History of Billy Idol in Timeline
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.
4 hours ago : Billy Idol and Joan Jett Rock Tampa and Atlanta Concerts: A Review
Billy Idol and Joan Jett delivered electrifying performances in Tampa and Atlanta. Reviews highlight their hit-filled sets and energetic stage presence. Venue access in Tampa proved challenging for some attendees.
November 1955: William Michael Albert Broad Born
On 30 November 1955, William Michael Albert Broad, later known as Billy Idol, was born in Stanmore, England. His parents were Joan (née O'Sullivan), an Irish housewife, and William Alfred Broad, an English salesman.
November 1955: Birth of William Michael Albert Broad
On 30 November 1955, William Michael Albert Broad, who would later become known as Billy Idol, was born in Stanmore to Joan (née O'Sullivan) and William Alfred Broad.
1958: Family Moves to the U.S.
In 1958, at the age of two, William Michael Albert Broad moved with his parents to the U.S., settling in Patchogue, New York and living in Rockville Centre, New York.
1971: Family Moves to Bromley
In 1971, when William Michael Albert Broad was 15, his family moved to Bromley, where he attended Ravensbourne School for Boys.
October 1975: Attends University of Sussex
In October 1975, William Michael Albert Broad began attending the University of Sussex to pursue a Philosophy with Literature degree.
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.
1976: Leaves University
In 1976, William Michael Albert Broad left the University of Sussex after one year.
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".
November 1983: Discusses Billy Idol Stage Name
In an interview on 21 November 1983, Billy Idol talked about his stage name, saying, "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?"
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.
1984: Establishment of MTV Video Music Awards
In 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards, an annual awards ceremony, were established by MTV.
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.
1988: Birth of Son, Willem
In 1988, Billy Idol's son Willem was born from his relationship with Perri Lister. Willem later became a member of the rock band FIM.
1989: Separation from Perri Lister
In 1989, Billy Idol separated from his long-term partner, English singer and dancer Perri Lister.
February 1990: Motorcycle Accident
On 6 February 1990, Billy Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Hollywood that nearly cost him a leg. He was hit by a car, requiring a steel rod to be placed in his leg. While hospitalized, he vowed to stop wearing clothing featuring the Confederate flag.
1990: Motorcycle Accident and Recovery
In 1990, Billy Idol broke his leg in a motorcycle accident.
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.
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.
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: Drug Overdose
In 1994, Billy Idol collapsed outside a Los Angeles nightclub due to an overdose of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).
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.
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.
2002: Performance at NRL Grand Final Interrupted
In 2002, Billy Idol's half-time entertainment performance at the NRL Grand Final in Sydney was interrupted by a power failure after he sang only two words of "White Wedding."
2003: Cessation of Hard Drug Use
In 2003, Billy Idol stopped using hard drugs, deciding his children would never forgive him for dying of a drug overdose.
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.
October 2014: Explains Origin of "Billy Idol" Name
In October 2014, Billy Idol explained in an interview for BBC Breakfast that he had wanted to use the name "Billy Idle" but chose Billy Idol instead because he thought the name Billy Idle would be unavailable.
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.
2014: Autobiography Release
In 2014, Billy Idol released his biography, Dancing With Myself, reflecting on his life and experiences.
2014: Memoir Details Drug Use
In his 2014 memoir, Billy Idol discussed his past struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, including incidents of passing out in nightclubs and waking up in hospitals. He also mentioned that he had not taken hard drugs since 2003, but smoked cannabis and was an occasional drinker.
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.
2018: American Citizenship
In 2018, Billy Idol gained American citizenship in addition to his British citizenship.
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.
March 2022: MRSA Diagnosis and Tour Cancellation
In March 2022, Billy Idol was diagnosed with MRSA, leading to the cancellation of a co-headlining tour with Journey.
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.
2024: Grandfather to Three Granddaughters
As of 2024, Billy Idol has three granddaughters.
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".
Mentioned in this timeline
Las Vegas is the most populous city in Nevada and...
Ninjas or shinobi were covert agents in pre-modern Japan They...
Los Angeles L A is the most populous city in...
A car or automobile is a wheeled motor vehicle designed...
Music is a cultural universal involving the arrangement of sound...
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland...
Trending
48 minutes ago Sean Penn defends Woody Allen, expresses willingness to collaborate despite allegations.
49 minutes ago Wes Anderson discusses 'The Phoenician Scheme' and Cannes party bus experience.
2 hours ago Tracker Season 3 Spoilers: Finale Revelation, Jensen Ackles, and Cast Changes Unpacked.
2 hours ago Ishaan Khatter at Cannes 2025: Indian Films and Celebrities Shine on Global Stage
2 hours ago RDJ Shares 'Avengers: Doomsday' Photo & Supports Jeremy Renner's Book.
3 hours ago Baloch Rebels Claim Attacks: BLA Message to India After Strikes in Pakistan
Popular
Pope Francis is the current head of the Catholic Church...
Michael Jordan also known as MJ is an American businessman...
Cristiano Ronaldo often nicknamed CR is a highly decorated Portuguese...
Jupiter the fifth planet from the Sun is the Solar...
LeBron James nicknamed King James is a professional basketball player...
Ronald Reagan the th U S President - was a...