Billy Idol Merchandise

Billy Idol (born William Michael Albert Broad on November 30, 1955 in Middlesex, England) is an English hard rock musician. Idol lived in Worthing before attending Sussex University for only a year before joining the Bromley Contingent of keen Sex Pistols fans. During this period, Idol decided to become a musician and formed a band called Generation X in 1976 (see 1976 in music). Generation X signed to Chrysalis Records and released three successful albums before breaking up. Idol moved to New York City and began working as a solo artist and working with Steve Stevens, soon becoming MTV staples with "White Wedding" (below right) and "Dancing with Myself". Idol"s second LP, Rebel Yell (1984, 1984 in music) was a blockbuster success and established Idol"s superstar status in the United States. Idol did not release a new album until 1986 (see 1986 in music); Whiplash Smile sold very well and proved to be a smash-hit. Stevens soon left for a solo career and Idol continued. A cover of Tommy James" "Mony Mony" did well on MTV and Idol played Cousin Kevin in a performance of Tommy. Just before the release of Charmed Life in 1990 (see 1990 in music), Idol was in a motorcycle accident in which he almost lost his leg.