Billy Idol
By Kim Atchue-Cusella
William Michael Albert Broad was born on November 30, 1955, in Middlesex, England. Upon leaving university after a year, Broad realized that he could front a punk band, and took on the name Billy Idol.
Idol played guitar for a group called Chelsea, and when that didn't work out, he decided to drop the guitar and take up position as the lead singer. He helped form the group Generation X with a few guys, recorded a couple of albums, and when it all fell apart, packed up and moved to New York City. New York is where his solo career was launched. With hits like "White Wedding" and "Dancing With Myself," Billy Idol has clearly left his mark on the music scene.
After a 12-year hiatus, Billy Idol is back with Devil's Playground , and we were lucky enough to sit down and talk to him about his album, his drug overdose and his take on piracy (not the scurvy kind).
AM:
Great album; the thing that comes to mind is that it is your first studio album in 12 years. What came over you to get you back in the studio?
Billy: We put out a greatest hits in 2001, we used that to forge the band on Devil's Playground. It's been about five years working up to this point. We have added a whole dimension to Billy Idol. We found the right personalities -- it's not just a pick-up band. It is a great mixture of old and new.
AM:
Did it bother you when Steve Stevens went over to play with Vince Neil?
Billy: Steve had a couple of solo albums to do, it is as simple as that. I had moved from New York to L.A., so it was what was going to happen anyway. There was a lot pressure because we were trying to follow up the last hit. I am glad we could put it back together because he is fantastic.
AM:
He is definitely one of the geniuses when it comes to wielding the axe. When you launched your career, in the '80s, you definitely benefitted from MTV. What are your thoughts on the state of music these days?
Billy:
It is always easy to cast dispersions. I don't think that is Billy Idol's place. I think it is a lot more fun for me. I love all these new bands. I love being involved. The other day we played with all these new bands, Coldplay, The Foo Fighters, Social Distortion , more >>
