History of Billy Idol in Timeline
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.
18 hours ago : Billy Idol Reflects on Near-Fatal Overdose and Recent Documentary Premiere in NYC.
Billy Idol recounts his near-fatal heroin overdose in 1984 during his music career peak. Idol also recently appeared youthful at his NYC documentary premiere, reflecting on past challenges and current projects.
November 1955: Birth of William Michael Albert Broad
In November 1955, William Michael Albert Broad (Billy Idol) was born in Stanmore to Joan (née O'Sullivan) and William Alfred Broad.
November 1955: William Michael Albert Broad Born
In November 1955, William Michael Albert Broad, who later became known as Billy Idol, was born in Stanmore, England.
1958: Moves to the U.S.
In 1958, at the age of two, William Michael Albert Broad (Billy Idol) moved with his parents to the U.S. and settled in Patchogue, New York.
1971: Moves to Bromley
In 1971, when he was 15, William Michael Albert Broad's (Billy Idol's) family moved to Bromley, where he attended Ravensbourne School for Boys.
October 1975: Attends University of Sussex
In October 1975, William Michael Albert Broad (Billy Idol) began attending the University of Sussex to pursue a Philosophy with Literature degree.
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.
1976: Leaves University of Sussex
In 1976, William Michael Albert Broad (Billy Idol) left the University of Sussex after one year. He later joined the Bromley Contingent.
1977: Sings on TV series Marc
In 1977, Billy Idol sang "Your Generation" on the TV series Marc.
1980: Performs in film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage
In 1980, Generation X performed in the film D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage before disbanding.
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.
November 1983: Discusses Billy Idol Name
In an interview in November 1983, Billy Idol discussed the origin and meaning of his stage name, describing it as a "double thing" and part of the old English school of rock.
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.
1984: Musical Style
In 1984, a Rolling Stone critic labeled Billy Idol's debut EP and solo release, Don't Stop, as dance-rock, but on his self-titled debut album, he transitioned to "mainstream power rock". He also experimented with synth-pop in "Eyes Without a Face" (1984).
1984: Establishment of MTV Video Music Awards
In 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards was established as an annual awards ceremony by MTV.
1986: Acoustic Experimentation
In 1986, Billy Idol experimented with acoustic sounds in "Sweet Sixteen".
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.
1988: Birth of Son Willem
In 1988, Billy Idol's son, Willem, was born with his partner 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, Perri Lister.
February 1990: Motorcycle Accident
On 6 February 1990, Billy Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in Hollywood, requiring a steel rod to be placed in his leg.
1990: Motorcycle Accident
In 1990, Billy Idol broke his leg in a motorcycle accident.
1990: Jazz Experimentation
In 1990, Billy Idol experimented with jazz in "Endless Sleep".
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: Greatest Hits Live Acoustic
In 1993, Billy Idol had a live acoustic version of "Rebel Yell", taken from a performance at Los Angeles station KROQ's Acoustic Christmas concert.
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: Overdose Incident
In 1994, Billy Idol collapsed outside a Los Angeles nightclub due to an overdose of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).
1994: Records and Releases Speed
In 1994, Billy Idol recorded and released the single "Speed", which was featured in the film soundtrack album.
1996: Performs in The Who's Quadrophenia
In 1996, Billy Idol appeared in a live version of The Who's Quadrophenia.
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.
2002: NRL Grand Final Performance
In 2002, Billy Idol's half-time entertainment performance at the NRL Grand Final in Sydney ended abruptly due to a power failure.
2003: End of Hard Drug Use
After a drug overdose in 1994, Billy Idol stopped his hard drug use by 2003, deciding that his children would never forgive him if he died from an overdose.
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 2006: Soundstage Performance
In June 2006, Billy Idol performed at the Congress Theater, Chicago, for the United States television series Soundstage.
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.
October 2014: Talks about name in BBC Breakfast Interview
In an interview for BBC Breakfast in October 2014, Billy Idol 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.
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.
2014: Memoir Details Drug Struggles and Current Habits
In his 2014 memoir, Billy Idol discussed his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction. He mentioned he had not taken hard drugs since 2003 but still smoked cannabis and occasionally drank.
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.
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 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.
2024: Grandfather to Three Granddaughters
As of 2024, Billy Idol has three granddaughters.
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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