Billy Idol, the British punk rocker who became an iconic ‘80s rock star, says the thrill of performing never fades, even after nearly 50 years in music.
“You would think it would get boring,” Idol told LAist, reflecting on performing his signature hit Rebel Yell, “but no, actually, it’s almost more exciting. It’s a high that doesn’t fade.”
Story Highlights:
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Billy Idol describes performing Rebel Yell as a “high that doesn’t fade.”
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New documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead covers his near-fatal heroin overdose and serious motorcycle accident.
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Idol reflects on Generation X, punk influence, and personal identity.
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Credited Bowie, Lou Reed, and John Lennon for inspiring self-expression.
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Helped define MTV-era music video style with director David Fincher.
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Current tour continues across South America after recent shows with Joan Jett.
Even decades into his career, Idol finds magic in each stage appearance. “The old songs don’t seem to get old,” he added, describing the lasting energy of his live shows.
Idol spoke ahead of the premiere of Billy Idol Should Be Dead, a new documentary that chronicles his life, career, and near-death experiences. The documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this summer, explores the singer’s personal struggles, including a near-fatal heroin overdose in 1984 and a serious motorcycle accident in 1990.
“The documentary shows a period of my life that was intense,” Idol said. “There was just like a 10-year period where I was a bit of a drug addict. But I’ve always lived a little bit on the edge. It was part of exploring the world we were going into—the music world.”
Idol’s reflections offer a glimpse into how the rebellious spirit of punk rock shaped his career. “We were just embracing that freedom of that kind of lifestyle that we’d dreamt of,” he said.
He credited musical legends like David Bowie, Lou Reed, and John Lennon for inspiring him to find his own identity. “They were always telling you to find out who you are and be it. That’s what I did. I found out who I was, and that’s what you’ve been listening to,” he said.
Before going solo in 1981, Idol gained fame with the punk band Generation X. Though often labeled punk, he rejected rigid genre definitions. “Punk wasn’t a uniform look or sound. It meant your vision of what punk was. What we did in Generation X—that’s kind of my answer. My solo career has been my answer to the ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s,” Idol explained.
At the height of MTV, Idol also played a key role in defining the music video aesthetic. Collaborating with then-up-and-coming directors like David Fincher, he developed a visual style that became iconic.
In the music video for Cradle of Love, filmed shortly after Idol’s motorcycle accident, Fincher had to work around Idol’s injury.
“I couldn’t bend my leg,” Idol said. “David Fincher had this idea about me being a sort of picture on the wall that would come to life. I could just be on this box kind of leaning forward, and it would look like I’m in action.”
Idol’s current tour, which recently included a show at the Kia Forum with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, now heads to South America. Even decades later, Billy Idol continues to command stages with the same energy that made him a global rock icon.
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