Billy Idol, pseudonym of William Michael Albert Broad, is a British singer and songwriter born on November 30, 1955 in Stanmore (England). Born to an English father and an Irish mother, in 1958 he moved with his family to Patchogue (New York). The family returned to England four years later and settled in Dorking, Surrey. In 1971, they moved to Bromley in South East London where Billy attended Ravensbourne School for Boys. In 1976, he joined the rock band 'Chelsea' but the real starting point of Billy Idol's musical career came towards the end of that year. Together with guitarist William Broad, drummer John Towe and bassist Tony James, they founded the rock group "Generation X" and Billy Idol abandoned the guitar to be the frontman and singer of the new band. On February 16, 1977, the band entered a recording studio for the first time ("De Lane Lea Studios" in Wembley) to record a five-song demo session. In two years, Generation X had six singles on the UK Singles Chart and two albums on the UK Albums Chart. 'Generation X' were one of the first punk bands to appear on the BBC Television music program 'Top of the Pops'. After the disbandment of "Generetion X", in 1981 Billy Idol moved to New York to work with Bill Aucoin (former manager of "Kiss") and pursue a solo career. Billy's first record release was in 1981 with “Chrysalis Records”; the EP was entitled "Don't Stop" and included the song "Dancing with Myself" by "Generation X". In 1982, Idol achieved international success with the songs "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself" and in that 'year, the two music videos were among the most played on the music channel "MTV".Idol's second LP "Rebel Yell" (1983), achieved resounding success thanks to the singles "Rebel Yell", "Eyes Without A Face" and "Flesh For Fantasy". "Eyes Without A Face" reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and "Rebel Yell" reached number six on the UK Singles Chart". In 1986, Billy Idol released the hit album “Whiplash Smile” which included the hits "To Be a Lover", "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen". In 1994, he recorded and released the single "Speed"; song included as the first track on the homonymous soundtrack of the film with Keanu Reeves.
Album
1982 - Billy Idol
1983 - Rebel Yell
1985 - Vital Idol
1986 - Whiplash Smile
1990 - Charmed Life
1993 - Cyberpunk
2004 - Devil's Playground
2006 - Happy Holidays
2014 - Kings & Queen Of The Underground
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