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 singer, songwriter, musician, and actor who rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the punk rock band Generation X. He then launched a successful solo career, becoming a significant figure in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of America. His music blended punk sensibilities with a more accessible pop sound, contributing to his widespread international fame and iconic status in pop culture.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1976: Joins Chelsea and Forms Generation X

In 1976, Billy Idol began his music career as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea, but left after a few weeks. Later in 1976, Idol formed Generation X with former Chelsea bandmate Tony James, taking on the role of lead singer.

1977: Sings on TV Series

In 1977, Billy Idol sang "Your Generation" on the TV series Marc.

1980: Generation X Appears in Film

In 1980, Generation X, with Billy Idol as lead singer, performed in the film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage.

1981: Moves to New York and Starts Solo Career

In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City and became a solo artist, working with former Kiss manager Bill Aucoin. He also released the EP Don't Stop, which included "Dancing with Myself" and a cover of "Mony Mony".

July 1982: Billy Idol Debut Album Released

In July 1982, Billy Idol released his debut solo album, Billy Idol, through Chrysalis Records.

1982: Becomes MTV Staple

In 1982, Billy Idol became an MTV staple with his music videos for "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself", contributing to the "Second British Invasion" of the US.

1982: Debut Solo Album Release

In July 1982, Billy Idol's debut self-titled solo album, Billy Idol, was released. The album was a commercial success and established Idol on MTV with the music videos for the singles "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding".

1983: Release and Success of "Rebel Yell"

In 1983, Billy Idol released his second LP, Rebel Yell, which became a major success. It featured hits like "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without a Face", and "Flesh for Fantasy".

1983: Rebel Yell Album Release

In 1983, Billy Idol released his second studio album, Rebel Yell. The album was a major commercial success and featured hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face".

1983: "Dancing with Myself" Released in the US

In 1983, Billy Idol's label released "Dancing with Myself" in the US, along with a music video directed by Tobe Hooper.

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1986: Whiplash Smile Album Release

In 1986, Billy Idol released the album Whiplash Smile, which included the hits "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen".

1987: Release of Vital Idol Remix Album and Chart Success of "Mony Mony"

In 1987, Billy Idol released Vital Idol, a remix album. Also in 1987, a live rendition of his cover of Tommy James' song "Mony Mony" topped the United States chart and reached number 7 in the UK.

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: Charmed Life and Cradle of Love Release

In 1990, Billy Idol released Charmed Life. Due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, the video for "Cradle of Love" was shot with Idol filmed from the waist up. The song was featured in the film The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. "Cradle of Love" earned Idol a third Grammy nomination.

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1990: Charmed Life Album Release

In 1990, Billy Idol released the album Charmed Life.

1991: Film Roles Affected by Accident

In 1991, due to injuries sustained, Billy Idol's roles in the films The Doors and Terminator 2: Judgment Day were affected. He had been cast in The Doors, but his role was reduced, and he was unable to take on the role of the T-1000 in Terminator 2.

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1993: Acoustic Christmas Concert

In 1993, Billy Idol performed at Los Angeles station KROQ's Acoustic Christmas concert. A live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell", taken from the concert, was released on the Greatest Hits compilation in 2001.

1993: Release of Cyberpunk and Generation X Reunion

In 1993, Billy Idol released Cyberpunk, an experimental album recorded in a home studio using a Macintosh computer, and played a Generation X reunion show. The album did not perform well in the United States.

1993: Cyberpunk Album Release

In 1993, Billy Idol released the concept album Cyberpunk.

1994: "Speed" Single Release

In 1994, Billy Idol recorded and released the single "Speed," which was featured in the film soundtrack album.

1996: Appearance in Quadrophenia

In 1996, Billy Idol appeared in a live version of The Who's Quadrophenia.

1998: Cameo in The Wedding Singer

In 1998, Billy Idol made a cameo appearance as himself in the film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.

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2000: Collaboration on Tony Iommi's Album 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". He also voice acted in the film Heavy Metal 2000, providing a song for the soundtrack as well.

April 2001: VH1 Airs Behind the Music and Storytellers Show

On 16 April 2001, VH1 aired Billy Idol – Behind the Music. Idol and Stevens took part in a VH1 Storytellers show three days later.

March 2005: Devil's Playground Album Release

In March 2005, Billy Idol's first new studio album in nearly 12 years, Devil's Playground, was released. The album reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200 and included a cover of "Plastic Jesus".

2005: Devil's Playground Release

In 2005, Billy Idol made a musical comeback with the release of Devil's Playground.

June 2006: Performance for Soundstage

In June 2006, Billy Idol performed at the Congress Theater, Chicago, for the United States television series Soundstage.

June 2008: The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself Album and Tour

On 24 June 2008, Billy 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.

November 2009: Release of "In Super Overdrive Live" DVD/Blu-ray

On 17 November 2009, the performance from June 2006 was released on DVD/Blu-ray as In Super Overdrive Live.

February 2010: Download Festival Announcement

In February 2010, Billy Idol was announced as an act for the Download Festival in Donington Park, England. He declared that he would be playing classic songs with a punk rock attitude.

March 2010: Touring Line-up Additions

In March 2010, Billy Idol expanded his touring line-up by adding Camp Freddy guitarist Billy Morrison and drummer Jeremy Colson.

2010: Recording the Kings & Queens of the Underground Album

In 2010, Billy Idol began recording his album Kings & Queens of the Underground. He worked with Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, and Greg Kurstin between 2010 and 2014 during the album's production.

2013: TV Appearances

In 2013, Billy Idol appeared on the BBC Four series How the Brits Rocked America and voiced Spikey Hair Bot in Disney XD's Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja episode "McSatchle".

October 2014: Album and Autobiography Release

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.

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2016: "Rebel Yell" Performance with Miley Cyrus

In 2016, Billy Idol and Miley Cyrus performed "Rebel Yell" together at the iHeartRadio Festival in Las Vegas.

October 2018: Generation Sex Gig at the Roxy

On October 30, 2018, Billy Idol, Tony James, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook performed a free gig at the Roxy in Hollywood under the name Generation Sex, playing material from Generation X and the Sex Pistols.

February 2020: "Billy Never Idles" Public Service Campaign

In late February 2020, Billy Idol partnered with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police and Mayor Bill de Blasio for the "Billy Never Idles" public service campaign to combat unnecessary automobile idling and reduce air pollution.

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 August 12, 2021, Billy Idol's music video "Bitter Taste" was uploaded to YouTube. He announced his new EP The Roadside, which was released on September 17, 2021.

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September 2022: Roadside Tour Embarkation

In September 2022, Billy Idol began his postponed Roadside Tour, with Killing Joke and Toyah as his UK opening acts in October.

September 2022: Release of "The Cage" EP

On September 23, 2022, Billy Idol released his EP "The Cage".

January 2023: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star and North American Tour Announcement

On January 6, 2023, Billy Idol received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On January 24, he announced a North American tour from late March through mid-May, beginning in Scottsdale on March 30 and concluding at the Cruel World Festival on May 20 in Pasadena.

2023: Glastonbury Performance with Generation Sex

In 2023, Billy Idol, as a member of Generation Sex, toured and performed at Glastonbury.

2025: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination and Album Announcement

In 2025, Billy Idol was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Steve Stevens also nominated. He also announced his first studio album in nearly 11 years, Dream Into It, and debuted a new single, "Still Dancing".

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