
128. (4 October 2005). "Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards: Winners Announced". blabbermouth.net.
129. (27 February 1985). "Turner, Prince, Richie top out the Grammys". The Deseret News.
130. "1984 Grammy Award Winners". Grammy.com.
131. (25 February 1987). "Simon's controversial album wins most prestigious Grammy". The Deseret News.
132. "1986 Grammy Award Winners". Grammy.com.
133. "33rd Annual Grammy Awards". [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
134. (6 September 1990). "vma 1990: about the show". [[Viacom (1952–2006).
135. (20 March 2017). "Pollstar Awards Archive - 1987".
136. Graff, Gary. (2025-02-13). "Billy Idol 'Knocked Out' by First Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nomination: 'It Caught Me By Surprise'".
137. Pierce, Ken. (2011-12-16). "Congrats To Revolver Magazine On Their 100th Issue".