Billy Idol (Idol Billy), the name given at birth - William Michael Albert Broad, vocalist, actor, rock musician, was born on November 30, 1955 in the UK in the town of Stanmore Middlesex.
The Broad family was religious and attended church regularly. And little William was even a servant in St. Mary’s Church, but when he was caught kissing a girl, he was kicked out of the organization.
In 1975 he entered the University of Sussex, where he studied English and philosophy. It was then that the birth of punk style, which fell to the liking of young Michael, and six months later he becomes a member of the punk movement “Bromley Contingent”.
In 1976, Billy decided to drop out of university and immerse himself in his favorite activity – music. While still at university, Billy became the guitarist of the rock band Chelsea, but then, in 1977, together with a friend - bassist Tony James, formed the group Generation X. The band acquired listening and recognizable status after their debut album, which was released the following year.
A year later, the next album “Valley of the Dolls” was released. And by the end of the year - the single "King Rocker" is released, which deservedly took the twentieth place of the charts in the UK. In 1991, the band broke up, and Billy immigrated to America, where he began his solo career.
Arriving in New York, Billy meets the manager (former!) of the group “Kiss” – Bill Okane, with whose help the album “Don’t Stop” is released, it also includes the song “Dancing with myself” from the music of “Generation X”. The single for the album with the name "Hot in the city" - successfully passed on the charts of America, and clips made for songs were often transmitted on MTV.
In 1983, the double-platinum album Rebel Yell was released. It was the author’s favorite album, and the best-selling. In support of this album, Billy toured for more than 10 months.
In early 1990, on a motorcycle, Idol was in an accident, and in an incredible way survived, the doctors were talking even about the amputation of the leg, but everything ended safely.
And despite all the prohibitions of doctors, Billy records the CD "Charmed Life", which later became platinum. Then, he wrote the single “Speed”, which became the soundtrack to the famous film “Speed”, and Billy Idol tried his hand at cinematography – starred in the film “Doors”.
Billy Idol decided to move away from rock music in 1993 and began experimenting with techno beat. And only after 12 years, Billy returned to the stage - two albums "Devil's Playground" and "Happy Holidays" were released, in the last listener could see Christmas songs performed by the author.
In 2006, Billy Idol visited St. Petersburg, and in 2010 both capitals – Moscow and St. Petersburg, where he gave one concert. /
Generation X discography
1978 - Generation X
1979 Valley of the Dolls
1981 Kiss Me Deadly
Singles
1982 - Don't Stop
1982 - Billy Idol
1983 - Rebel Yell
1985 Vital Idol (collection)
1986 Whiplash Smile
Idol Songs: 11 of the Best (1988)
1990 Charmed Life
1993 Cyberpunk
2001 Greatest Hits (collection)
2001 VH1 Storytellers
2003 Essential Billy Idol (collection)
2005 Devil's Playground
2006 Happy Holidays
2008 The Very Best of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself
Filmography
1991 - Dorz
1996 - The Time of Mad Dogs / American Blobs
1998 - Singer at the wedding