Billy Idol

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad in Middlesex, England in 1955. He dropped out of school at 16 and got his start in London's punk scene, playing with bands like Chelsea and Generation X before going solo in 1981. That's when he teamed up with guitarist Steve Stevens, a partnership that would define much of his sound.

His 1983 album 'Billy Idol' broke through with 'Eyes Without a Face,' a song that became an unlikely hit with its moody, synth-driven atmosphere. Around the same time, 'Rebel Yell' and 'White Wedding' became staples of MTV and rock radio, blending a sneering punk attitude with polished, anthemic production. 'Dancing With Myself,' originally recorded with Generation X, got a new wave makeover and joined the set.

Idol's career has had its rough patches, including a serious motorcycle accident in 1994. He's kept recording over the decades, putting out albums like 'Charmed Life,' 'Cyberpunk,' and more recently 'The Roadside' in 2023. The songs have changed some, but that mix of leather-jacket rebellion and big choruses has stayed recognizable.