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 rock singer who rose to prominence in the 1970s as the frontman of the punk rock band Generation X. He subsequently launched a successful solo career, gaining international fame and becoming a prominent figure during the MTV-era "Second British Invasion" in the United States. His blend of punk attitude and pop sensibilities, coupled with his distinctive look, helped define the sound and style of the 1980s music scene.
3 hours ago : Billy Idol's wild adventures, punk stardom, and rock excess, revealed in new Hulu documentary.
Billy Idol reflects on his wild 80s New York adventures, punk stardom secrets, and rock excess in a new Hulu documentary. He recounts meeting David Bowie covered in vomit and surviving near-death experiences.
1976: Started music career with Chelsea
In 1976, Billy Idol started his music career as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea.
1976: Joined Chelsea and co-founded Generation X
In late 1976, Billy Idol joined the band Chelsea as a guitarist before quitting to co-found Generation X with Tony James, transitioning to the role of singer/frontman.
1977: Sang "Your Generation" on TV series Marc
In 1977, Billy Idol sang "Your Generation" on the TV series Marc.
1980: Generation X performed in D.O.A.
In 1980, Generation X, the band with Billy Idol as lead singer, performed in the film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage.
1981: Started Solo Career
In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City and became a solo artist, releasing the EP Don't Stop, including the Generation X song "Dancing with Myself" and a cover of "Mony Mony".
1981: Moved to New York City
In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City to begin his solo career, collaborating with guitarist Steve Stevens.
July 1982: Release of debut solo album
In July 1982, Billy Idol's debut solo album Billy Idol was released, reaching number 45 on the Billboard 200.
1982: MTV Staple
In 1982, Billy Idol became an MTV staple with "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself".
1982: Debut Solo Album Release
In 1982, Billy Idol released his debut solo album titled Billy Idol. The album achieved commercial success, becoming a staple on MTV with music videos for singles like "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding".
1983: "Dancing with Myself" released in the US
In 1983, "Dancing with Myself" was released in the US in conjunction with a music video directed by Tobe Hooper, which played on MTV for six months.
1983: Release of Rebel Yell album
In 1983, Billy Idol released his second studio album Rebel Yell, which became a major commercial success, featuring hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face". The album sold 2 million copies in America.
1984: Experimentation with synth-pop
In 1984, Billy Idol experimented with synth-pop in "Eyes Without a Face".
1986: Whiplash Smile Released
In 1986, Billy Idol released Whiplash Smile, which charted in the top ten in 9 countries and included hits such as "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen".
1987: Release of Vital Idol Remix Album and Topping the Charts
In 1987, Billy Idol released the remix album Vital Idol, which featured a live rendition of his cover of Tommy James' "Mony Mony", which topped the United States chart.
1988: Release of Idol Songs: 11 of the Best compilation album
In 1988, Billy Idol released a compilation album titled Idol Songs: 11 of the Best, which charted at number 2 in both the UK and Iceland and reached number 1 in Finland.
1988: Greatest hits album release
In 1988, Billy Idol released the greatest hits album Idol Songs: 11 of the Best, which went platinum in the UK.
1990: Experimentation with jazz
In 1990, Billy Idol experimented with jazz in "Endless Sleep".
1990: Charmed Life Release and "Cradle of Love" Success
In 1990, Billy Idol released Charmed Life. The video for the single "Cradle of Love", which was featured in The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, won an award at the MTV Video Music Awards.
1990: Release of Charmed Life album
In 1990, Billy Idol released the album Charmed Life.
1991: Loss of Film Roles Due to Accident
In 1991, due to a motorcycle accident, Billy Idol's role in The Doors was reduced, and he lost the role of the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
1993: Live Acoustic Performance at KROQ's Acoustic Christmas concert
In 1993, Billy Idol performed a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell", taken from a performance at Los Angeles station KROQ's Acoustic Christmas concert, which was included on the Greatest Hits album released later.
1993: Concept Album Cyberpunk Release
In 1993, Billy Idol released the concept album Cyberpunk.
1993: Cyberpunk Album Release
In 1993, Billy Idol released the experimental album Cyberpunk, recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer. He also toured in Europe and played a Generation X reunion show.
1994: Release of the single "Speed"
In 1994, Billy Idol recorded and released the single "Speed", which was featured in the film soundtrack album.
1996: Appearance in Who's Quadrophenia and Mad Dog Time
In 1996, Billy Idol appeared in a live version of the Who's Quadrophenia and played Lee Turner in the film Mad Dog Time.
1998: Cameo in The Wedding Singer
In 1998, Billy Idol made a cameo appearance as himself in the film The Wedding Singer, which featured "White Wedding" on its soundtrack.
2000: Collaboration with Tony Iommi and Voice Acting Role
In 2000, Billy Idol was a guest vocalist on Tony Iommi's debut solo album, co-writing the song "Into the Night," and voiced Odin 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.
2002: NRL Grand Final Half-Time Entertainment
In 2002, Billy Idol's half-time performance at the NRL Grand Final in Sydney was cut short due to a power failure.
March 2005: Release of Devil's Playground
In March 2005, Billy Idol released "Devil's Playground", his first new studio album in nearly 12 years. The album reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 and No. 15 in Germany. It included a cover of "Plastic Jesus".
2005: Devil's Playground Album Release
In 2005, Billy Idol made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground album.
2006: Release of Happy Holidays
In 2006, Billy Idol released a Christmas album titled "Happy Holidays", which included renditions of traditional Christmas songs along with two original songs.
June 2008: Release of The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
In June 2008, Billy Idol released the greatest hits album "The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself" and embarked on a worldwide tour, co-headlining with Def Leppard.
March 2010: Addition of Billy Morrison and Jeremy Colson to touring line-up
In March 2010, Billy Idol added Camp Freddy guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson to his touring line-up.
2010: Started recording Kings & Queens of the Underground
In 2010, Billy Idol started recording his eighth studio album, "Kings & Queens of the Underground", working with producer Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes and Greg Kurstin. The album would be released four years later, in 2014.
October 2014: Release of Kings & Queens of the Underground and publication of Dancing with Myself
In October 2014, Billy Idol released his eighth studio album, "Kings & Queens of the Underground", and his autobiography, "Dancing with Myself", which became a New York Times bestseller.
November 2014: Start of Kings & Queens of the Underground world tour
In November 2014, Billy Idol embarked on a worldwide tour in support of his new album, "Kings & Queens of the Underground".
2014: Release of Dancing With Myself biography
In 2014, Billy Idol released his biography titled Dancing With Myself.
2014: Release of memoir Dancing with Myself
In 2014, Billy Idol released his memoir "Dancing with Myself".
April 2015: End of Kings & Queens of the Underground world tour
In April 2015, Billy Idol ended his 40-date world tour in support of his album, "Kings & Queens of the Underground". The tour included performances in Europe, North America, and Australia.
2016: North American tour
In 2016, Billy Idol continued touring North America.
2017: Continued North American tour
In 2017, Billy Idol continued touring North America.
February 2020: Starred in public service campaign
In late February 2020, Billy Idol starred in a public service campaign with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police titled "Billy Never Idles", aimed at reducing air pollution in New York City.
November 2020: Guest vocalist on Miley Cyrus' Plastic Hearts
In November 2020, Billy Idol was a guest vocalist on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus' album "Plastic Hearts".
August 2021: Release of Bitter Taste music video and announcement of The Roadside EP
On 12 August 2021, Billy Idol's music video "Bitter Taste" was uploaded to YouTube. Idol also announced his new EP "The Roadside", which was released in September.
2025: Kings & Queens of the Underground Release and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
In 2025, Billy Idol released the album Kings & Queens of the Underground and was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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