|
Billy Idol
| |
|
| |
|
Miami Vice Performer
|
|
|
Born
|
November 30, 1955, Stanmore, England
|
|
Active
|
1975-present
|
William Michael Albert Broad (born November 30, 1955, Stanmore, England) is an English rock singer known as Billy Idol, whose songs "Don't Need a Gun" (from "Down for the Count (Part II)", "Flesh for Fantasy" (from "The Rising Sun of Death"), and "Sweet Sixteen" (from "Honor Among Thieves?") appeared in the series Miami Vice.
Career[]
Idol began his career as part of the English punk rock scene, co-founding Generation X in 1977. After the group broke up in 1981, Idol recorded his debut EP, Don't Stop, which featured "Dancing With Myself" and "Mony, Mony" (remaking Tommy James' classic song), then his self-titled debut studio album was released, and with the songs "White Wedding", "Hot In The City", and "...Myself", he became an instant MTV hit. Idol's followup, Rebel Yell, also was a hit, with his first Top 10 single, "Eyes Without A Face", and his other singles, "Rebel Yell" and "Flesh for Fantasy" also did well both on the charts and on MTV. His 1986 album Whiplash Smile did well, featuring the singles "Don't Need a Gun" and "Sweet Sixteen". In 1987 Vital Idol contained remixes of some of Idol's previous songs, and his only #1 hit, "Mony, Mony", was released. In 1990 Idol was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, nearly losing his leg and costing him a role in James Cameron's movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day. His album Charmed Life, released around the same time, included Idol's final Top 10 single, "Cradle of Love" (featuring a very seductive video shooting Idol from the waist up due to his injuries). Idol also appeared in the movie The Doors and toured despite having to use a cane to walk. Idol released another album in 1993 but by then the music tastes had changed and the 80's singers/bands had been wiped off the charts. Idol appeared in the movie The Wedding Singer and the VH-1 Behind The Music profile of him sparked renewed interest in the 80's superstar. He recorded studio albums in 2005 and 2014, had his 80's tracks appear in the video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band 2, and still tours today.