Billy Idol was born on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, England, and moved to the U.S. at the age of two before returning to England four years later.
Idol first gained fame as the lead singer of the punk band Generation X, which was one of the first punk bands to appear on BBC's Top of the Pops.
Idol has a son, Willem, and a daughter, Bonnie, and in 2023, he revealed he has another son, Brant Broad, discovered through a DNA test.
Biography
Early Life
William Michael Albert Broad, known to the world as Billy Idol, was born on November 30, 1955, in Stanmore, England. He was raised in a family with Irish and English roots, with his mother being an Irish housewife and his father an English salesman. At the age of two, Idol moved to the United States with his family, settling in Patchogue, New York, before returning to England four years later. Idol's teenage years were spent in Bromley, where he attended Ravensbourne School for Boys and later Worthing High School for Boys. He briefly pursued a degree in Philosophy with Literature at the University of Sussex but left after one year to immerse himself in the burgeoning punk rock scene.
Career
Idol's music career began in the late 1970s when he joined the punk band Chelsea as a guitarist. However, he soon co-founded Generation X, where he took on the role of lead singer. The band gained recognition for their unique blend of punk and pop, becoming one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC's Top of the Pops. Idol's solo career took off in the 1980s, marked by hits like "Dancing with Myself" and the iconic album "Rebel Yell," which solidified his status as a leading figure in the MTV-driven music scene. His sound evolved over the years, incorporating elements of dance-rock, glam punk, and hard rock, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Personal Life
Despite his fame, Idol has maintained a relatively private personal life. He has never married but has a son, Willem, from a long-term relationship with English singer Perri Lister, and a daughter, Bonnie, from another relationship. In 2023, he publicly acknowledged another son, Brant Broad, discovered through a DNA test. Idol has faced struggles with addiction but has turned his life around, focusing on fitness and recovery. He is also a motorcycle enthusiast, particularly fond of Harley Davidsons, and has shared his journey in his memoir, "Dancing with Myself," released in 2014. Idol continues to be a prominent figure in music, celebrated for his contributions to rock and pop culture.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Dream Into It2025
- 1.Dream Into It5:05
- 2.772:54
- 3.Too Much Fun3:20
- 4.John Wayne4:16
- 5.Wildside3:37
- 6.People I Love3:40
- 7.Gimme the Weight3:49
- 8.I’m Your Hero4:22
- 9.Still Dancing3:47
Night Flight, Vol. 1: The Billy Idol Interview2020
- 1.Night Flight Theme1:03
- 2.Did You Always Want to Be a Rock Star?2:14
- 3.Fighting the Flabbiness of the Music Business0:59
- 4.What Happened to the Punk Scene?1:20
- 5.Punk Rock Isn’t Meant to Last2:11
- 6.The British Scene1:29
- 7.Creative Autonomy1:04
- 8.Evolving in the ’80s0:47
- 9.Being a Social Person2:11
- 10.“I Ain’t a Rock Star”0:44
- 11.Who Were You Before You Became Billy Idol?1:34
- 12.Walking Down the Streets of New York City1:38
- 13.Violence in Music Videos2:23
- 14.Hypocrisy in America2:34
- 15.What Would You Have Done If You Hadn’t Become a Rock Star?1:22
- 16.The Audience Goes Wild!1:33
- 17.Apologizing for Success2:49
- 18.The Perversion of Punk1:47
- 19.Eyes Without a Face2:12
Vital Idol: Revitalized2018
- 1.White Wedding (CRAY remix)3:28
- 2.Dancing With Myself (RAC remix)3:34
- 3.Eyes Without a Face (Tropkillaz remix)3:50
- 4.Rebel Yell (The Crystal Method remix)5:23
- 5.(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows (Moby remix)4:21
- 6.Flesh for Fantasy (St Francis Hotel remix)3:37
- 7.Catch My Fall (Juan Maclean remix)5:32
- 8.One Breath Away (Paul Oakenfold remix)3:22
- 9.To Be a Lover (DJDS remix)3:04
- 10.Don’t Need a Gun (Shiba San remix)3:27
- 11.Hot in the City (Shotgun Mike remix)3:09
- 12.Mony Mony (Idol/Stevens remix)5:42
- 13.One Breath Away (Paul Oakenfold remix / extended version)4:58
- 14.(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows (Moby remix / Half Speed version)4:31
- 15.Save Me Now (Lost Dog remix)4:43
Starboulevard2014
Tracklist not collected yet.
Kings & Queens of the Underground2014
- 1.Bitter Pill3:58
- 2.Can’t Break Me Down3:43
- 3.Save Me Now4:32
- 4.One Breath Away4:10
- 5.Postcards From the Past4:21
- 6.Kings & Queens of the Underground4:54
- 7.Eyes Wide Shut4:30
- 8.Ghosts in My Guitar4:48
- 9.Nothing to Fear4:40
- 10.Love and Glory4:29
- 11.Whiskey and Pills3:43
Icon2013
- 1.Dancing With Myself4:50
- 2.White Wedding (Pt. 1)4:13
- 3.Hot in the City3:33
- 4.Rebel Yell4:47
- 5.Eyes Without a Face4:57
- 6.Flesh for Fantasy4:38
- 7.Catch My Fall3:41
- 8.To Be a Lover3:52
- 9.Don't Need a Gun5:24
- 10.Sweet Sixteen4:15
- 11.Mony Mony (live)4:08
So80s (Soeighties) Presents: Billy Idol2012
- 1.Dancing With Myself (Uptown mix)5:59
- 2.Rebel Yell (full length version)4:48
- 3.To Be a Lover (Rock ’n’ Roll mix)7:14
- 4.Eyes Without a Face (full length version)4:58
- 5.Hot in the City (extended version)5:21
- 6.Catch My Fall (special remix)3:43
- 7.White Wedding, Parts I & II (Shotgun mix)8:26
- 8.Flesh for Fantasy (Below the Belt mix)7:06
- 9.Don’t Need a Gun (Melt Down mix)7:05
- 10.Mony Mony (Hung Like a Pony mix)7:03
- 11.L.A. Woman (full length version)5:32
- 12.Cradle of Dub (extended mix)6:29
- 13.Sweet Sixteen (full length version)4:16
Billy Idol / Rebel Yell2011
- 1.Come On, Come On3:59
- 2.White Wedding - Part 14:13
- 3.Hot in the City3:38
- 4.Dead on Arrival3:56
- 5.Nobody's Business4:08
- 6.Love Calling4:58
- 7.Hole in the Wall4:11
- 8.Shooting Stars4:32
- 9.It's So Cruel5:10
- 10.Dancing With Myself3:17
- 11.Rebel Yell4:48
- 12.Daytime Drama4:04
- 13.Eyes Without a Face4:58
- 14.Blue Highway5:07
- 15.Flesh for Fantasy4:38
- 16.Catch My Fall3:43
- 17.Crank Call3:59
- 18.(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows3:12
- 19.The Dead Next Door3:53
- 20.Rebel Yell5:27
- 21.Motorbikin' (session take)4:17
- 22.Catch My Fall (original demo)4:11
- 23.Flesh for Fantasy (session take)5:09
- 24.Blue Highway (original demo)4:59
10 Great Songs2009
- 1.Rebel Yell4:48
- 2.To Be a Lover3:54
- 3.White Wedding, Part 14:13
- 4.Eyes Without a Face4:58
- 5.Mony Mony5:00
- 6.Catch My Fall3:42
- 7.Flesh for Fantasy4:38
- 8.Dancing With Myself4:52
- 9.Hot in the City3:34
- 10.Sweet Sixteen4:16
Idolize Yourself: The Very Best of Billy Idol2008
- 1.Dancing With Myself4:52
- 2.Hot in the City3:34
- 3.White Wedding, Part 14:13
- 4.Rebel Yell4:48
- 5.Eyes Without a Face4:58
- 6.Flesh for Fantasy4:38
- 7.Catch My Fall3:42
- 8.To Be a Lover3:54
- 9.Don't Need a Gun5:25
- 10.Sweet Sixteen4:16
- 11.Mony, Mony (live)5:00
- 12.Cradle of Love4:40
- 13.L.A. Woman4:05
- 14.Shock to the System3:38
- 15.Speed4:18
- 16.World Comin' Down3:34
- 17.John Wayne4:15
- 18.New Future Weapon3:56
- 19.Fractured4:28
Happy Holidays2006
- 1.Frosty the Snowman2:28
- 2.Silver Bells2:42
- 3.Happy Holiday2:04
- 4.Merry Christmas Baby4:08
- 5.White Christmas2:33
- 6.Here Comes Santa Claus2:02
- 7.God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen2:57
- 8.Santa Claus Is Back in Town3:21
- 9.Let It Snow2:28
- 10.Winter Wonderland2:20
- 11.Run Rudolph Run3:02
- 12.Blue Christmas2:27
- 13.Jingle Bell Rock2:03
- 14.Christmas Love4:00
- 15.Oh Christmas Tree4:32
- 16.Silent Night2:18
- 17.Auld Lang Syne1:21
Devil's Playground2005
- 1.Super Overdrive4:18
- 2.World Comin’ Down3:33
- 3.Rat Race4:18
- 4.Sherri3:17
- 5.Plastic Jesus4:53
- 6.Scream4:43
- 7.Yellin’ at the Xmas Tree4:14
- 8.Romeo’s Waiting3:43
- 9.Body Snatcher3:57
- 10.Evil Eye4:33
- 11.Lady Do or Die4:37
- 12.Cherie3:47
- 13.Summer Running4:31
Live in Glen Allen, VA2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
Live in Asbury Park, NJ2003
Tracklist not collected yet.
VH1 Storytellers2002
Tracklist not collected yet.
Greatest Hits2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
Cyberpunk1993
Tracklist not collected yet.
Idol Rocks1991
Tracklist not collected yet.
Charmed Life1990
Tracklist not collected yet.
Idol Songs: 11 of the Best1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Whiplash Smile1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
An Interview With Billy Idol, Vol.1/No.21986
Tracklist not collected yet.
Vital Idol1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Rebel Yell1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
Billy Idol1982
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Chrysalis Records
Groups
- Generation Sexcurrent
- Chelseaguitar, original · 1976–1976
- Generation Xlead vocals, original · 1976–1981
- Neurotic Outsiderslead vocals, original · 1995–1995
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Albert Broad, B.Idol, Bili Idol, Bilie Idol, Billi Idol, Billie Idol
William Michael Albert Broad, known professionally as Billy Idol, is an English rock singer. He achieved fame in the 1970s on the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of Generation X. He later embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made him a lead artist during the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" in America.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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