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| Birth Name(s) : William Michael Albert Broad |
Date of Birth: N/A |
| Status:
Single
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Partner:
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| Profession:
Musician |
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Full Billy Idol Biography
Billy Idol was born (born William Michael Albert Broad. With his peroxide dyed hair, a gravely voice, and an Elvis Presley sneer, Billy became a cultural icon during the 1980's. He first achieved fame as the lead singer of the punk band Generation X, and When that band broke-up, Billy moved to New York where he met guitarist Steve Stevens. The two of them set out to make punk music, "sexier." Billy recorded a series of hit singles, aided with stylish videos that made him one of the first stars of, "MTV." Billy continues to tour with Steve Stevens and record music.
In 1975, William decided to start his own band called The Rockettes. William met another person that shared his musical dreams when he met Tony James. Tony was interested in starting a band too. Much to the dismay of his parents, William decided to drop out of school to focus on music.
Generation X couldn't hold itself together and the members soon parted ways. Producer Keith Forsey and Bill Aucoin took hold of Billy Idol's career and quickly moved him to New York in hopes of capturing an American audience.
A few of Billy's songs could be heard playing in the New York dance clubs. "Dancing With Myself" had been remixed, and Billy heard the song being played at a club one night. The idea was to capitalize on the song's popularity by re-releasing it on his own.
Billy's self titled LP was released in 1982. Billy was having a hard time getting played on the radio, and he knew he needed another outlet. That outlet would be the recently created MTV network. Billy became a household name when his videos for "White Wedding" and "Dancing with Myself" made their debut.
Idol's second LP, Rebel Yell (1984) was a blockbuster success, and established Idol's superstar status in the United States with hits like "Eyes Without a Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", and the title cut; Idol also became very popular in Europe thanks to this album and its singles, particularly in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and later in his native UK.
Steve Stevens parted ways with Idol after Whiplash Smile. He claims that Billy's music was getting too synthesized and sequenced. Steve also thought that Billy was getting tense about all of the attenton he was getting as a guitar player. Stevens was offered a record deal through Warner Brothers that he couldn't refuse, so he decided it was time to split up with Idol.
Billy ran into trouble when he was busted by under cover police in New York City for carrying crack cocaine. A model by the name of Grace Hattersley had been with him and held a press conference basically saying that she was involved with Billy Idol. Perri took the news quite badly, and decided to hold a press conference of her own, telling the world that she was Billy's girlfriend.
In 1989, Following his breakup with Perri, Idol found his way to Thailand. Billy claimed that he could get any drug he wanted over there, and had many women at his disposal. Newspapers said that Idol left his suites at three deluxe hotels in Thailand in shambles during his visit, with damage estimated at more than $20,000. Idol first checked in at the Oriental Hotel in central Bangkok, where carpets and a television set were among the ruined items. He paid $3,200 in damages before moving on to another hotel. Billy was ejected from Bangkok with the help of the army after refusing to vacate a hotel penthouse where a three-week drug-and-sex spree had racked up a bill of about $250,000. It was reported that an important dignitary wanted the room and Billy refused to give it up.
Billy had been working on a new album for close to two years. In February of 1990, Billy was driving back to the studio to hear the final album, and was involved is a serious motorcycle accident. He had run a stop sign and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The accident almost cost Billy his leg. The doctor that first saw Billy was upset that someone had brought him down to look at a "bum". It was explained to the doctor that the patient was Billy Idol. Billy's leg was cracked in three places and was suffering from a few broken ribs. His doctors managed to pull him through and save his leg through a lengthy operation and skin grafting.
Against his doctors orders, Billy decided to tour behind the "Charmed Life" album. Billy could be seen walking with a cane onstage. He got his personal jewelery maker, "Robin the Hammer" to customize a silver gauntlet for him. The gauntlet has "La Vie Enchantee" etched in the wrist. Robin also designed a large cross/knife necklace that can be seen in the "Cradle of Love" video.
Billy shot a concept video for "Shock to the System." The video would feature Billy being attacked by several police for trying to videotape them beating up someone on the street. The idea of this goes back to the LA riots. Billy would then turn into a cyborg that scared away the police. A video EP was released to retail stores.
Billy had a lot of grand ideas for Cyberpunk and the short tour that followed. He changed his look during this period, growing a set of dreadlocks, and had a lot of ideas about using "Blendo" video footage during his show. Colorful footage and images would be edited live on a computer to fit the music. |
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