Career Timeline of Billy Idol: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Billy Idol built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Billy Idol, born William Michael Albert Broad, is an English musician who rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the frontman for the punk rock band Generation X. He transitioned to a successful solo career in the 1980s, becoming a prominent figure in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion." Idol's music blended punk sensibilities with pop appeal, creating a signature sound that resonated globally and cemented his status as a music icon.
1976: Joins Chelsea and forms Generation X
In 1976, Billy Idol started his music career as a guitarist for the punk rock band Chelsea but left after a few weeks. Later in 1976, he formed Generation X with Tony James.
1981: Moves to New York and Begins Solo Career
In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City and began his solo career, working with Bill Aucoin and guitarist Steve Stevens. He released the EP Don't Stop.
1981: Moves to New York City
In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career, collaborating with guitarist Steve Stevens.
July 1982: Releases Billy Idol Solo Album
In July 1982, Billy Idol's debut solo album, Billy Idol, was released.
1982: MTV Staple
In 1982, Billy Idol became an MTV staple as part of the "Second British Invasion" of the US, with "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself".
1982: Debut Solo Album
In 1982, Billy Idol's self-titled debut solo album, Billy Idol, was released and became a commercial success. Music videos for his singles became staples on MTV.
1983: Releases Rebel Yell
In 1983, Billy Idol released his second studio album, Rebel Yell, which became a major commercial success with hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face".
1983: Dancing with Myself Release in the US
In 1983, Billy 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.
1986: Releases Whiplash Smile
In 1986, Billy Idol released Whiplash Smile, which sold well and included the hits "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun", and "Sweet Sixteen".
1987: Releases Vital Idol and Mony Mony Topped Charts
In 1987, Billy Idol released a remix album titled Vital Idol. Also in 1987, a live rendition of "Mony Mony" topped the United States chart.
1988: Releases Idol Songs: 11 of the Best
In 1988, Billy Idol released the greatest hits album Idol Songs: 11 of the Best, which went platinum in the UK.
1990: Charmed Life Release and Cradle of Love Video
In 1990, Billy Idol released Charmed Life. Due to injuries from a motorcycle accident, the video for "Cradle of Love" was shot with Idol from the waist up. The song was featured in the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.
1990: Releases Charmed Life
In 1990, Billy Idol released the album Charmed Life.
1991: Film Roles Affected by Accident
Due to his motorcycle accident, in 1991, Billy Idol's role in Oliver Stone's film The Doors was reduced, and he was recast for the role of the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
1993: Releases Cyberpunk
In 1993, Billy Idol released Cyberpunk, an experimental album recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer with Studiovision and Pro Tools.
1994: Records and Releases Speed
In 1994, Billy Idol recorded and released the single "Speed", which was featured in the film soundtrack album.
1998: Appears in The Wedding Singer
In 1998, Billy Idol made a cameo appearance as himself in the film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.
2000: Guest vocalist on Tony Iommi's debut solo album
In 2000, Billy Idol was a guest vocalist on Tony Iommi's debut solo album, co-writing the song "Into the Night". He also voice acted in the film Heavy Metal 2000.
April 2001: VH1 Behind the Music and Storytellers
In April 2001, VH1 aired Billy Idol – Behind the Music, and Idol and Stevens took part in a VH1 Storytellers show three days later.
March 2005: Releases Devil's Playground
In March 2005, Billy Idol released Devil's Playground, his first new studio album in nearly 12 years.
2005: Releases Devil's Playground
In 2005, Billy Idol made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground.
June 2008: Releases The Very Best of Billy Idol
On 24 June 2008, Billy Idol released the greatest hits album The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself and embarked on a worldwide tour with Def Leppard.
November 2009: Releases In Super Overdrive Live
In November 2009, the performance from Soundstage was released on DVD/Blu-ray as In Super Overdrive Live.
February 2010: Download Festival Performance Announcement
In February 2010, Billy Idol was announced as one of the acts to perform at the Download Festival in Donington Park, England.
March 2010: Touring Line-up Additions
In March 2010, Billy Idol expanded his touring line-up with Camp Freddy guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson.
2010: Album Recording Begins
In 2010, Billy Idol started recording his album 'Kings & Queens of the Underground', working with Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, and Greg Kurstin over the next four years.
October 2014: Album and Autobiography Release
In October 2014, Billy Idol released his eighth studio album, 'Kings & Queens of the Underground'. On 7 October 2014, his autobiography, 'Dancing with Myself', was published and became a New York Times bestseller.
2014: Publishes Dancing With Myself biography and releases Kings & Queens of the Underground album
In 2014, Billy Idol's biography, Dancing With Myself was published. Also in 2014, he released the album Kings & Queens of the Underground.
2016: "Rebel Yell" Performance with Miley Cyrus
In 2016, Billy Idol and Miley Cyrus performed "Rebel Yell" at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas.
October 2018: Generation Sex Gig at The Roxy
On 30 October 2018, Billy Idol, along with former Generation X members Tony James, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook, performed a free gig at the Roxy in Hollywood under the name Generation Sex, playing a combined set of their former bands' material.
February 2020: "Billy Never Idles" Public Service Campaign
In late February 2020, Billy Idol starred in the "Billy Never Idles" public service campaign with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police to combat unnecessary automobile idling.
November 2020: Guest Vocalist on Miley Cyrus' Album
In November 2020, Billy Idol was a guest vocalist on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus' album, 'Plastic Hearts'.
August 2021: "Bitter Taste" Music Video Release and EP Announcement
On 12 August 2021, Billy Idol's music video for "Bitter Taste" was uploaded to YouTube. Idol also announced his new EP 'The Roadside', which was released on 17 September.
March 2022: MRSA Diagnosis and Tour Cancellation
In March 2022, Billy Idol was diagnosed with MRSA, leading to the cancellation of his co-headlining tour with Journey.
September 2022: "The Cage" EP Release
On 23 September 2022, Billy Idol released another EP, 'The Cage'. A video for the title track also premiered on YouTube on 17 August.
January 2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and North American Tour Announcement
In January 2023, Billy Idol was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On 24 January, he announced a North American tour from late March through mid-May.
2025: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination and New Album Announcement
In 2025, Billy Idol was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time. On 26 February, he announced his first studio album in nearly 11 years, 'Dream Into It', and debuted with a new single, "Still Dancing".
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