Billy Idol
Musician
William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, is a musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol one of the lead artists during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in the United States.
The name "Billy Idol" was inspired by a school teacher's description of him as "idle". In an interview on 21 November 1983, Idol said the name "was a bit of a goof, but also part of the old English school of rock. Billy Fury and all that. It was a 'double thing' not just a poke at the superstar-like people ... It was fun, you know?" In another interview for BBC Breakfast in October 2014, he said that he wanted to be "Billy Idle" but thought he could not because of Monty Python star Eric Idle, and so chose Idol instead.
Subject ID: 77854
MoreWilliam Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, is a musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He first achieved fame in the 1970s as a member of the punk rock band Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol one of the lead artists during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in the United States.
The name "Billy Idol" was inspired by a school teacher's description of him as "idle". In an interview on 21 November 1983, Idol said the name "was a bit of a goof, but also part of the old English school of rock. Billy Fury and all that. It was a 'double thing' not just a poke at the superstar-like people ... It was fun, you know?" In another interview for BBC Breakfast in October 2014, he said that he wanted to be "Billy Idle" but thought he could not because of Monty Python star Eric Idle, and so chose Idol instead.
Idol began his career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk rock band Chelsea. However, he soon left the group and along with his bandmate Tony James formed Generation X with Idol being the lead singer. The band achieved success in the United Kingdom and released three albums on Chrysalis Records before disbanding. In 1981, Idol moved to New York City to pursue his solo career in collaboration with guitarist Steve Stevens. His debut studio album Billy Idol (1982) was a commercial success and with music videos for singles "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" Idol soon became a staple of then newly established MTV.
Subject ID: 77854
Subject ID: 77854
