Billy Idol

Billy Idol

http://www.billyidol.com/
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Biography

Gelled into the memory with his bleach blond spikes and Sex Pistol sneer, Billy Idol became the punk superstar of the �80s. Starting life as William Broad in 1955, he twisted a description of him by his teacher � �idle � to rename himself as a parody of contemporary rock idols. Idol teamed with lyric writer and bass guitarist Tony James (later of Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Sisters of Mercy). Both joined the well-known punk legend Chelsea in its first incarnation, with Idol on the guitar. Idol and James subsequently left and formed Generation X, taking the name from a book about 60's youth rock culture.

Though Generation X never toured the US, they did take it by storm in 1980 with their single named �Dancing with Myself��, but their album bombed in the UK and a breakup duly followed. Disillusioned with his homeland, Idol made a pilgrimage to New York City, releasing an E.P. �Don't Stop� in 1981, followed by the seminal �Mony Mony�. Idol then found raven-haired, spikey-top, veteran New York guitarist Steve Stevens and they released four records together, including the classic �Rebel Yeh�. For many, Idol was last seen in a cameo role alongside Adam Sandler in �The Wedding Singer�. He has since revived his singing career and is recording new material.

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