Billy Idol
8 vinyl records found
Billy Idol emerged from the London punk scene with Generation X in the late 1970s before becoming a defining figure of MTV's Second British Invasion as a solo artist. His synth-driven new wave-influenced sound and striking visual presence made him one of the biggest rock stars of the 1980s, with multiple platinum albums and enduring radio hits.
About Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad started his career in late 1976 as a guitarist in the punk band Chelsea, but quickly moved on to form Generation X with Tony James. The band found significant traction in the UK, releasing three studio albums on Chrysalis Records before dissolving. In 1981, Idol relocated to New York and began his solo venture with guitarist Steve Stevens, a partnership that would define his sound. His 1982 debut album Billy Idol achieved immediate commercial success, with music videos for "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding" becoming MTV staples during the network's early years.
Idol's 1983 follow-up, Rebel Yell, became his commercial peak, reaching double platinum status in the US and spawning the title track and "Eyes Without a Face" as major singles. He maintained momentum through the rest of the decade with Whiplash Smile (1986) and a platinum-certified greatest hits package, Idol Songs: 11 of the Best (1988). His run continued into the 1990s with Charmed Life (1990) and the concept album Cyberpunk (1993), though he stepped back from public life for much of the latter half of that decade. He returned to recording with Devil's Playground (2005) and Kings & Queens of the Underground (2014).
The Groove Hunter currently tracks 6 editions across his catalog, including both Rebel Yell and The Very Best Of Billy Idol: Idolize Yourself, making it easy to spot the various pressings and reissues that have circulated since his initial runs.
![Happy Holidays [LP] by Billy Idol — album cover](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UActzzzLL._SY300_SX300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg)
