43 Facts About Billy Idol

Billy Idol first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of the group Generation X Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in the US.

The name "Billy Idol" was inspired by a schoolteacher's description of him as "idle".

In 1981, Billy Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens.

Billy Idol's debut studio album, Billy Idol, was a commercial success.

Billy Idol's second studio album, Rebel Yell, was a major commercial success, featuring hit singles "Rebel Yell" and "Eyes Without a Face".

Billy Idol then released Charmed Life and the concept album Cyberpunk.

Billy Idol spent the second half of the 1990s focusing on his personal life out of the public eye.

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad on 30 November 1955 in Stanmore, Middlesex, England.

Billy Idol's parents were devout Anglicans and attended church regularly.

Billy Idol is half Irish; his mother was born in Cork and is an O'Sullivan.

Billy Idol's younger sister, Jane, was born during this time.

In 1971, the family moved to Bromley in southeastern London, where Billy Idol attended Ravensbourne School for Boys.

The name "Billy Idol" was coined due to a chemistry teacher's description of Idol on his school report card as "idle".

Billy Idol has stated that the subject was one that he hated and in which he underachieved.

Billy Idol moved to New York City in 1981 and became a solo artist, working with former Kiss manager Bill Aucoin.

Idol's debut solo album Billy Idol was released in July 1982.

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.

Billy Idol filmed a video for the song "Sweet Sixteen" in Florida's Coral Castle.

Billy Idol used Studiovision and Pro Tools to record the album.

Billy Idol toured in Europe and played a Generation X reunion show in 1993.

Billy Idol recorded and released the single "Speed" in 1994; the song was featured as first track in the homonymous movie soundtrack album.

Billy Idol appeared in a 1996 live version of the Who's Quadrophenia.

Billy Idol made a cameo appearance as himself in the 1998 film The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler, in which Billy Idol played a pivotal role in the plot.

Billy Idol's contribution was on the song "Into the Night", which he co-wrote.

Billy Idol played a handful of dates on the 2005 Vans Warped Tour and appeared at the Download Festival at Donington Park, the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans, and Rock am Ring.

Billy Idol embarked on a worldwide tour, co-headlining with Def Leppard.

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

On 16 February 2010, Billy Idol was announced as one of the acts to play at the Download Festival in Donington Park, England.

In 2013, Billy Idol appeared on the third episode of the BBC Four series How the Brits Rocked America.

Billy Idol lent his voice as Spikey Hair Bot to Disney XD's Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja episode "McSatchle".

In late February 2020, Idol starred in a public service campaign with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police titled "Billy Never Idles", intended to fight the unnecessary idling of automobile engines in New York City, to reduce air pollution.

Billy Idol was a guest vocalist on the song "Night Crawling" from Miley Cyrus' album Plastic Hearts, released in November 2020.

In March 2022, Billy Idol was diagnosed with MRSA, which forced him to cancel a co-headlining tour with Journey.

On 6 January 2023, Billy Idol was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Billy Idol has never married, but had a long-term relationship with English singer, dancer, and former Hot Gossip member Perri Lister.

Billy Idol has a daughter, Bonnie Blue, from a relationship with Linda Mathis.

On 6 February 1990 in Hollywood, Billy Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that nearly cost him a leg.

Billy Idol was hit by a car when he ran a stop sign while riding home from the studio one night, requiring a steel rod to be placed in his leg.

Billy Idol had been James Cameron's first choice for the role of the villainous T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day ; the role was recast as a result of the accident.

In 1994, Billy Idol collapsed outside a Los Angeles nightclub due to an overdose of the drug GHB.

In 2014, Billy Idol stated that he had not taken hard drugs since 2003, but added that he smoked marijuana regularly and was an occasional drinker.

In 2018, Billy Idol became an American citizen during a ceremony in Los Angeles, while retaining his British citizenship.

In 2023, Billy Idol played the first concert in history at the Hoover Dam.